Noelle M. Adams, RN, BSN, CCRN®
By Erin Flynn Jay
Noelle Adams, a Critical Care Registered Nurse (CCRN®) at PeaceHealth in Vancouver, Washington, has had a diverse career journey. She spent many years in critical care, transitioned into the medical device industry, and later returned to the bedside.
“I wanted a CCRN® certification for a long time, so I thought, let’s do it,” Adams said. She achieved her certification in August.
The Importance of Certification
When Adams began working in critical care about 20 years ago, she understood that certification mattered but felt it wasn’t strongly emphasized.
“It wasn’t really enforced how important it was for standardizing our care as nurses within the ICU,” she explained.
Over time, it became clear to her that certification was essential. “As someone coming back to the bedside, working a shift as a nurse, I thought I needed to be at a high level of function. I needed a goal of certification within the first year of being back at the bedside. October 15 marked my one-year anniversary back, and by August I certified as a CCRN®.”
Preparing for the Exam
Adams admits that earning her certification was not easy. She bought books, listened to webinars, and attended a two-day prep course taught by a local educator from Seattle.
She then supplemented the course with prep books and online content, creating a two-week study plan. Adams committed to studying two hours each day, focusing specifically on her weaker areas.
Her biggest takeaway? “I could have added an extra week of study,” she reflected.
Looking ahead, Adams plans to recertify by keeping up with continuing education credits, preferring not to repeat the exam process if possible.
The Rewards of Certification
At PeaceHealth, Adams now works in the cardiovascular intensive care unit. She says her hospital provides an hourly bonus for certified nurses, which she describes as “tremendous.” Certification is recognized with both a plaque in the unit and a badge distinction.
More importantly, she values what certification represents. “It demonstrates that nurses have in-depth knowledge of their specialty.”
Life in the ICU
A typical day for Adams begins at 6:30 a.m. PST with her assignment. “But things change very quickly,” she explained. “The acuity of the patient can change dramatically if someone needs intubation or if a new patient comes to you who is already intubated. It’s a dynamic environment. I am happy I returned to intensive care.”
Her favorite part of being a CCRN® is working directly at the bedside. “I help my patients the most by having a certain base of knowledge, but I am propelled to learn more,” she said. For example, she is eager to deepen her understanding of fluid balance in patients with complicated comorbidities requiring fluid resuscitation.
Evolving ICU Practices
Adams is especially encouraged by changes in family involvement within intensive care.
“In the past we’d take patients’ families away from the bedside and visits would be very brief,” she said. “Now there is much more transparency about what intensive care medicine can control and what is left up to chance. There’s a lot of gray area.”
Today, families often remain at the bedside for extended periods. This, Adams notes, increases their understanding of patient care and outcomes.
“If there are difficult decisions for the family to make on behalf of the patient, then the family can take comfort from an eyewitness perspective — knowing they have made the best decisions with the most updated information.”
Looking Ahead
Adams plans to pursue cardiovascular certification next. For now, she is proud of the journey that brought her back to critical care and motivated her to pursue CCRN® certification.
Get Started on Your Path
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➡️ Adult Critical Care Nurse Certification Overview
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