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NNCC Presents...
Your Stories
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You don’t always get recognized for all you do as a certified dialysis provider. To help change that, NNCC recently asked you to send us your stories so we could share them in this newsletter.
We received a great response and are going to publish your stories periodically. We can’t share all of them, but we’ll do our best to capture what you’ve said - the patients who have affected you, the mentors who encouraged you, and the caring that motivates you.
Read and enjoy the two stories for February:
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"I’m Honored to be a Dialysis Technician"
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Latracia Rollen, CCHT, has been a patient care technician for 20 years, working in various practice settings. She began specializing in dialysis 5 years ago, calling it one of the most rewarding jobs she’s ever had.
“I’ve cared for patients from 18 to 97 years old, and each captured my heart in their own way,” she writes.
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A Passionate Nephrology NP Who Cherishes Each Patient Relationship
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Esmeralda Lundy, MS-RN, AGPCNP-BC, CNN, began her career in long-term care for geriatric patients. She discovered nephrology, fell in love with the specialty, and never looked back.
“Being a CNN has brought me respect from fellow nurses and others in the renal field. My certification has opened many doors leading to some advanced career opportunities and boosting my confidence into leadership.”
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NNCC Announces 2019 Highest Scorers
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The NNCC Board of Commissioners would like to congratulate the following certificants for achieving the highest scores in 2019 on their certification examination:
- Joseph Germain, Harlem, GA, Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)
- Brian Gula, Portage, IN, Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician – Advanced (CCHT-A)
- Jeanetta Wammack, Little Rock, AR, Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)
- Heather Cyr, Winter Haven, FL, Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN)
- Amy K. Kirby, Valsparaiso, IN, Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN)
- Dorothy Posgai, Clearwater, FL, Certified Nephrology Nurse-Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP)
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Exam Board and Test Committee: Dedicated to You
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The Exam Board at their meeting. Top row, from left: Laura Willis, LaVonne Burrows, Judi Wales; middle row: Lori Mahaffey, Karen Wiseman, Caroline Webb; bottom row: Katherine Cure, and Carrie Johnson.
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The NNCC Nursing Examination Board and CNN/CDN Test Committee members met February 22 – 23, 2020, in Nashville, TN, to review the CNN and CDN examinations. These reviews ensure the tests are up to date and relevant to your practice. Our committee members volunteer their time, so please join us in sending our sincere thank you for their important work!
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Challenge Your Smarts! NNCC Pop Quiz Makes it Fun
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We all like to test our knowledge! When you have a moment, visit the NNCC Facebook page and look in the feed for the “NNCC Question of the Month.” Each quiz gives you a list of possible answers to choose from, the correct answer, an explanation for the correct answer, and reference information. Each month we gear the question to one of the NNCC credentials, so keep an eye out for yours.
If you missed the fun, take a quiz below:
Coming in March: Watch for a question for advanced dialysis technicians.
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Quality is your paramount goal, and NNCC wants to reward you for it. The NNCC Quality Improvement Award is given to an individual or organization who has participated in a quality improvement project that promotes optimal patient outcomes in nephrology. The recipient will receive $1,000, national recognition, and a personally delivered engraved plaque during an awards ceremony. Submit the application before June 15, 2020.
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The National Kidney Foundation Council of Nephrology Nurses and Technicians (NKF-CNNT) has partnered with NNCC to offer three $3,000 scholarships to NKF members who are certified registered nurses (CNN/CDN) pursuing higher education for a Bachelors or Master’s degree in nursing. Apply here by March 3, 2020.
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Upcoming Meetings: Visit Our Booth!
NNCC will be exhibiting at the following meetings this spring.
Please stop by to learn more about NNCC's certifications, award programs, and more.
National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists - DTX20
March 3 - 6, 2020, Las Vegas, NV
Booth #301
National Kidney Foundation Spring Clinicals
March 25 - 29, 2020, New Orleans, LA
Booth #122
ANNA National Symposium
April 19 - 22, 2020, Orlando, FL
Booth #100
June 23 - 28, 2020, New Orleans, LA
Booth #1511
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Traveling Soon? You’ll Need a REAL ID
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Are you REAL ID compliant? Be sure to schedule your appointment through your state's DMV to obtain your REAL ID. Under the new law, you will not be able to fly domestically after October 1, 2020, if you do not have a REAL ID, a valid U.S. passport, or another acceptable form of ID.
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CDC Video on Dialysis Highlights Safety Practices
A new CDC video follows the journey of two patients on dialysis, highlighting infection control methods and tips for ways health care providers can make patients feel safe about expressing their concerns. (CDC, Accessed 2/20/2020)
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Use of Hemodialysis Technicians May Improve Home-Based Care
Assigning a certified clinical hemodialysis technician to assist the primary registered nurse improved care delivery for patients receiving home dialysis, according to a recent research report. (Healio/Nephrology News & Issues, 2/11/20)
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Study: Post-Transplant Childhood Survival Rates Much Improved
Children who have had a kidney transplant have a much better rate of survival now than they did in the past, according to a University of Sydney study. (Healio/Nephrology News & Issues, 2/13/20)
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Survey Shows Nurses More Diverse, Better Educated
Newly released data from the 2018 National Sample Survey of Registered Nurses (NSSRN), the longest running survey of RNs in the U.S., shows nursing is more diverse and individuals are better educated than a decade ago. A brief summary of findings were published in mid-January. (Campaign for Action, 1/24/20)
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Organ Donation Again Sets Record in 2019
Nearly 11,900 people donated organs upon their death last year, making 2019 the ninth consecutive record-breaking year for deceased donation in the U.S., according to the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network. (HRSA, 1/7/20)
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