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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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As we are nearing the end of May and reflecting on Memorial Day, we pause to honor and remember the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their dedication and sacrifice remind us of the values of commitment, compassion, and service — qualities that are also reflected each day in the work of nephrology nurses and technicians. Thank you for the care, professionalism, and dedication you bring to your patients and the nephrology community every day.
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In this issue:
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Just a few days left to submit your CNN or CDN examination using the current application meeting current eligibility requirements. Current applications must be postmarked by May 31.
Effective June 1, new eligibility requirements and updated applications will be available online at www.nncc-exam.org.
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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Raising My Own Bar: A Twenty-Year Journey Through Nephrology
By Brandon Cary, BSN RN CDN
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 I have spent the last twenty years building a career I never expected to love as deeply as I do today. Nephrology became the place where I found my purpose, my confidence, and a version of myself I once believed was out of reach.
Long before I entered healthcare, I was diagnosed with a learning disability at the age of 5. Growing up, I struggled to see myself as capable, and I carried the belief that I was not smart enough to succeed academically. That mindset eventually led me to drop out of high school. Even after earning my GED in 2003, I still doubted my potential and never imagined I would one day thrive in a field as complex and demanding as nursing.
In 2006, I stepped into nephrology for the first time as a Certified Reuse Technician. I was not searching for a lifelong career; I was simply following a friend’s suggestion and taking a chance on something unfamiliar. I often joke that when I first started, I did not even know what a 2x2 was. I thought it was a piece of wood. What I did not realize then was that this small leap into dialysis would become the beginning of a journey that would transform my life.
It did not take long for the work to become more than a job. As I got to know the patients, their routines, humor, and fears, I found myself drawn into the human side of dialysis. I laughed with them, cried with them, and stood beside them through their best and hardest days. Many of those early patients encouraged me to keep going, keep learning, and believe I could do more. Their trust changed the course of my life. |
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By late 2006, I transitioned into the PCT role, and in 2007, I earned my CCHT certification. That was the first time I felt a spark of possibility. I realized how much I loved learning, understanding the “why,” and building the fundamentals that keep patients safe. I continued to grow, earning my Maryland Certified Dialysis Technician credential in 2009, becoming a preceptor in 2010, and in 2012, becoming a peritoneal dialysis PCT. Each step opened a door I never imagined walking through.
In 2015, after nearly a decade of working full-time and studying whenever I could, I graduated with my ADN. For someone who once believed they were not capable of academic success, walking across that stage felt like rewriting my own story. I graduated with honors and received two clinical excellence awards, achievements I once believed were not meant for someone like me. Nursing school did not just give me a degree; it gave me confidence and a new sense of who I could become.
My certification journey reflects that same belief in growth. I earned my CDN in 2018, completed my BSN in 2025, and I am now pursuing my MSN with plans to become an FNP and eventually a DNP. Certification has always meant more than letters after my name. It represents commitment, accountability, and the standard of care my patients deserve.
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Over the years, I have held many roles: PCT, RN, charge nurse, clinical coordinator, and clinical nurse manager. Leadership taught me the value of presence, humility, and hands-on guidance. A strong culture is built through consistency, communication, and a willingness to grow with your team.
One of my full circle moments came last year when I completed my BSN and returned to my associate college as a nursing mentor and tutor. Supporting students, many of whom remind me of myself, feels like a privilege I never expected. As someone who once doubted their academic potential, I find helping future nurses succeed deeply meaningful. It reminds me how far I have come and how powerful perseverance can be.
Nephrology was my first doorway into healthcare, and it remains the place where I shine the brightest. It has shaped me into a nurse, a leader, and a person who believes in continuous improvement. It taught me that great things take time, sometimes decades, and that every step forward matters.
I am proud of the path I have taken, grateful for those who believed in me, and excited for the chapters still ahead. My journey through nephrology has been one of growth, resilience, and purpose, and I look forward to continuing to raise the standard for myself and for those I serve.
Thank you Brandon! Brandon’s story is a powerful reminder that success is not defined by where we begin, but by the determination, resilience, and passion we bring to the journey. His willingness to continue learning, growing, and challenging himself throughout his career is truly inspiring. From earning his CCHT certification to pursuing advanced nursing degrees, Brandon demonstrates the important role certification and lifelong learning play in strengthening both professional practice and patient care. His story reflects the heart of nephrology nursing — compassion, perseverance, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to serving others. We are honored to share his journey and celebrate all that he has accomplished.
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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:
“It means raising the bar for the standardization of efficient and effective nursing care.”
Thank you. This perspective beautifully captures how certified nurses continually raise the standard of care, ensuring patients receive safe, efficient, and evidence-based treatment. By striving for certification, nephrology nurses demonstrate their dedication not only to their profession, but also to the patients and communities they serve every day.
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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The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) is seeking volunteers to serve on the CCHT, CCHT-A, CDN, and CNN Test Committees.
If you have been certified as a CCHT for three years or less, a CCHT-A for five years or less, or a CDN or CNN for five years or less, we encourage you to consider this opportunity to become involved. Your knowledge, experience, and perspective are valuable in helping NNCC maintain the quality and excellence of our certification programs.
Volunteering on a test committee is a meaningful way to contribute to the nephrology community, support professional certification, and help shape the future of nephrology nursing practice.
Interested volunteers should contact NNCC Executive Director Katherine Houle at kathy.houle@nncc-exam.org. Include your name, email address, phone number, the year you earned your credential, and your role/work experience in nephrology in your message.
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There is still time to get in on this offer! Effective 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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MAY 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 Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT): "Which of the following techniques for placing needles into an arteriovenous (AV) fistula is the preferred method?"
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!
Las Vegas, NV
June 23 - 27, 2026
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Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
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