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CNN®, CDN®, CNN-NP®, CCHT®, CCHT-A®,
CD-LPN® & CD-LVN® are registered certification
marks of NNCC®.
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With spring upon us, we enter a season defined by renewal and growth. As nature comes back to life, we hope you are enjoying the changing weather, the beauty of new blooms, and taking time to focus on your own personal and professional growth.
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In this issue:
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If you missed NNCC’s Webinar, “What’s new for 2026: CDN & CNN Exam Updates with Q&A”, you can find the recorded session here: https://youtu.be/-Za7RjTsUrw.
If you have questions regarding recent changes coming for the CNN and CDN examinations, please email questions@nncc-exam.org.
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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Finding Purpose Through Care: Suzanne’s Story as a CCHT
By Suzanne Peck, CCHT
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 My name is Suzanne Peck. I was born in Renton, Washington, and moved to Springfield, Missouri at a young age. In high school, my stepfather’s job took us to Montana, and in 2004, I returned to Missouri. At that point in my life, I was focused on finding my path—I just knew I had a calling to help others.
My “why” comes from my own family’s story. When my cousin was almost two years old, he began showing signs of neurological delays. After extensive testing, he was diagnosed with a rare blood storage disease called Niemann-Pick Type C. This led our entire family to undergo testing. As a result, I was diagnosed at age six with Gaucher’s Disease Type 1, another rare blood storage disorder affecting the liver, bones, and spleen.
It’s remarkable—two children in the same family diagnosed with two rare diseases that, at the time, had virtually no survival rate without treatment. My cousin passed away 30 years ago this June. This year also marks 37 years since my own diagnosis. |
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Over the years, I explored several career paths, including ambulance dispatch and coordinating non-emergency transportation for Medicaid and Medicare recipients. While meaningful, I still felt something was missing. I later joined the American Red Cross, where I loved working with both donors and colleagues and felt I was making a difference. However, I needed more time at home with my family.
During my job search, I remembered coordinating transportation for dialysis patients and became curious about the field. After learning more, I felt it could be the right fit for me. With my own health journey, I knew I could bring genuine compassion, understanding, and a strong desire to help others.
I applied to Fresenius Medical Care and was hired in June 2023. Since then, I’ve worked in multiple clinics and currently float to support others in the area. I truly love what I do. I care deeply for my patients and feel grateful to be part of their care.
To be honest, I never expected to fall in love with a job—but I have. Not every day is easy, but every day is meaningful and rewarding. I give my all, knowing I am doing what I was meant to do: helping those who need it most.
Suzanne, your story is both heartfelt and inspiring. The way you’ve turned your personal journey into a source of strength and compassion for others speaks volumes. Your commitment to becoming a Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT) further demonstrates your dedication to your patients and your profession. It’s clear this is more than a job—it’s your purpose. Thank you for all that you do.
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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!
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:
“Nephrology certification CNN-NP was a goal, because excellence in patient care and education demands the highest level of knowledge.”
Thank you. This is a powerful reflection of what certification represents. Setting a goal to achieve the CNN-NP credential demonstrates a clear commitment to excellence and a passion for delivering the best possible care and education to patients.
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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Starting April 1, 2026, experienced dialysis technicians can apply for the CCHT-A exam at a reduced fee of $100. Take the next step in advancing your expertise and showcasing your experience.
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NNCC’s FailSafe Program means that if you are a CCHT and do not pass the CCHT-A certification exam, NNCC will automatically recertify your CCHT certification for another 3 years. What do you have to lose?
Find out if you’re eligible here.
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We extend our gratitude to the Advanced Practice Exam Board and CNN-NP Test Committee members for their dedication and collaboration this past weekend in Scottsdale, AZ. Your work plays a vital role in strengthening the CNN-NP certification program and supporting excellence in advanced practice nephrology care.
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APRIL 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 nephrology nurses (CNN): "A patient who received a kidney transplant one year ago has developed new-onset hyperglycemia. This is likely caused by which of the following immunosuppressive drugs?"
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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NNCC will be exhibiting at the following conference this Spring. We hope to see you there!
New Orleans, LA
May 7 - 10, 2026
Las Vegas, NV
June 23 - 27, 2026
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Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
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