In 2010 the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) mandated that patient care technicians providing direct patient care in dialysis clinics must be certified within 18 months of employment. Nursing certification has remained voluntary. This study will replicate a study done by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) in 2007 of the Perceived Value of Certification. We will compare our results with those of that earlier study to see if there are any changes in how nurses and technicians value certification.

ANNA has revised their position statement regarding Advanced Practice in Nephrology Nursing.
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The NNCC is now offering two (2) new CCHT Career Mobility Scholarships to support a qualified technician's continuing education and development or support of a program to improve patient outcomes in the health science field. Visit the Scholarships / Grants section for more information — deadline for submission is November 29, 2013.

Congratulations to the many nurses who certified by examination in 2012, showing their competency in nephrology. Special recognition is extended to the high scorers for the CNN-NP, CNN, and CDN exams:

• Karen K. Hammond, MSN, NP-C, CNN-NP
• Kathryn J. Kent RN BSN CNN
• Mary Beth Morrell, RN, CDN

This award publicly recognizes organizations that advocate for or promote any and all levels of nephrology nursing certification. Organizations that provide patient care to persons with kidney disease and employ certified nurses and technicians are eligible to apply for this award. Organizations include but are not limited to free standing outpatient dialysis units, hospitals, ambulatory care clinics. A unit or division of a larger organization is eligible to apply. The NNCC believes that such advocacy ultimately leads to quality patient care.

Congratulations to the many technicians who certified by examination in 2012, showing competency in nephrology. Special recognition is extended to the high scorer for the CCHT exam:

• Benjamin Wagner, CCHT

NNCC is very pleased to announce the 2013 winner of the CCHT Career Mobility Scholarship is Ormet Lynn Campbell of LaPlace, Louisianna.

Want to know more about certification and its value to your career and professional advancement? Well, we've created an easy-to-use presentation full of helpful information and NNCC is now offering a credit of 0.5 contact hours towards your continuing education requirement for certification or recertification with us.

> Download the Presentation

You are invited to participate in an important, new online survey being conducted by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) to determine the activities performed in current nephrology nursing practice. You will be asked to select the survey for RN practice or the survey for advanced nurse practice. Everyone who completes a survey will be eligible to win one of four $100 Amazon gift certificates—two for the RN survey and two for the APN survey. To ensure confidentiality, you will be directed to a separate site to sign up for the drawing after you complete the survey.