May Bulletin

Monday, May 2nd, 2016
NNCC News Bulletin
  May 2016 Find us on Facebook   LinkedIn

The electronic news bulletin contains important information for all current certificants as well as those seeking certification. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. nncc@nncc-exam.org or 888-884-6622 (Mon — Friday, 8:30 am – 5:00 pm ET)

Sent to those committed to excellence!

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

CERTIFIED CLINICAL HEMODIALYSIS TECHNICIAN (CCHT) ACCREDITED BY THE NATIONAL COMMISSION FOR CERTIFYING AGENCIES (NCCA)

In December, 2015, the NCCA granted accreditation to the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission's CCHT certification examination program for demonstrating compliance with the NCCA Standards for the Accreditation of Certification Programs. NCCA is the accrediting body of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence, whose standards ensure certification programs adhere to modern standards of practice for the certification industry. More information on the NCCA is available online at www.credentialingexcellence.org/NCCA or by calling 202/367-1165.

CONGRATULATIONS TO NNCCs 2016 SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

NNCC is proud to announce the three (3) Clinical/Technical Career Mobility Scholarship winners for 2016:

  • Faith Avila, CCHT, The Colony, TX
  • Melissa Clyde, CCHT, Pittsburgh, PA
  • Anjelle Obermeyer Tiliakos, CCHT, Kenner, LA

2015 CERTIFICATION EXAMINATION HIGH SCORERS

NNCC would like to congratulate the following certificants for achieving the highest scores on their certification examinations in 2015:

Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)

  • Kristie Cooper, West Bend, WI
  • Ashley Murphy, Greely, CO

Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician - Advanced (CCHT-A)

  • Travis Valderrama, Moss Beach, CA

Certified Dialysis - Licensed Vocational Nurse (CD-LVN)

  • Ronald Malone, Tulare, CA

Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)

  • Amy Goodwin, Jackson, MO

Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN)

  • Genesis McHorse, Las Cruces, NM

Certified Nephrology Nurse-Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP)

  • Elise Pierson, Huntsville, AL

APPLY NOW FOR SCHOLARSHIPS, GRANTS AND AWARDS FROM NNCC!

NNCC supports nephrology certification, education and research by providing scholarships, grants and awards.

Clinical/Technical Career Mobility Scholarships
Deadline November 30, 2016

NNCC will award three (3) Career Mobility Scholarships to support a qualified CCHT, CCHT-A, and/or CD-LPN/LVN.

  • Awarded annually
  • $3,000.00 award
  • For continuing education and development or support of a program to improve patient outcomes in the health science field.
  • Application form and instructions are available on the Scholarships/Grants page page of the NNCC website
  • The deadline to apply is November 30, 2016. Winners will be notified in the spring 2017.

NOTE: Fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.

Advanced Practice Nurses Career Mobility Scholarship
Deadline November 30, 2016

A Career Mobility Scholarship will be awarded annually to support a qualified CNN-NP certified individual in continuing education and development or support of a program to improve patient outcomes in the health science field. The scholarship can be used for an accredited nursing doctoral program (DNP or PhD).

  • Awarded annually
  • $5,000.00 award
  • For continuing education and development or support of a program to improve patient outcomes in the health science field.
  • Application form and instructions are available on the Scholarships/Grants page page of the NNCC website
  • The deadline to apply is November 30, 2016. Winners will be notified in the spring 2017.

NOTE: Fax copies of documents are NOT accepted.

CDN and CNN Career Mobility Scholarships
Award Amounts Increased!

  • NNCC grants given annually through the American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA).
  • Three (3) $3,000 grants awarded in 2016 for the 2017 calendar year.
  • Awarded to CNNs and CDNs who are members of ANNA and are pursuing either a BSN or advanced degree in nursing.
  • The deadline for 2016 awards has already passed, but keep these scholarships in mind for 2017!!
  • Scholarship information can be found here.

Barbara F. Prowant Nursing Research Grant
Deadline Fall, 2016

  • NNCC grant given annually through the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).
  • $5,000 grant
  • To promote nursing research, particularly in the area of nephrology.
  • The deadline to apply for this grant is the Fall, 2016.
  • Details can be found on the ANNA website at www.annanurse.org.

NNCC Advocacy Award

Does Your Facility/Organization Value Certification? Apply NOW for the Nephrology Nursing Advocacy Award! Application Deadline is JANUARY 1, 2017!!

  • Provided annually to an organization/facility/department/unit that demonstrates that it values certification
  • The award consists of:
    • a wall plaque, and
    • a $500 gift card, and
    • 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 www.nncc-exam.org.

NOTE: Applications must be received no later than January 1, 2017. Winners will be notified in the spring of 2017.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AVAILABLE

Nephrology nurses and hemodialysis technicians have a number of ways to obtain continuing education. Please review this list of options for meetings and online continuing education materials from a variety of providers.

Annual Dialysis Conference — March 11 - 14, 2017

  • Long Beach, California
  • For all professionals involved in providing care in dialysis programs
  • Includes a day of pre-conference sessions specifically for hemodialysis technician continuing education
  • Click here for more information on this meeting
  • Grants will be available for nurses; please check the Annual Dialysis Conference website for more details as they become available.
  • Beginning in 2017 NNCC will sponsor a grant for a person with a NNCC clinical/technical credential to attend the ADC pre-conference session and seminar. Please stay tuned for more information!

National Association of Nephrology Technicians/Technologists (NANT) — Spring, 2017

  • Tropicana Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
  • Many opportunities for hemodialysis technician continuing education.
  • Click here for more information on NANT local chapter activities as well as the Spring, 2017 meeting.

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) — April 18 – 22, 2017

  • Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin, Orlando, FL
  • Professional information for nurses, hemodialysis technicians, advanced practice nurses and others who care for patients with kidney disease.
  • Day-long Dialysis Certification Review Course offered appropriate for nurses and hemodialysis technicians.
  • Also provides online continuing education materials, some free of charge, for nurses and hemodialysis technicians.
  • Click here to be taken to the NKF Spring Clinical Meeting website.

American Nephrology Nurses' Association (ANNA) 48th National Symposium, April 7 – 10, 2017

  • Marriott Wardman Park, Washington, DC
  • Sessions available for nurses at all skill and experience levels in nephrology that provide continuing education credits.
  • For more information click here to be taken to the ANNA website.

Medical Education Institute (MEI)

  • Non-profit organization that helps people with chronic kidney disease manage their health.
  • Also provides online continuing education modules for nurses and hemodialysis technicians.
  • Most online courses can be reviewed for no charge, but a fee is required to obtain a continuing education certificate.
  • Click here for more information about MEI's continuing education offerings.

CHANGES IN NUMBER OF CONTACT HOURS REQUIRED FOR CDN RECERTIFICATION

  • Effective beginning July 1, 2017.
  • Continuing education credits required for recertification increase from 30 hours to 45 hours within the previous three (3) years of certification.
  • Change made to match requirements for CNN recertification.

IMPORTANT TO KNOW!!

Inactive Status Available

  • Applies when a CNN, CDN or CD-LPN/LVN is unable to meet the requirements for recertification due to unusual circumstances.
  • Provide a letter with the application that explains the unusual circumstances.
  • If approved, is granted for a single 3 year period.
  • Certification credential may not be used during the inactive period.
  • Must meet usual recertification criteria to recertify.
  • Click here to obtain the application under recertification of the applicable credential.

Emeritus Status

  • Used for persons:
    • are over 50 years of age,
    • have maintained an active credential, and
    • have retired from active practice.
  • Application for Emeritus Status is found under Recertification Options specific to the credential.
  • Submit one-time fee.
  • Details can be found at https://www.nncc-exam.org/recertification

REMINDER!

Download and use current certification and recertification applications from the NNCC website at www.nncc-exam.org. Old versions of these documents are NOT accepted!

CONTACT NNCC FOR ASSISTANCE

Slideshow NNCC staff are available to assist with questions, but the phone can be challenging during times when many people are in the process of recertifying. If you need assistance, it is recommended that you email NNCC and a member of the office staff will contact you promptly. Simply go to the NNCC homepage at www.nncc-exam.org and click on "Contact NNCC" or add NNCC to your email address book: nncc@nncc-exam.org, for easy access.

CONTINUING EDUCATION, CREDENTIAL VERIFICATION REMINDERS

  • Checkbox ImageContinuing education credits must be applicable to the person's credential and scope of practice in nephrology. No credit can be given for continuing education materials outside of the person's role and scope of practice.
  • You must maintain a copy of the contact hour certificates for any continuing education programs completed when contact hours have been earned. Certificates may be requested for review when recertifying.
  • The NNCC Certified Directory is available on the NNCC website at www.nncc-exam.org. Use this directory for online verification of certification.
  • The NNCC Certified Directory is maintained as a searchable database.
  • All managers are encouraged to verify employee credentials by checking this directory regularly!

NNCC ON FACEBOOK!!

  • NNCC is on Facebook – be sure to connect with us!
  • "Like" us on Facebook to keep up with certification and exam information and other nephrology-related news.
  • Be sure to check the "Frequently Asked Questions" regarding CCHT recertification on our Facebook page.
  • View the NNCC Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NNCCExam.

Like Us

ABOUT NNCC

  • NNCC exists to provide credentialing mechanisms for nephrology nurses and hemodialysis technicians.
  • NNCC believes that there should be a diversity of examinations to provide opportunity for certification at various levels of education, experience and areas of practice.
  • For more information visit www.nncc-exam.org.