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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 June comes to a close, we reflect on a month of growth, learning, and continued dedication to excellence in nephrology care. As summer begins, we hope you'll take a few moments to explore this month's updates, opportunities, and stories celebrating the commitment of our certified nephrology nurses and technicians. Thank you for all you do to advance patient care and uphold the highest standards of the profession.
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In this issue:
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Applications are currently being accepted for the new CNN and CDN exams. The first examination permits will be issued on September 1, 2026.
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 share this information with anyone planning to take the CNN or CDN exam.
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Excellence Recognized: A Certified Nephrology Nurse's Journey
By Yvette Ebersole Ronquillo, MSN RN CNN
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 I am a dedicated nephrology nurse with a foundational background in progressive care, telemetry, and cardiology, focusing on pre- and post-CABG patients. Over my 31-year nursing career, I have dedicated 24 years to the complex field of dialysis. Recognizing that dialysis requires specialized validation, I dedicated time to studying and earning my certification in nephrology nursing in December of 2024, a pivotal achievement. This became especially critical when I transitioned from chronic dialysis to an acute, Magnet-designated hospital setting and embraced the challenge of pediatric dialysis. Despite having no prior experience in pediatric acute care at the time, I immersed myself in evidence-based practices to deliver the highest standard of care. In the specialized world of pediatrics — a demanding field that many choose to avoid- I successfully earned the trust of providers, colleagues, patients, and their families. |
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Achieving my certification significantly boosted my clinical confidence and inspired me to stay at the forefront of my field. The required continuing education drives me to select highly relevant, high-value topics that directly advance my practice. As a certified specialist, I am committed to pursuing the best clinical practices to provide exceptional quality care to the community. Today, my expertise is deeply valued by my organization, providers, and leadership. During my tenure at Medical City Dallas, I became the primary resource and subject-matter expert in both acute hemodialysis and acute peritoneal dialysis. My role spans adult, pediatric, and high-risk pregnant dialysis patients. Working in the acute setting has allowed me to expand my expertise in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), transplantation, and apheresis. I am privileged to work with an exceptional team within an organization that elevates nursing voices, allowing me to continuously cultivate my skills. Highlighting my commitment to excellence, I was honored to be inducted into the DFW Great 100 Nurses in 2021.
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This past May, during Nurses Week and Hospital Week, I was deeply honored to receive the DAISY Award for Excellence in Nursing. Out of the entire North Texas Division and HCA Healthcare, I was chosen as a recipient of the Awards of Distinction—the highest honor within our organization. Each year, HCA Healthcare recognizes outstanding colleagues, nurses, physicians, and volunteers who set the standard for care. As a Certified Nephrology Nurse, I am humbled by this recognition and renewed in my dedication to maintaining the highest standard of clinical excellence in my daily practice.
Thank you Yvette! This remarkable journey demonstrates that certification is more than a credential—it is a commitment to lifelong learning, professional growth, and exceptional patient care. By pursuing certification after more than two decades in nephrology, Yvette exemplifies the drive to continually strengthen clinical knowledge and embrace new challenges, even in highly specialized areas such as pediatric acute dialysis.
The confidence gained through certification, combined with a passion for evidence-based practice, has led to well-deserved recognition as a trusted clinical expert, mentor, and leader. We congratulate this outstanding certificant on receiving the prestigious DAISY Award and HCA Healthcare's Award of Distinction. These honors reflect not only individual excellence but also the profound impact that certified nephrology nurses have on patients, families, colleagues, and the profession as a whole. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story and for demonstrating the difference certification can make.
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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:
“Obtaining my CDN is important to me because it reflects my commitment to excellence in nephrology nursing and validates the knowledge and experience i have gained throughout my career. As a dialysis nurse leader, earning this certification demonstrates my dedication to providing the highest quality care for patients with kidney disease while continuing to grow professionally. It is a personal achievement that represents my passion for nephrology and my commitment to lifelong learning.”
Thank you. This thoughtful reflection captures the true value of certification. Earning the CDN credential is more than achieving a professional milestone—it is a public commitment to clinical excellence, lifelong learning, and delivering the highest quality care to patients with kidney disease. For nurse leaders, certification also demonstrates a dedication to advancing the profession and setting an example for colleagues and future nephrology nurses. We thank this certificant for sharing their perspective and for exemplifying the passion, expertise, and commitment that define certified nephrology nurses.
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 are proud to recognize the outstanding individuals who achieved the highest scores on their NNCC certification examinations in 2025. Your dedication, hard work, and commitment to excellence in nephrology care have truly set you apart.
CCHT: Akila Kharengra, St. Paul, MN
CCHT-A: Markisha Johnson, Decatur, GA
CDN: Jennifer Kortyna, Wildersville, TN
CNN: Dustin Brewer, Avandale, AZ
CNN-NP: Cypress Cooper, Meridian, ID
Congratulations on this well-deserved honor, and thank you for raising the standard of excellence in nephrology certification!
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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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 The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission® (NNCC®) has developed this award to recognize an individual or organization participating in a quality improvement project that promotes optimal patient outcomes in nephrology. At least one of the individuals submitting the application must be currently certified by NNCC. |
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JUNE 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): "During discontinuation of dialysis with a central venous catheter, in addition to hand hygiene, which of the following would demonstrate an infection control measure?"
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 Fall. We hope to see you there!
Savannah, GA
September 23 - 26, 2026
Denver, CO
October 21 – 25, 2026
Chicago, IL
October 29 – 31, 2026
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Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission
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