MADERA, Calif. – Certified Nurses Day, observed annually on March 19, recognizes nurses who have achieved certification in their specialty – an accomplishment that reflects rigorous expertise, dedication and a commitment to excellence in patient care.
To mark the day, certified nurses at Valley Children’s reflected on their inspirations, their challenges and what keeps them committed to providing exceptional care every single day.
What inspired you to become a nurse?
“I was really interested in the medical field when I was younger and started volunteering at Rady Children’s Hospital. The care the nurses showed to patients inspired me, and I knew it was what I wanted to do with my life.” – Candace Biberston, DNP, RN, CPN
“I have been passionate about working at Valley Children’s from a young age. I was born with a ventricular septal defect (VSD) and have been followed at the Valley Children’s cardiac clinic since birth. As a child, I remember telling my cardiologist, Dr. Prochazka, ‘I am going to be a nurse here one day.'” – Harjot Sandhu, RN, CPN
“My mom is a nurse [at Valley Children’s], so she inspired me to go into nursing – and now I also get to work with my sister, who is a nurse as well.” – Chandler Shaffer, MBA, BSN, RN, CPN
What do you love most about being a certified nurse?
“What I love most about being a nurse is the opportunity to support patients and families during their hospitalization. Having experienced the healthcare system as a patient myself, I understand what it feels like to be on the other side, which allows me to provide care with empathy and compassion.” – Harjot Sandhu, RN, CPN
“I love that it inspires me to keep learning and growing as a pediatric nurse.” – Candace Biberston, DNP, RN, CPN
What keeps you motivated during challenging days?
“I look at the patient and treat them like one of my own family members, and all else is secondary.” – Lori Ricci, BSN, RN, CNOR
“The kids and their families. You really do build a bond with them.” – Chandler Shaffer, MBA, BSN, RN, CPN
“What keeps me motivated on challenging days is remembering that these children are facing one of the hardest moments of their lives. They did not choose to be hospitalized, and many are scared of the unknown, which reinforces my commitment to being a source of comfort, advocacy and reassurance.” – Harjot Sandhu, RN, CPN
What does being a certified nurse mean to you, personally and professionally?
“I am honored to keep my professional skills and collaborative relationships certified to ensure I am providing ongoing excellent care. It has always been a part of my work goals to remain my best for my patients throughout my career.” – Lori Ricci, BSN, RN, CNOR
“I think becoming a certified nurse was a validation that the knowledge I gained over the years in my nursing career aligns with a national standard of excellence and reminds me of my commitment to grow professionally and be a lifelong learner.” – Candace Biberston, DNP, RN, CPN
“Being certified validates expertise in your field and for me, in the operating room. It reassures patients and families that my skills and knowledge are current in this ever-changing world of medicine and surgery. To me, being certified means that I have achieved recognition, established myself as a professional and can inspire others to do the same.” – Kris Scaffidi, BSN, RN, CNOR
“Personally, I feel like I am a better mom because of it. My kids see that I’m dedicated to what I do and work hard for it. I think it shows them to go after your dreams and enjoy your job. They know when I go to work that I’m taking care of children their age. Professionally, I think it helps you grow as a nurse. I have received many open doors professionally and opportunities to learn. Nursing is an ever-changing field; you never are the master, and that is what I like about it.” – Chandler Shaffer, MBA, BSN, RN, CPN
“Being a certified nurse represents my commitment to excellence, lifelong learning and high standards of patient care. Personally, certification validates my dedication to expanding my knowledge and strengthening my confidence in clinical decision‑making. Professionally, it demonstrates accountability, expertise, and a commitment to providing safe, evidence‑based and patient‑centered care. Certification reinforces my role as a trusted clinician and advocate for quality nursing practice.” – Harjot Sandhu, RN, CPN
The day of recognition falls on the birthday of Margretta Madden Styles, a nurse and educator who helped establish national standards for nursing certification. More than 450 nurses are certified across the Valley Children’s Healthcare organization.
