POTSDAM -- Donna E. Kirka, of Canton-Potsdam Hospital’s nursing team, has passed the examination to become a certified emergency nurse.

This advanced certification is awarded based on attainment of a body of knowledge specific to emergency nursing, such as medical emergencies relating to the cardiovascular and gastrointestinal systems, trauma, communicable diseases, fractures, wounds and non-medical professional issues.

Candidates for certification must be an RN and must have practiced within the specialty area for at least two years.

Kirka has practiced as an RN in CPH’s emergency department, operated by Northstar Emergency Physicians, for seven years. She previously practiced nursing in the medical/surgical inpatient units and in the respiratory therapy unit at CPH.

Kirka received her RN degree from the State University of New York at Canton.