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Your Story...
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Meet Frances: A Journey of Strength, Determination, and Certification
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 My name is Frances, and I’m 29 years old. I grew up in Rosenberg, Texas, and moved to Wharton after marrying my husband in 2021. From a young age, I knew I wanted to work in the medical field, but life presented many challenges along the way.
I became a mother at 16 and was also the primary caregiver for my mother, who had type 2 diabetes and later became an amputee. After losing my father in a construction accident when I was three, it was always just the two of us. My mother was my greatest support, and when her health declined, I put my dreams on hold to care for her and my child. I left high school but earned my diploma online and continued to work hard to support my family.
In May 2023, my mother passed away. It was the most difficult loss of my life, but I found peace in knowing I had been there for her every step of the way.
After working various jobs, I hit a low point—but that’s when I found hope. I applied to DaVita and was thrilled to move forward in the hiring process. However, I learned my diploma wasn’t accredited, and I had less than two weeks to earn my GED. I didn’t give up. I studied, tested, and passed—all in time to take the job.
Today, I’m proud to say I’m a certified CCHT. That certification represents so much more than a title—it’s proof of resilience, perseverance, and a lifelong dream fulfilled. I’m incredibly grateful to DaVita for giving me a chance and to NNCC for helping make this milestone possible.
-Frances Barrera, CCHT
Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician
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What’s Your Story? Share it with NNCC!
Do you have a story about your career path and experiences as a nephrology nurse or dialysis technician? Whether it's a personal milestone, a professional breakthrough, or a moment that reminded you why you chose this field or why you took the next step to get certified, we’d love for you to share it.
Your journey could be the next to inspire others and be featured in the NNCC Electronic News!
Submit your story here. Let your voice be heard and your story celebrated!
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Thank you, Nurse Exam Board and Test Committee Members!
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Thank you to the Nurse Exam Board and Test Committees for dedicating your time in Chicago on August 16th and 17th to support the continued excellence of the CNN and CDN certification programs.
Your hard work ensures our exams reflect current practice and continue to uphold the highest standards of certification excellence. We appreciate you all so much!
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“What does certification mean to you?”
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We asked this question to newly certified nephrology nurses, and this response stood out:
“Earning my Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) credential affirms my commitment to excellence in kidney care and reflects the knowledge, skills, and experience I have gained through years of dedicated practice. To me, this certification is more than a title. It represents professional credibility, a responsibility to uphold the highest standards of evidence-based care, and a promise to advocate for patients living with kidney disease. It is both a personal milestone and a professional pledge to keep growing, learning, and making a meaningful difference in nephrology nursing.”
What an inspiring reflection! This nurse’s words beautifully capture the true value of certification—an achievement that goes beyond credentials to embody passion, professionalism, and a deep commitment to patient care.
Ready to take the next step in your nephrology career?
Certification isn’t just a title—it’s a transformative step toward becoming the best version of yourself as a nurse. It shows your dedication to your patients, your profession, and your own growth. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, becoming certified demonstrates your expertise and commitment to excellence in nephrology care.
At NNCC, we’re here to support you every step of the way, whether you are a nurse practitioner, RN, or dialysis technician —with resources, guidance, and recognition designed to help you succeed. Your knowledge, your passion, and your care already make a difference. Certification helps you elevate that even further. You’ve got what it takes—and NNCC is here to help you prove it. Learn more at www.nncc-exam.org/certification. Do you have questions about certification? Contact us!
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Yasmina Carpenter, CCHT – Career Mobility Scholarship Recipient
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 NNCC is proud to recognize Yasmina Carpenter, CCHT, of Orem, UT, as the recipient of the NNCC-sponsored Career Mobility Scholarship, awarded through the National Kidney Foundation.
“Winning the Nephrology Nurse and Technician Scholarship means so much to me. After many years of working with patients living with kidney disease, this award is not only helping me advance my career but also giving me the opportunity to grow as a nephrology nurse. With this support, I can continue to strengthen my knowledge, skills, and efficiency so I can provide the highest standard of care to patients and make a meaningful difference in their lives.
This scholarship allows me to pursue higher levels in the field of nephrology nursing, stay competitive, and contribute to improving patient outcomes. I am truly grateful to the National Kidney Foundation and the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission for helping me achieve my goals and fulfill my dream career. I feel very fortunate—thank you so much.”
We congratulate Yasmina on this well-deserved honor and wish her continued success on her journey. We’re excited to see all she will accomplish!
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NNCC Career Mobility Scholarships & Grants
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The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission® (NNCC®) offers of career mobility scholarships annually. Don't miss your opportunity to apply!
Clinical/Technical Career Mobility Scholarship – Deadline November 30
NNCC awards five (5) $3000.00 scholarships to CCHT, CCHT-A and CD-LPN/LVN certified individuals who are advancing their education in the field of health/sciences.
Advanced Practice Nurse Career Mobility Scholarship – Deadline November 30
NNCC awards a $5000.00 career mobility scholarship to CNN-NP certified individuals who are advancing their education in a doctoral program (DNP or PhD).
Nurse Career Mobility Scholarship funding – Deadline November 15
NNCC has established funding for three (3) $3,000.00 career mobility scholarships to NNCC certificant members of ANNA in pursuit of either a BSN or advanced degree in nursing.
Nephrology Nurse and Technician Career Mobility Scholarship funding – Deadline May 1
NNCC has established funding for three (3) $3,000.00 career mobility scholarships for CCHT and CCHT-A certified, and three (3) $3,000.00 career mobility scholarships to CNN or CDN certified members of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) to support furthering education in pursuit of a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in nephrology nursing or technician fields.
Barbara Prowant Research Grant – Deadline November 15
The NNCC has established this $5,000.00 nursing research grant to honor and recognize Barbara F. Prowant’s tremendous contributions to nephrology nursing and certification within the specialty. Her work improved the lives of patients everywhere. This research grant is established to promote nursing research, particularly in nephrology.
Research: Funding for pilot studies and partial funding for research projects, thesis, or dissertations.
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Advanced Dialysis Technicians Take the NNCC August Pop Quiz
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AUGUST QUESTION! Here is another question of the month! “NNCC’s Question of the Month” helps you test your knowledge. This month we pose this question for the dialysis technicians (CCHT): A unit preceptor is orienting new technicians to the water system. The preceptor explains that CMS requires the brine tank of the water softener to be at least half-filled with salt because inadequate fill may result in…
Take the quiz to see the list of options, choose the correct answer, and find the rationale and reference information.
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NNCCs Water for Dialysis Program: What's in your Water?
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NNCC’s Water for Dialysis Program, What’s in your Water? is a learning activity provided by NNCC to help participants obtain knowledge and competency concerning water treatment for dialysis. Upon completion of this program, participants will be able to:
• Identify the components of the dialysis water system including their purposes, monitoring requirements, and patient safety considerations.
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• Explain how water-related clinical problems occur, are identified, and can be prevented.
• Discuss the elements of the CMS water survey that ensure compliance with safety.
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Great News: Upon completion, a certificate will be provided awarding a four-contact hour credit to be used towards NNCC certification or recertification continuing education requirements.
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Free Practice Exam! Approved CCHT-A Test-Takers!
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Experienced Dialysis Technicians, NNCC is now offering a free online practice exam when you are approved to take the CCHT-A certification examination. You now have one more reason to take the next step in the advancement of your career goals!
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FREE Online CNN-NP Practice Exam
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NNCC Board of Commissioners and the Advanced Practice Examination Board have examined some of the roadblocks for nephrology nurse practitioners taking the CNN-NP certification examination.
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A lack of resources and preparation materials seem to be a large factor. NNCC will now offer a free online CNN-NP practice examination to nephrology nurse practitioners who have been approved to take the CNN-NP examination. Upon approval for testing, nephrology nurse practitioners will receive a link to take the online practice exam. This, in addition to the free CNN-NP Certification Preparation Guide, will have you well on your way to preparing for the exam!
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UPCOMING EVENTS: FALL 2025
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NNCC will be exhibiting at the following conference this Fall. We hope to see you there!
Orlando, FL
September 16 – 19, 2025
Booth #315
Charlotte, NC
September 25 - 28, 2025
Booth #207
Atlanta, GA
October 8 - 10, 2025
Booth #1835
Houston, TX
November 5 - 9, 2025
Booth #1241
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Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
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