In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Amy Grand.

Amy Grand is a passionate credentialing specialist with over 20 years of experience in high-stakes licensure and certification exams. In her role at BCEN, Amy leads the development and oversight of six national nursing specialty certifications, supporting more than 60,000 credentialed nurses worldwide.

Amy is a Certified Credentialing Professional® through the Institute for Credentialing Excellence. She earned her Master of Science in Medical-Surgical Nursing from the University of Michigan. She's also the President-Elect of the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification and has played a key role in launching groundbreaking programs, like the world’s first burn nursing certification, the CBRN. With an extensive background in exam development and a passion for advancing nursing excellence, Amy brings incredible insight into the world of specialty certification.

From her early days in critical care to her current work supporting BCEN’s six national nursing certifications, Amy has dedicated her career to advancing excellence in emergency nursing. Her role is vital to the credentialing of over 63,000 credential holders and coordinating the efforts of more than 100 subject matter experts.

This episode is called, "Life moves pretty fast-so does certification."

Amy can be reached by email at: agrand@bcen.org

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Harriet Hawkins

Harriet Hawkins is a nurse whose remarkable career in healthcare spans over five decades. Harriet began her journey in psychiatry in 1969 before moving into adult critical care and emergency medicine. In 1982, she joined Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago—now Lurie Children's Hospital—where she worked in the NICU and played a key role in launching the Neonatal Pediatric Critical Care Transport Team in 1985. Harriet also founded the hospital’s resuscitation program in 2001, expanding education in life-saving certifications such as ACLS, BLS, PALS, NRP, and more.

Beyond her clinical work, Harriet is deeply committed to community outreach and philanthropic service. She has been volunteering at her local homeless shelter since 1996, running a weekly clinic, and has participated in 28 humanitarian mission trips across nine countries. She remains actively involved with the Emergency Nurses Association at both the state and national levels.

From pediatric pearls to powerful life lessons, Harriet brings a depth of wisdom shaped by her rich nursing journey. Her passion for life and learning shines through every moment, making this conversation as inspiring as it is informative. Trust us you’ll be hoping for a part two before it's even over!

This episode is called, "The secret is to adjust your sails."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io

In this podcast episode we want to introduce you to our BCEN friend, Kathy Mace.

With over four decades of experience in emergency nursing, Kathy Mace brings a wealth of knowledge and dedication to supporting ED and burn nurses. Beginning her career as a nurse extern in 1976, she spent 33 years in the emergency department, working both at the bedside and in leadership roles. Kathy’s healthcare journey also includes time in the Recovery Room, House Supervisor role, and a decade with an electronic medical record company focused on ED clinicians. Since 2019, she has served as the Employer Relationship Manager at BCEN, where she continues to empower and support nurses in achieving their educational and professional goals.

This episode is called, "Building a legacy one day at a time."

BCEN & Friends Podcast is presented by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing. We invite you to visit us online at https://bcen.org for additional information about emergency nursing certification, education, and much more.

Episode introduction created using elevenlabs.io