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 reinforces the special knowledge and experience required for progressive care nursing.
PCCN certification is conferred for a period of 3 years. A certification period begins the first day of the month in which the PCCN certification exam is passed and ends 3 years later (example: May 1, 2009 through April 30, 2012).
Approximately 90 days before their expiration date certificants will be notified by mail. At renewal time candidates may seek certification Renewal by Synergy CERPs or Renewal 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 renewal and complete the Synergy CERP (Continuing Education Recognition Point) Program.
Option #2 - PCCN Renewal by Exam - Meet the eligibility requirements for PCCN renewal and successfully complete the PCCN examination.
Option #3 - PCCN Inactive Status - PCCN Inactive status provides PCCN-certified nurses with an additional 3-year eligibility period to meet their renewal 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.
Applicants must have current unencumbered registered nurse licensure in the United States. In order to meet the RN licensure requirement for initial PCCN certification and renewal, 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.
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.
Renewal by Synergy CERPs requires you to obtain 100 CERPs (Continuing Education Recognition Points) within the 3-year renewal period in 3 categories: A, B and C. You need 60 CERPs in Category A, 10 in Category B, 10 in Category C, plus 20 in the category of your choice.
For a more complete description of the various categories and help calculating the number of CERPs awarded for various activities, refer to Renewal by Synergy CERPs At-a-Glance.
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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 their scheduled renewal date.
To apply, you may Renew Your Certification online or complete the PCCN Renewal Application found in the PCCN Renewal Handbook and submit by mail or fax. If selected for audit, determined 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.
Renewal by exam requires that you meet the eligibility requirements for PCCN renewal and successfully complete the PCCN exam.
Computer-Based Testing/Testing Sites Detailed Testing Info.: Application Process, Timeline, Applications, etc.
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