NNCC Electronic Bulletin - August 2011
WELCOME: NEW COMMISSIONER
Kim
Alleman has joined the NNCC. Kim is a certified Family Nurse
Practitioner (FNP) with the Hartford Hospital Transplant Program in
Hartford, CT. She received her FNP in 1998 and was certified as a
CNN-NP in 2008. Her previous nephrology nursing experience includes a
position as the Transplant Coordinator for Hartford Hospital from
November 1989 until February 1996. In 2002, Kim served on the CNN Test
Committee as an item writer for the CNN examination.
CHANGE IN WORK HOUR CRITERIA FOR CDN/CNN EXAMS
Commission
members have approved a change in the work hours required to be
eligible to take the CNN exam and a change in the work hours required
for recertification for the CDN and for the CNN exams. Effective
08-01-2012, the work hours required to be eligible to take the CNN exam
have been increased to a minimum of 3000 hours working as a nephrology
nurse during the three (3) years prior to submission of the exam
application. Effective 08-01-2014 to recertify for the CDN or CNN
exam, the required work hours have been increased to a minimum of 1500
hours working in nephrology nursing during the three (3) year
certification period. All required work hours must be in nephrology
nursing and the 50% requirement will be eliminated.
CCHT/LPN/LVN JOB ANALYSIS
The results of the most recent Practice Analysis and Role Delineation Survey of technician and LPN/LVN clinical practice were presented to the NNCC Board members. One purpose of this survey was to evaluate current practice and role responsibilities of dialysis technicians and LPNs/LVNs and to identify similarities and differences, if any. Analysis of the survey indicated very clearly that there are significant differences in practice between entry-level dialysis technicians and those who have been working as technicians for five or more years. It was also noted that there are pronounced differences in practice between all technicians and LPN/LVN’s working in dialysis facilities. Based on this information, the Commission members have elected to increase the number of certification exams offered as described below.
DEVELOPMENT OF ADVANCED CCHT CERTIFICATION EXAM
Based on the
national survey results, the Commissioners approved the development of
a certification exam for advanced technicians. The credential for the
advanced dialysis technician will be CCHT-A and will denote practice
and experience beyond the minimum needed to obtain the CCHT. Criteria
for this certification exam include the following:
- 5 years of continuous employment and a minimum of 5000 hours as a clinical hemodialysis technician,
- 30 contact hours of approved continuing education relevant to the practice of a hemodialysis technician, within the previous three years,
- current national certification as a CCHT, CHT, or CCNT.
The exam currently is being developed and it is anticipated that it will be available in the Fall of 2012. Additional information will be provided as exam development progresses.
DEVELOPMENT OF A CERTIFICATION EXAM FOR THE DIALYSIS LVN/LPN
Also based on national
survey results, the Commissioners approved the development of a
specific certification exam for the dialysis LPN/LVN. The credential
for the certified dialysis LPN/LVN will be CD-LPN and CD-LVN. The
eligibility criteria for this exam include:
- 2 years and 2000 hours as an LPN/LVN working with patients who require or may require dialysis within the previous 2 years,
- 15 contact hours of approved continuing education relevant to the care of patients who require or may require dialysis, within the previous two years.
This exam also is being developed and expected to be available in the Fall of 2012.
NEPHROLOGY NURSE JOB ANALYSIS
The NNCC and its testing
partner, Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET), are
preparing to conduct two nurse practice analysis
surveys in the coming year. One survey will be specific to advanced
practice. This information is vital to ensure that the current
certification exams accurately reflect actual practice of registered
nurses and advanced practice nurses who care for patients with acute
kidney injury and chronic kidney disease. NNCC urges all nephrology
nurses to watch for additional information regarding this survey.
COMPUTER BASED TESTING REMAINS STRONG
Computer based testing
(CBT) remains a popular means to obtain certification for the CCHT, CDN
and CNN exams. CBT is available at over 250 testing centers across the
country, which provides much more flexibility to applicants in terms of
the time and location for testing. Please refer to the NNCC website, www.nncc-exam.org for locations
and other details.
PRACTICE EXAMS AVAILABLE ON LINE
All exams offered by NNCC have an on line practice test that provides applicants with a way to get a feel for the content and format of the specific certification exam they will be taking. The practice test allows test-takers to see the type of content in the test and how test items are worded. The practice tests also provide a sense of the areas of practice included in the exam. Additional detail can be found on the NNCC website, www.nncc-exam.org.
CCHT RECERTIFICATION INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW
Think you know all you need to know about the CCHT recertification process? Check out our "Did You Know.." sheet, and make sure you do.
ABOUT NNCC
The
Nephrology Nursing
Certification Commission (NNCC) exists to establish credentialing
mechanisms for improving the quality of care provided to nephrology
patients.
The
Nephrology
Nursing
Certification
Commission supports the philosophy
that there should be a diversity of examinations that will effectively
provide the opportunity for certification at various levels of
education, experience, and area of practice within nephrology nursing.
For
more
information,
visit www.nncc-exam.org.
ABOUT ABNS/ABSNC
ABNS is a not-for-profit, membership organization focused on improving
patient outcomes and consumer protection by promoting specialty nursing
certification. ABNS member organizations represent more than a half
million certified registered nurses worldwide. NNCC is a a charter
member of ABNS.
The ABSNC, formerly the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)
Accreditation Council, is the only accrediting body specifically for
nursing certification. The ABSNC accreditation is a peer-review
mechanism that allows nursing certification organizations to obtain
accreditation by demonstrating compliance with the highest quality
standards available in the industry. NNCC's Certified Nephrology Nurse
(CNN) and Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) have been accredited by the
ABSNC.