All Questions

Valid and reliable tests do not arise spontaneously from item writers. They are carefully planned to ensure that they are legally defensible and psychometrically sound. The blueprint, or test plan, identifies what content is included on the test and what majority of the questions are need to address for each type of nephrology patient clients and the activities performed by the NP.

The blueprint is a result of a practice analysis survey of NPs in nephrology that identifies the clients we serve and activities performed by NPs. This practice analysis is performed every five years to be sure the test reflects current practice.  A national task force of CNN-NPs is brought together to plan the survey content. Following data collection, the survey results are reviewed and adjustments are made to the blueprint to ensure that the questions are properly distributed along the continuum of care based on current practice. Each question on the test can be linked directly to the tasks/activities in the practice analysis survey and all answers are supported, using the most recent edition of the ANNA Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing and other current references.

The group that oversees CNN-NP test development is the Advanced Practice Board of NNCC, which is made up of CNN-NPs with expertise in different areas of nephrology. There is also a CNN-NP Test Committee that writes the actual test questions. Item writers are CNN-NPs from a variety of geographic and practice settings. Members of both the Advanced Practice Board and the Item Writers are considered “content experts” concerning the knowledge and skills needed by NPs in nephrology. The Test Committee meets in person twice a year to review, evaluate, and write test questions to be certain that the test content is accurate.

CCHT examination applications are mailed directly to C-NET for processing and review. If you have received an incomplete letter and have questions, please contact C-NET directly at 800-463-0786 or info@cnetnurse.com.
 

If you are unsuccessful on the exam, you have one opportunity within one year to retake the examination at a reduced rate. C-NET will mail a re-examination application to those applicants who do not pass.

To the best of our knowledge the CNN-NP exam is not accepted as a source of CEU credit by any State Board of Nursing or other nursing organizations.  It is not accepted by any states as being the only certification required to practice.

The preparation of the test is purposefully designed to be legally defensible and psychometrically sound. The test is kept up-to-date by the CNN-NP item writers to make sure every question is pertinent and current to today’s clinical practice. 

The CNN-NP exam is formatted as a multiple-choice test so that there is only one correct answer out of four choices. If you disagree with any specific question or part of the exam you are free to contact NNCC directly after the exam and someone from the CNN-NP board will help answer your concern. 

First, review the test blueprint to understand the breakdown of the test as to what areas are emphasized. The blueprint lists the ideal distribution of questions and the number of questions that are included for each client problem and activity associated to it. Questions on the kidney replacement therapies are much of the questions on the test (56-59% currently) but examining a broad overview of nephrology nursing is important. Only you know your strengths and weakness and concentrating on the areas that you feel you are weak helps prepare you to feel more confident. 

Taking the practice questions at the end of the Certification Preparation Guide or the online CNN-NP Practice Test can be helpful.

You can also consult the list of references, list in the CNN-NP exam information in Certify as well as in the Resources section. This includes ANNA’s Core Curriculum for Nephrology Nursing, Daugirdas’ Handbook of Dialysis, and other prominent nephrology journals and textbooks. 

Continuing education can be found online, through nephrology organizations, or by attending a local or national conference.  NNCC staff members would be happy to help you in locating programs that will meet your requirements for recertification. Please contact the National Office to request information regarding continuing education, if needed.
 

Yes, a current, or previous supervisor will need to verify 3000 hours of dialysis technician work experience during your 3-year certification period.  If you did not work 3000 hours as a dialysis technician during your certification period, you are not eligible for recertification.

If you have worked as a dialysis technician within the last 18 months, you may be eligible to apply to take the exam to become certified again by using the initial CCHT examination application. If it has been more than 18 months since you last worked as a dialysis technician, you will be considered a new technician and will be required to go through re-training before being eligible to apply to take the CCHT examination.