CENP Faculty Spotlight: Stephan Davis

What do you think is the most important takeaway from the review course that helps participants feel prepared for the exam?
A distinguishing characteristic of the CENP exam, and perhaps the most important takeaway from the review course for some, is that it is a competency-based assessment. While many candidates bring a wealth of knowledge and leadership experience, success requires the ability to demonstrate mastery of the AONL competencies. The review course reinforces essential content and integrates practice questions with detailed rationales, enabling participants to link their professional expertise to the exam framework. Importantly, participants also benefit from the guidance of board-certified nurse executives and experienced educators, whose insights and strategies further strengthen preparation. This structured approach builds both competence and confidence as nurse leaders progress in their journey to become AONL-credentialed nurse executives. 

What motivated you to pursue CENP certification?
When I decided to pursue the CENP credential, I was already a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE) and held the Nurse Executive–Advanced, Board Certified (NEA-BC) credential. While I was not lacking in leadership certifications, I was motivated by the opportunity to obtain an external validation of my knowledge and expertise specifically in relation to the AONL competencies. Earning the designation uniquely aligns with the core competencies required of nurse executives and demonstrated not only my commitment to continuous professional growth but also my dedication to advancing the excellence and credibility of nurse executive leadership. In many ways, pursuing the CENP was about more than achieving another credential—it was about affirming my ability to lead at the highest level, grounded in the AONL framework that guides executive nursing practice.

How has becoming certified added value in your professional and/or personal life?
For me, the CENP credential continues to add tremendous value to my robust portfolio of certifications and fellowship designations because of its unique focus. Unlike other leadership credentials, it is directly tied to the AONL competencies, which makes it highly relevant to nurse executives and the environments in which we lead. Professionally, it signifies within the AONL community that a nurse leader has intentionally invested in competency development, demonstrating the kind of leadership modeling we want to see in practice. Personally, it has reinforced my own commitment to continuous growth and accountability as a leader. Consistent with transformational leadership (TL), achieving the CENP designation also reflects leading by example, aligned with the TL core principle of idealized influence and signals to others that the organizational journey to nursing excellence begins with advancing excellence within ourselves.