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In this issue:
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Please note: current CNN and CDN certificants are not affected by this change.
Please share this information with anyone planning to take the CNN or CDN exam.
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Inspired by Love, Driven by Purpose
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 My name is Latricia Youmans, and I am from Blackville, South Carolina. From a young age, I always dreamed of working in the medical field. However, life took a different path. I got married, raised three children, and spent many years working in manufacturing, placing my dreams on hold.
In 2009, my life changed when my mother became ill with renal failure and began dialysis. Wanting to care for her at home through home hemodialysis, I made the decision to pursue an education in dialysis care. In August 2015, I enrolled in the Hemodialysis Program at Aiken Technical College. Sadly, my mother passed away on December 11, 2015. After her passing, I lost focus and stepped away from my dream.
Years later, in 2023, I found the strength to return to my passion. I enrolled in the Hemodialysis Program at Helms College in Augusta. During my time there, I made the Dean’s List, graduated with honors as a Distinguished Honor Student, maintained perfect attendance, and became the first student in my class to take and pass the NNCC CCHT exam on my first attempt.
Today, I am proudly employed by Fresenius Medical Care, where I truly feel I am exactly where I belong. While I am grateful for how far I have come, my journey is not over. I am currently continuing my education with the goal of entering a nursing program, determined to keep growing and making a difference in the lives of others.
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Thank you Latricia!
Latricia’s journey highlights the dedication and perseverance behind earning the CCHT credential. Her commitment to excellence—graduating with honors, maintaining perfect attendance, and becoming the first in her class to pass the NNCC CCHT exam on her first attempt—reflects the high standards and professionalism the CCHT certification represents. We congratulate her on her achievements and applaud her continued pursuit of professional growth.
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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/dialysis nurse, nephrology nurse practitioner, 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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We asked this question to newly certified nephrology nurses, and this response stood out:
“I have validation of my skills and knowledge in nephrology to educate patients and staff. Satisfaction in presenting myself as a knowledgeable individual. Pride in my knowledge.”
This reflection highlights the value of certification as more than a credential—it is a source of confidence, professional pride, and credibility. Certification affirms a nurse’s knowledge in nephrology and supports their ability to educate patients and colleagues with assurance. The pride expressed here speaks to the role certification plays in strengthening professional identity and advancing high standards of care.
Take the next step in your professional journey. Certification isn’t just a title—it’s a transformative step toward becoming the best version of yourself. Whether you’re just starting 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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We extend our sincere appreciation to the Clinical/Technical Exam Board and Test Committee members for their time, expertise, and dedication. Their ongoing work is essential to maintaining the integrity, relevance, and high standards of the CCHT and CCHT-A certification programs. Through their commitment, these credentials continue to represent excellence and remain the gold standard for dialysis technicians nationwide.
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We extend our congratulations to New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Columbia University Medical Center, Apheresis Department and Project Leads, Kyle Gault, Giselle Paredes-Ty for receiving one of this year’s Quality Improvement Awards for their project titled “Single-Needle Therapeutic Plasma Exchange: A Contingency to Current Practice.”
The Challenge:
Therapeutic Plasma Exchange (TPE) is an apheresis treatment modality that typically requires dual venous access and operates using a continuous mechanism. However, an increasing number of aborted procedures and delays in care were observed due to difficulty establishing two large-bore peripheral access sites.
The Innovation:
This quality improvement project introduced a novel approach to salvaging TPE procedures through the use of a single-needle TPE (SN-TPE) technique.
Project Aim:
The team evaluated whether implementing SN-TPE would reduce cannulation attempts and aborted procedures compared to traditional double-needle TPE over a three-month period in the apheresis unit.
Conclusion:
The project demonstrated that SN-TPE is a viable alternative when traditional double-needle TPE is not feasible. Its implementation resulted in fewer canceled procedures, improved workflow efficiency, and enhanced patient outcomes.
Moving forward, optimizing policy and expanding staff training will remain central to future initiatives to further support both clinicians and patients.
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JANUARY 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 advanced dialysis technician (CCHT-A): "A patient’s laboratory values show a positive HBsAg. The CCHT-A should recognize that the patient is…"
Take the quiz to see the list of options, choose the correct answer, and find the rationale and reference information.
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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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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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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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NNCC will be exhibiting at the following conference this Spring. We hope to see you there!
Kansas City, MO
February 25 – March 1, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
March 11 – 13, 2026
New Orleans, LA
April 25 – 28, 2026
New Orleans, LA
May 7 - 10, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
June 23 - 27, 2026
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CNN®, CDN®, CNN-NP®, CCHT®, and CCHT-A® are registered certification marks of the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC®).
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Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
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