Da Hye Son, Associate Manager, Internal Medicine Nursing Team II, recently earned two international certifications in the nursing care for severe neuroimmunologic disorders. She obtained the MSCN (Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse) credential from the ‘Multiple Sclerosis Nursing International Certification Board (MSNICB)’ and the CRND (Certification in Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders) from the ‘Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC)‘. Achieving both certifications simultaneously, while balancing demanding clinical work and study, marks a remarkable accomplishment. We spoke with her about her journey.

▲ Da Hye Son of Internal Medicine Nursing Team II at Asan Medical Center

Could you introduce the certifications you obtained?

The MSCN (Multiple Sclerosis Certified Nurse) is an international credential that evaluates nursing expertise in the care of patients with multiple sclerosis, assessing knowledge of disease mechanisms, medication management, patient education, and counseling. Eligibility requires at least two years of MS nursing experience.

The CRND (Certification in Rare Neuroimmunologic Disorders) is an international certification focused on rare neuroimmunologic disorders. It verifies knowledge of diagnosis, treatment, and symptom management for diseases such as transverse myelitis, neuromyelitis optica, and optic neuritis. Since our hospital regularly admits patients with these conditions, I felt that developing specialized nursing skills would enable us to provide higher-quality treatment and care.

What motivated you to take on this challenge?

When I first started working in the neurology ward, most of the diseases I encountered were unfamiliar. Multiple sclerosis, in particular, is common among young patients and carries a high risk of recurrence, which led to countless questions from patients and caregivers. However, there was limited information and a lack of specialized educational materials, leaving me frustrated during counseling sessions.

While considering further study in this field, I had the opportunity to visit the Cleveland Clinic in the United States in 2023 through the ‘Min Byeong-cheol Training Fund’. There, I was introduced by local nurses to the MSCN certification and began preparing for the exam. Using the exam handbook, key references, and neurology textbooks, I organized what I learned by linking it to real patient counseling experiences and researching unfamiliar concepts or medications as I went. Attending ward rounds with my supervising professor was especially valuable. During this process, I also learned about the CRND certification. Believing they would benefit our patients, I decided to pursue both certifications simultaneously and, after about a year of preparation, successfully earned them.

What was the most difficult part of the preparation?

The greatest challenge was that all the study materials and exams were in English. However, the preparation was not simply about memorization. It was a process of organizing my clinical experiences and finding supporting evidence. By connecting my counseling practice with the content of the textbooks, I was able to understand more deeply and retain the knowledge more effectively. Although I initially failed the MSCN exam once, that setback fueled my determination, and I passed the second attempt with confidence.

What changes have you noticed in your practice since obtaining the certifications?

Previously, I sometimes lacked confidence when explaining information to patients and caregivers. Now, I can counsel them with much greater assurance, and I can sense the trust they place in me. Going forward, I hope to provide more personalized counseling, contribute to nurse education, and continue research in this area.

I believe that accurate information empowers patients to participate actively in their treatment and supports more stable recovery. I also hope more of my colleagues will take on similar challenges to develop their own areas of expertise.