General Information and Options
for Recertifying
Certification is a process by which a non-governmental agency
validates, based upon predetermined standards, an individual nurse's qualification
and knowledge for practice in a defined functional or clinical area of nursing.
PCCN certification validates your knowledge of nursing of acutely
ill patients in your specialty area to hospitals, peers, patients and, most importantly,
to yourself. PCCN certification promotes continuing excellence in the nursing profession.
PCCN certification helps you maintain an up-to-date knowledge
base of progressive care nursing. In addition to providing you with a sense of professional
pride and achievement, PCCN certification will reinforce the special knowledge and
experience required for progressive care nursing.
PCCN certification is conferred for a period of three (3) years.
A certification period begins the first day of the month in which the PCCN certification
examination is passed and ends three years later (example:
May 1, 2005 through April 30, 2008).
Approximately 90 days before their expiration date certificants
will be mailed a copy of the PCCN Renewal Handbook.
At renewal time candidates may seek certification renewal by CERPs or by Exam or
may choose Inactive Status. It is not permissible
to take the exam early and then attempt to renew by CERPs if you fail.
Option #1 -
PCCN Renewal by Synergy CERPs
- Meet eligibility requirements for PCCN recertification and complete the
Synergy CERP (Continuing Education Recognition Point) Program.
Option #2 -
PCCN Renewal by CERPs
- Meet eligibility requirements for PCCN recertification and complete the
CERP (Continuing Education Recognition Point) Program.
Option #3 -
PCCN Renewal by Exam
- Meet the eligibility requirements for PCCN recertification and successfully
complete the PCCN examination.
Option #4 - PCCN Inactive Status -
PCCN Inactive Status provides PCCN-certified nurses with an additional three-year
eligibility period to meet their recertification requirements. Inactive Status is
available to nurses who do not meet the recertification eligibility requirements
but do not wish to lose their PCCN certification status. Inactive Status allows
PCCN-certified nurses additional time, up to three years, from the date of renewal
to meet the eligibility requirements. During the time of Inactive Status candidates
may not use the PCCN credential.
PCCN Renewal Eligibility
Requirements
Applicants must have current unrestricted registered nurse
licensure in the United States. In order to meet the RN
licensure requirement for initial PCCN certification and recertification, an individual
nurse's RN license must be unrestricted. This means than an RN license, issued by
a state board of nursing, must not have provisions or conditions that would limit
the nurse's practice in any way. It is the responsibility of the exam applicant
or PCCN certified nurse to notify the AACN Certification Corporation when any restriction
is placed on his / her RN license.
Clinical Practice Eligibility
Renewal candidates must complete 432 hours in direct bedside
care of adult acutely ill patients during the three-year certification period, with
144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application. Nurses
serving as manager, educator (inservice or academic), CNS or preceptor may apply
their hours spent supervising nursing students or nurses at
the bedside. Nurses in these roles must be actively involved in caring
for patients at the bedside; for example, supervising a new employee or student
nurse performing a bedside procedure.
Recertification by CERPs requires you to obtain 100 CERPs (Continuing
Education Recognition Points) within the three-year recertification period. There
are two categories of CERPs - Category A and Category O. While a minimum of 25 CERPs
is required in Category A, you may obtain all, or any portion of the remaining 75
CERPs in either category.
Category A relates to patients and families. It includes acute
or critical care programs granting contact hours or CERPs. These programs must address
subjects that directly apply to the needs of acutely ill patients and families across
the healthcare continuum. Academic credit courses may be counted in Category A if
they have direct application to beside care, such as physical assessment, pathophysiology,
pharmacology, etc.
Category O relates to the healthcare system and providers.
Specifically, it includes programs addressing a broad area of healthcare content
including leadership, management, public policy and legal aspects. It also includes
courses for academic credit, professional publications and presentations, as well
as programs and activities to improve patient care.
For a more complete description of the various categories and
help calculating the number of CERPs awarded for various activities, refer to
CCRN/PCCN Renewal QwikTips
.
This document may be viewed and printed using Acrobat Reader,
available below. The document may also be obtained via e-mail as Word 2000 or Rich
Text Format (.rtf) attachments; click on Contact Us above and specify the document
and format you would like to receive.
Certificants are not required to submit a listing of CERP activities
with their renewal application and are not notified in advance if selected for audit.
Certificants complete a paper application and sign the honor statement indicating
that they have completed the required clinical hours and appropriate number of CERPs
in each category.
Certificants must continue to keep a log of CERP activities
and maintain evidence of achievement of the required CERP hours to satisfy an audit
of CE records if selected. A CERP Log is included in the
PCCN Renewal Handbook. CERP documentation should be
kept by the certificant for a minimum of three years following renewal.
To apply, complete the PCCN Renewal Application found in the
PCCN Renewal Handbook and submit by mail or fax.
If selected for audit, determined 6-8 months after your renewal date, you will be
required to submit your completed CERP log, copies of CE certificates or other CERP
documentation, RN license copy and a letter from a colleague or supervisor verifying
that you met the clinical hour requirements for PCCN Renewal. Those selected will
be notified by mail and will have 60 days to submit the required audit documentation.
Recertification by exam requires that you meet the eligibility
requirements for PCCN recertification and successfully complete the PCCN examination.
|
PCCN Renewal by Exam |
|
|
AACN Members |
$135 |
|
Nonmembers |
$215 |
|
PCCN Renewal by CERPs |
|
|
AACN Members |
$100 |
|
Nonmembers |
$190 |
Payable in U.S. Funds. Fees are subject to change without
notice.