November 2013
Sent to those committed to excellence!
IN THIS E-NEWS BULLETIN, PLEASE FIND THE FOLLOWING SHORT NEW BRIEFS FROM THE NNCC:
- Changes to Test Blueprints for Nursing Examinations
- Revised CNN Eligibility Criteria Effective January 2015
- NNCC Supports IOM "Future of Nursing Report"
- First CCHT-A Certification in Michigan
- CCHT Career Mobility Scholarship Deadline November 29, 2013
- New Nephrology Nursing Advocacy Award is Now Available
- The Value of Certification: A Slideshow
- Participate in a Research Study - YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED
- Continuing Education, Credential Verification Reminders
- Reminder - Incomplete Applications Fees
- NNCC On Facebook!!
- CCHT Recertification Information You To Know
CHANGES TO TEST BLUEPRINTS FOR NURSING EXAMINATIONS
It is critical that a certification examination accurately reflects the practice of the professional being credentialed. To achieve this outcome, role delineation/practice surveys are distributed nationally to nephrology nurses and technicians, both certified and non-certified, approximately every five (5) years. The data analysis of the most recent nurse survey conducted in 2012 suggests changes in practice areas for all nurses working in nephrology. To address these changes, the test blueprints for the CDN, CNN and CNN-NP exams have been revised. (See the table below.) The test blueprints are used to determine the percentage of questions that must be included for specific practice areas in each certification exam.
The revised blueprints will be used for nursing examinations administered beginning in July, 2014.
| CDN Examination | ||
|
Content Areas |
% of Test Previously |
% of Test Beginning July, 2014 |
Concepts of Kidney Disease |
30% |
28% |
Peritoneal Dialysis |
12% |
14% |
|
Comments: Another change will be an increase in the percentage of questions related to interdisciplinary approaches to care from 2% to 6% of the questions on the examination. | ||
|
CNN Examination | ||
Peritoneal Dialysis |
18% |
20% |
Transplant |
12% |
10% |
|
CNN-NP Examination | ||
Acute Kidney Injury |
6 - 8% |
4 – 6% |
CKD Stages 1 & 2 |
2 – 4% |
4 – 6% |
CKD Stage 3 |
18 – 22% |
11 – 13% |
CKD Stages 4 & 5 |
8 – 11% |
19 – 21% |
Renal Replacement Therapies |
56 – 64% |
57 – 59% |
REVISED CNN EXAMINATION ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA EFFECTIVE JANUARY 2015
As discussed in the August 13, 2013 issue of this E-News blast, there does seem to be much confusion about the CNN and CDN examinations, and which examination is most appropriate for a nurse to take. As a reminder, both examinations are equally valid and demonstrate knowledge beyond basic entry level nephrology nursing practice. Both examinations are also recognized by the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC), so any nurse holding the CDN or CNN credential can state that he or she is board certified in nephrology nursing. To review that discussion in full, please click this link to go to the August 13, 2013 E-News
The CNN examination was developed to be a proficiency-level examination that tests a broad scope of nephrology nursing practice, which includes clinical practice in a variety of different nephrology settings. In reality, data demonstrate that registered nurses who work only in outpatient dialysis facilities often take the CNN exam, and many are unsuccessful. In an effort to further clarify the work experience required to take the CNN examination, the NNCC approved the following change to the CNN eligibility criteria that will go into effect as of January 1, 2015. The change in the eligibility criteria is included in the following information:
The applicant must have a minimum of 3000 hours of nephrology nursing experience as a registered nurse in a clinical, management/charge, administrative, patient education, staff education, case management, clinical outcomes/quality improvement/quality assurance/compliance, consulting or research capacity within three (3) years prior to submitting the exam application.
Effective for all CNN examinations offered beginning January 1, 2015, if the applicant is working in an outpatient hemodialysis facility, at least 750 hours (25%) of the 3000 hours of experience must also include one or more of the following:
- Home hemodialysis
- Home peritoneal dialysis
- Inpatient acute kidney injury on renal replacement therapy
- Inpatient critical care on renal replacement therapy
- CKD management not on renal replacement therapy
- Kidney transplant
- Apheresis
NNCC's goal is to provide certification examinations that are consistent with current clinical practice and that support safe, quality patient care. NNCC believes that this change to the CNN examination will support this goal.
If you have questions regarding this change, please contact NNCC through email at nncc@nncc-exam.org.
NNCC SUPPORTS IOM FUTURE OF NURSING REPORT
Three years ago the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released a report that provided suggestions for ways to transform the nursing profession to meet future needs in a rapidly changing healthcare landscape. Many healthcare organizations have issued position papers or statements of support of this effort, and NNCC wishes to recognize and support this report as well. Many of the initiatives that NNCC has begun related to specialty certification in nephrology nursing are mentioned in the IOM report. NNCC has drafted a letter in support of IOM's "The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health" report, and it can be found on the NNCC Home page or by clicking here.
FIRST CCHT-A CERTIFICATION IN MICHIGAN
Congratulations to Stephanie Booth, CCHT-A, from Portage Health who is the first and only in the State of Michigan to receive advanced certification in hemodialysis from NNCC! Way to go, Stephanie! We are so proud of you. Read her story
DEADLINE IS NOVEMBER 29, 2013 FOR TWO (2) CCHT CAREER MOBILITY SCHOLARSHIPS!! ACT NOW
The NNCC is pleased to announce that two CCHT Career Mobility Scholarships are available for award each year. These scholarships provide funding for continuing education and development or support of a program to improve patient outcomes in the health science field. Each $2000 scholarship will enable a CCHT - certified dialysis technician to enhance his/her knowledge and better contribute to the nephrology community.
The application form and instructions are available on the Scholarships/Grants page of the NNCC website found at nncc-exam.org. All current CCHT - certified dialysis technicians who meet the scholarship award criteria are encouraged to apply; applications for the 2014 awards are being accepted now and will be accepted until November 29, 2013.
Winners will be notified in the spring of 2014.
NOTE: fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.
NEW NEPHROLOGY NURSING ADVOCACY AWARD NOW AVAILABLE
The NNCC has approved an annual award for one organization/facility/department/unit to receive upon demonstration that the winner values certification as a way to promote patient safety and improve the quality of care provided to nephrology patients. The award will consist of a wall plaque, a $250 gift card, a press release and recognition on the NNCC website and at the NNCC exhibit at professional nephrology events. Details are now available on the NNCC website at nncc-exam.org.
THE VALUE OF CERTIFICATION: A SLIDESHOW
Want to know more about certification and its value to your career and professional advancement? Well, we've created an easy-to-use presentation full of helpful information for your next ANNA chapter meeting. Visit the NNCC homepage at nncc-exam.org to download the presentation.
PARTICIPATE IN A RESEARCH STUDY! YOUR INPUT IS NEEDED
In 2010 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated that patient care technicians providing direct patient care in dialysis clinics must be certified within 18 months of employment. Nursing certification has remained voluntary. This study will replicate a study done by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) in 2007 of the Perceived Value of Certification. We will compare our results with those of that earlier study to see if there are any changes in how nurses and technicians value certification. Your input is very important to the outcome of our findings. Please participate in this research project and encourage your nephrology colleagues to do so as well. Thank you in advance for your time!
Click the following link to take the survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CertificationReseach
CONTINUING EDUCATION, CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION REMINDERS
Please review the applicable application form and note the criteria for continuing education submitted for certification and recertification. Continuing education credits must be applicable to the persons credential and scope of practice in nephrology. Continuing education credit for materials that do not apply to the persons nephrology role and scope of practice will not be accepted.
Another important reminder regards the NNCC Certified Directory, available on the NNCC website at www.nncc-exam.org. The NNCC Certified Directory allows for online verification of certification. It is maintained as a searchable database that displays all individuals matching the selection criteria who have not elected to keep their information private. All managers are strongly encouraged to verify credentials by viewing this directory regularly.
REMINDER - INCOMPLETE APPLICATION FEES
Please be aware that NNCC and its testing partner, the Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET) continue to receive many applications that are incomplete, primarily for CCHT certification and recertification. Due to the amount of work required to process and follow-up on incomplete applications, an incomplete application fee of $25 is charged for each incomplete application. Incomplete applications also delay processing of the application, so it is critical that all applications be reviewed carefully to ensure that all required steps are completed properly.
NNCC NOW ON FACEBOOK!!
The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission has joined Facebook, and we'd love to connect with you. "Like" us on Facebook to keep up with certification and exam information, NNCC and industry news, and much more. It's also a great place to share your stories, network with fans from across the country, and get in contact with NNCC directly.
"Like" us today on Facebook by visiting www.facebook.com/NNCCExam or by clicking the link below.
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.