Washington Manual: Nephrology Subspecialty Consult. 4th ed. Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer/Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
If you are unsuccessful on the exam, you have one opportunity within one year to retake the examination at a reduced rate. C-NET will mail a re-examination application to those applicants who do not pass.
None of the test questions require any mathematical ability beyond basic arithmetic that would be used daily by any NP. The computers used for the exam have calculators available for use.
The preparation of the test is purposefully designed to be legally defensible and psychometrically sound. The test is kept up-to-date by the CNN-NP item writers to make sure every question is pertinent and current to today’s clinical practice.
The passing score of the test is determined by a panel of CNN-NPs who serve as subject matter experts (SMEs). Both experienced and newly certified NPs serve on this panel. This group performs a standard setting procedure (Angoff) in which each test question is reviewed to determine its level of difficulty. The passing score is based on the level of difficulty of the questions and what number of questions need to be answered correctly to identify individuals who have an acceptable level of knowledge and skill.
The CNN-NP exam is formatted as a multiple-choice test so that there is only one correct answer out of four choices. If you disagree with any specific question or part of the exam you are free to contact NNCC directly after the exam and someone from the CNN-NP board will help answer your concern.
No, the results of individual questions from the CNN-NP test are not reported. This is to maintain the integrity of the exam so that the content and questions are not compromised for future test takers.
Although there is not an actual review course several options exist. Look under Practice/Prepare tab to download the free Certification Preparation Guide which offers sample test questions with answers and the option to pay to take the Online Practice Exam.
A "Nurse Practitioner Exam Review" was offered as an NKF Preconference option April 10, 2018. It included test construction, item review and audience response with exam question review and rationale. A similar presentation was given at ANNA's 2014 Fall Meeting (available via ANNA ProLibraries).
Valid and reliable tests do not arise spontaneously from item writers. They are carefully planned to ensure that they are legally defensible and psychometrically sound. The blueprint, or test plan, identifies what content is included on the test and what majority of the questions are need to address for each type of nephrology patient clients and the activities performed by the NP.
First, review the test blueprint to understand the breakdown of the test as to what areas are emphasized. The blueprint lists the ideal distribution of questions and the number of questions that are included for each client problem and activity associated to it. Questions on the kidney replacement therapies are much of the questions on the test (56-59% currently) but examining a broad overview of nephrology nursing is important. Only you know your strengths and weakness and concentrating on the areas that you feel you are weak helps prepare you to feel more confident.
No individual shall be excluded from the opportunity to participate in the NNCC certification program on the basis of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age or disability.
Denial, Suspension, Revocation and other NNCC policies regarding certification and recertification are available here.
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