The topic I was assigned to debate, should all registered nurses be credentialed in their specialty areas, brought forth many discussions and opinions within the class.  I argued the pro side of the topic and felt I was effective and provided relevant and informative research. I will include in this summary what I learned, limitations in the research, and how I feel about credentials.  
What I learned
	This was the first time I did a debate and the first time I did a power point presentation for the class to view.  I learned that debating is not based on what I feel is right, it has to be proven with relevant research and information.  I found there was an extensive amount of information regarding credentials, especially regarding the positive side of credentials.  The literature included information such as what credentials do for the nurse and positive outcomes for the patients.  Cary, 2001; ABNS, 2006; & Miracle, 2002, all included that credentials have the potential to instil pride and a professional sense of commitment to the specialty area.  I always knew I wanted to attempt the Canadian Nurses Association exam for emergency room nursing, I know now the process and the intrinsic and extrinsic rewards that comes with the certification.  
Limitations in the literature
	There was no lack of finding articles addressing certification; I found the literature was abundant.  Although the literature was plentiful and easy to read, I found the majority of articles all focused on the same thing, external and internal rewards for the nurse.  The literature was positive regarding certification, but it could have focused more on how patients felt about certified nurses.  
Barriers to certification were addressed in some of the literature, but the authors such as Frank-Stromborg, Ward, Hughes, Brown, Coleman, Grindel- Gatson, & Miller-Murphy (2002) included barriers, but no resolution to the problems identified.  
There was a comment or two made from the class regarding if any research was patient focused rather then self reports from nurses.  Specialty certification was proven to have fewer adverse effects for patients according to (Wong, Scott, Briseno, Crawford, & Y.Hsu, 2009; McGuire, 2003; & Miracle, 2002), but all these authors were nurses or studied nurse groups.
	Another barrier I found in the research on the topic of specialty certification was the groups that were studied or questioned in the literature were from critical care, nephrology or operating room.  There was not a wide variety of specialty areas studied.  This puts a limitation on the pro side of credentials because it’s not focused on all specialty areas, just a select few.  
How I feel about certification
	I feel the same regarding obtaining my credentials for emergency room nursing.  I still want to pursue this; actually I have included obtaining my CNA certification for my 2010 competency goal.  I am a firm believer in education and feel that any education I can obtain that will further and strengthen my knowledge is worth striving for.  
	I still go to work nervous at what may come through the doors of the emergency department, and even though I realize the CNA exam will not prepare me for all situations I will encounter, it is another step in helping me become a more confident and knowledgeable person in emergency nursing.