January 2012 Electronic Bulletin

   



  January 2012


Sent to those committed to excellence!



IN THIS E-NEWS BULLETIN, PLEASE FIND THE FOLLOWING SHORT NEW BRIEFS FROM THE NNCC: 

    TIME FOR JOB ANALYSIS - NEPHROLOGY NURSES

    It is routine practice for the NNCC and its testing partner, Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET), to conduct a job analysis or role delineation survey every 3 – 5 years.  This is done to update and revalidate the content of the exams and ensure that current clinical practice is reflected in the certification exams provided by NNCC.  This year the survey focus will be on nephrology nurses, with a goal of determining the scope of practice and differentiation between the roles of nurses in the dialysis setting, which includes advanced practice nephrology nurses.  We would like all nephrology nurses to participate in this very important survey.  Please watch your e-mail for an invitation to participate in this online survey, or go to the NNCC website (www.nncc-exam.org) to complete the applicable survey when it’s made available.  Your input is very important and provides you with the opportunity to have influence on the credentialing of nephrology nurses.

     



    REMINDER:  CHANGE IN WORK HOUR CRITERIA FOR CDN/CNN EXAMS

    In the summer of 2011, the Commission members changed the work hours required to be eligible to take the CNN exam and in the work hours required for recertification for the CDN and CNN exams.  As of 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.  Beginning 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.



    NEW EXAMS COMING - ADVANCED CCHT, LPN/LVN CERTIFICATION EXAMS

    As noted previously, the Commission carefully reviewed recent Practice Analysis and Role Delineation Surveys for technicians and LPN/LVNs and it was determined that there are significant differences in practice between entry level technicians and those who have been working for five or more years.  It was also noted that there are definite differences in practice between all technicians and LPN/LVN’s working in dialysis facilities.  Given this information, the Commission members have elected to increase the number of certification exams offered as described below.  It is anticipated that these exams will be available the fall of 2012.


    Development of Advanced CCHT Certification Exam

    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.


    Development of Certification Exam for the Dialysis LVN/LPN

    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.



    COMPUTER BASED TESTING AVAILABLE AND POPULAR
    Computer-based testing (CBT) remains the most popular method for obtaining certification for the CCHT, CDN and CNN exams.  CBT is available at over 200 testing centers across the country.  This provides applicants with more flexibility in terms of the time and location for testing.  Please refer to the NNCC website, www.nncc-exam.org for locations and other details.

    ON-LINE PRACTICE EXAMS AVAILABLE

    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 details 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.