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NNCC Commissioner Insight: Strength in Numbers
The Benefits of Belonging to a Membership Organization
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So, you’ve studied to become certified, and you’ve achieved that glorious moment of knowing you’re a CNN-NP, CNN, CDN, CCHT-A, or CCHT! The months of attaining, retaining, and applying new knowledge in your field is so gratifying when you can let co-workers and supervisors know, “I passed!” But how do you stay current? How do you ensure you continue to attain and retain without having to spend endless hours studying for the recertification exam?
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- Belonging to a professional organization whether as a nurse or certified technician can ensure that you are “in the know” within the nephrology field. Many of these organizations provide opportunities for free CEUs, yearly conferences, mentorship, and networking with like-minded professionals.
- Some professional organizations are instrumental in lobbying for policies that impact patients and healthcare workers, most importantly safe practices. These professional organizations are your strongest advocates to ensuring safety and best practices for your career. Your involvement strengthens the organization which empowers you.
- It's one thing to enroll in membership (for the online CEUs), it’s another thing to become an active participant. So, step out of your comfort zone, grab a co-worker, attend a meeting, and make those new connections! Some chapters offer quarterly dinners to meet and greet, learn about new pharmaceuticals within the nephrology field, or for CEUs on important topics on advancement with kidney disease.
Remember, there’s strength in numbers, and your participation will make a difference. Take the time to find the professional organization that best supports you and your career. And get involved!
Thank you, NNCC Commissioner Carrie Johnson, MSN RN CNN, Renal Care Coordinator, Interwell Health, for sharing your energy and insights on the benefits of belonging to a professional organization. We celebrate the contributions Carrie brings to NNCC as an NNCC Commissioner.
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Some Friendly Reminders
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As we say farewell to 2022 and look forward to a New Year together, here are some friendly reminders.
- Reminder: Update Your Contact Information. Keep NNCC up to date on all your most convenient contact information. If you have moved, or changed your email address, please be sure that NNCC has your most up-to-date contact information. Contact NNCC at 888-884-6622 or email nncc@nncc-exam.org.
- Questions about certification or recertification? Please contact NNCC directly with any questions. NNCC's National Office is open Monday - Friday, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm ET. You can also use the Contact Us button on the NNCC website, or email NNCC, nncc@nncc-exam.org.
- Has your certification credential already expired? Remember, all requirements must be met during your certification period to be approved for recertification. Please contact NNCC to discuss your options. Visit the NNCC website, or email NNCC, nncc@nncc-exam.org.
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Nephrology Nurses (CNN-NP):
Take the NNCC November Pop Quiz
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NNCC's Question of the Month helps you test your knowledge. This month we pose this question for nephrology nurse practitioners (CNN-NP). Have fun!
"A 75-year-old patient on maintenance hemodialysis frequently experiences intradialytic hypotension. To maintain the patient’s blood pressure during a hemodialysis treatment, the NP initially should order midodrine hydrochloride (ProAmatine) to be taken"
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CNN-NP Recertification Eligibility Criteria Change
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Effective 4/1/2023: CNN-NP continuing education required for recertification have been reduced as follows:
- Applicant must have 75 hours of continuing education from approved providers during the prior 5-year certification period that meet the following criteria:
- A minimum of 50 hours must be CME/CNE credits, a minimum of 25 contact hours must be specific to nephrology.
Programs/Presentations: These programs must be specific to nephrology practice. Certified nurses who present nephrology programs that are awarded continuing education credit will receive credit of five (5) contact hours for the presentation.
Independent Study: These programs include continuing education designed for independent study such as journal articles or website articles. Credit will be given according to the number of contact hours awarded to each offering.
The additional 25 hours may be obtained from any of the following:
Professional Publications: The publication of materials must be relevant to nephrology nursing. The format should be a manuscript, research paper, book, or book chapter and must be published by a recognized publishing house or professional journal. Fifteen (15) contact hours will be assigned for authorship or co-authorship of a book. Five (5) contact hours will be assigned for a book chapter, manuscript, article, or paper.
Academic Credit: Academic credits earned towards a health/science degree may be used. Fifteen (15) contact hours will be assigned per one (1) semester credit. Ten (10) contact hours will be assigned per one (1) quarter credit. Academic credits may only be used for one (1) certification period.
Precepting: Five (5) contact hours will be assigned for every forty (40) hours as an official preceptor in nephrology for nurse practitioners.
It is acceptable to obtain the entire 75 hours from CME/CNE continuing education programs and independent study. For more information on NNCC’s Commitment to Excellence in certification programming click here.
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Attention: Magnet Hospitals - NNCC Voucher Program
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NNCC is reaching out to Magnet healthcare organizations and those organizations applying for Magnet status to make you aware of nephrology nursing certification. It is the goal of NNCC to promote the highest standards of nephrology nursing practice. NNCC offers certification examinations for nephrology and dialysis healthcare professionals.
- CCHT: Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician, for the entry level technician.
- CCHT-A: Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician-Advanced, for those technicians with greater than five years’ experience.
- CDN: Certified Dialysis Nurse, for nurses working in the chronic outpatient dialysis unit.
- CNN: Certified Nephrology Nurse, for those nurses working in other areas of nephrology e.g., transplant, education, home therapies, administration, and others.
- CNN-NP: For those Nurse Practitioners working with patients with kidney disease across the spectrum.
For facilities who pay for the certification exams, we have developed a voucher system to enable the facility to pay for the examination without any upfront cost to the exam candidate. This will make it easier than ever for your colleagues to take the next step in becoming certified in nephrology! If you are working within a Magnet healthcare organization, we are asking for you to help in passing along this important information.
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Nephrology Nurse Practitioners:
Contact Hours Reduction Took Effect 10/1/2022
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The number one reason to become certified is to help ensure patient safety. Effective 10/1/2022, the NNCC Board of Commissioners, as well as the Advanced Practice Examination Board, unanimously decided to reduce the number of contact hours required when applying to take the CNN-NP certification examination to 20 nephrology specific contact hours approved by one of NNCC's approved accrediting bodies for continuing education credits.
NNCC hopes that this reduction in required contact hours will help you to take the next step in your nephrology career and apply to become CNN-NP certified! Please be aware that although programs may meet requirements set forth by other state boards of nursing, they may not meet the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission criteria.
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Show Your NNCC Pride
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Industry & Health Care News
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