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Certification Item Writer, Exam Developer
Volunteers Needed
Progressive Care Certification Exam
Also Planned
Based on the preliminary results of a
landmark study of practice that was completed in October, AACN Certification
Corporation has decided to pursue revisions in the CCRN examination, as well as
development of a certification examination for critical care nurses working in
the progressive care environment.
By exploring the activities of nurses who
care for acutely and critically ill patients in a variety of settings, this
comprehensive job analysis considered the entire spectrum of critical care
nursing practice. The approach helped to identify overlaps and distinctions in
different roles.
"This study has confirmed what we have
believed about progressive care nurses for some time-that they are a part of the
critical care family. Although they have the same values and mind-set as nurses
in the ICUs, they bring a unique set of skills along the continuum of care in
the critical care environment,"said AACN Certification Corporation Chair Suzanne
Prevost, RN, PhD. "We are pleased to pursue this certification opportunity for
them."
As a result of the study of practice, AACN
Certification Corporation is now ready to move ahead with not only development
of the progressive care exam but also revisions to the adult, pediatric and
neonatal CCRN exams. Toward that end, an immediate call is going out for
volunteers to serve as members of the Item Writers and Exam Development
committees for all these exams.
Applications for these positions are due
Dec. 8, with meetings scheduled to begin in February. All expenses associated
with these volunteer commitments are paid by AACN Certification Corporation,
according to AACN Certification Corporation policy guidelines.
Following is information about each group:
CCRN Exam
Item Writers Committee-Six
to eight volunteers needed to serve for each exam. Members must be certified or
have worked with newly certified CCRNs.
Exam Development Committee-Six
volunteers plus a chair needed for the adult exam and three each plus chairs
needed for the pediatric and neonatal exams. Members must be actively practicing
at the bedside, but are not required to be certified.
Progressive Care
Item Writers Committee-10
volunteers needed. Members must be actively practicing in progressive care or
working closely with progressive care nurses.
Exam Development Committee-Six
volunteers plus a chair needed. Members must be actively practicing at the
bedside in progressive care.
Item Writers Job Description
Members of the Item Writers Committee write
multiple-choice questions for inclusion in the examination item bank. In
addition, they research problem items during the preliminary item analysis.
Although questions are prepared at home, item writers are required to attend a
three-day meeting.
Qualifications:
� Demonstrated expertise in the area of
clinical practice that is found in at least one of the content areas of the
examination
� Demonstrated current knowledge of acutely
and critically ill patients and clinical critical care nursing practice.
� Demonstrated knowledge of group focus and
the ability to contribute to outcomes.
In addition, volunteers must be willing to
forego involvement in education programs preparing individuals to take the
examination targeted to their specialty while a member and for a period of two
years after completion of their term. Members are ineligible to take the exam
targeted to their specialty while a member and for a period of two years after
completion of their term.
Item Writers Committee members, who must
maintain confidentiality of examination materials, will serve a one-year term
renewable at the discretion of the AACN Certification Corporation. The chair
also serves as chair of the corresponding Exam Development Committee.
Exam Development Committee Job
Description
Members of the Exam Development Committee
develop and approve the exams according to test specification criteria. The
committee members will continuously evaluate the relevance of the CCRN exam to
the practice of critical care nursing. In addition, they will advise the CCRN
Certification Corporation Board of Directors of necessary revisions to the test
blueprint. They also provide mentoring opportunities for item writers.
Members of this committee attend one
four-day meeting during the year.
Qualifications:
� Demonstrated expertise in an area of
clinical practice that is found in at least one of the content areas of the
examination
� Demonstrated current knowledge of acutely
and critically ill patients and clinical critical care nursing practice.
� Demonstrated knowledge of group focus and
the ability to contribute to outcomes
In addition, members must be willing to
forego involvement in education programs preparing individuals to take the
examination targeted to their specialty, while a member and for a period of two
years after completion of the term as a member. In addition, members are
ineligible to take the exam targeted to their specialty while a member and for a
period of two years after completion of the term as a member. Committee members
may have previous experience as exam item writers.
Exam Development Committee members, who
must maintain confidentiality of examination materials, will serve a two-year
term renewable at the discretion of the AACN Certification Corporation. To
encourage continuity in the exam development process, the chair also serves on
the corresponding Item Writer Committee.
For more information, call (800) 394-5995,
ext. 268. To apply, simply fill out the form below. The form is also available
online via the AACN Certification Corporation Web site.
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