In alignment with AACN Certification Corporation’s mission of patient protection, PCCN-K validates the valuable progressive care specialty knowledge of the many nursing professionals who do not exclusively or primarily practice in direct care but influence the care delivered to acutely ill adult patients.
Q: If I’ve never been certified as a PCCN, can I obtain PCCN-K?
A: Yes, any nurse who meets the eligibility requirements for PCCN-K certification may apply for and take the PCCN-K exam.
Q: Can I be certified as both a PCCN and PCCN-K?
A: No, you should hold the credential that best aligns with your practice. If you meet the direct care practice hour and CERP requirements for PCCN, you should hold PCCN certification.
Q: How do I prepare for the PCCN-K exam?
A: All resources used to prepare for the PCCN exam are applicable for use in preparing for the PCCN-K exam. Refer to the How to Prepare
Q: If my practice is not focused on acutely ill patients, would I be eligible for PCCN-K renewal?
A: No, to renew to PCCN-K you must influence the care delivered to acutely ill adult patients – those with problems listed on the PCCN-K Test Plans, found in the PCCN-K Exam Handbook
Q: If my practice covers multiple patient care settings, would I be eligible for PCCN-K?
A: If you meet the eligibility requirements for PCCN-K, your practice need not exclusively focus on the care delivered to acutely ill adult patients. For example, if you manage a progressive care unit and a regular medical/surgical unit, you may count the hours spent managing the progressive care unit toward the practice hours for PCCN-K.
Q: If I practice as an acute care NP, would I be eligible to renew to PCCN-K?
A: Because most acute care NPs (ACNPs) provide direct care (e.g., physical assessment, direct intervention), PCCN (or CCRN) certification would be more appropriate for ACNP practice. If your practice does not include providing direct care for 12 hours per month on average, PCCN-K would be an alternate option.
Q: What all may be counted toward the clinical hours needed for PCCN renewal?
A: Nurses serving as manager, educator (in-service or academic), APRN or preceptor may apply hours spent supervising nursing students or nurses providing direct care toward the practice hour requirement for PCCN renewal. Nurses in these roles must be actively involved in patient care; for example, demonstrating how to apply ECG leads or supervising a new employee or student nurse performing a procedure.
Q: If my primary role is as an educator or manager, but I also work a 12-hour shift in a progressive care setting each month, should I renew as a PCCN-K?
A: No, if you meet the direct care requirements for PCCN renewal, you should continue to renew as a PCCN.
Q: If my primary role is not direct care, but I continue to teach nurses or nursing students at the bedside of acutely ill patients, should I renew as a PCCN-K?
A: If you meet the direct care requirements for PCCN renewal (which can include teaching nurses or nursing students providing direct care to acutely ill adult patients), you should continue to renew as a PCCN. Nurses who lack sufficient direct care hours to renew as a PCCN but meet PCCN-K practice requirements may renew as a PCCN-K.
Q: If I was certified as a PCCN in the past, would I be eligible for PCCN-K?
- If your PCCN certification expired less than 3 years ago, you may be eligible for retroactive Inactive status. If eligible, you may be able to obtain PCCN-K Renewal by Synergy CERPs.
- If your PCCN certification expired more than 3 years ago AND you meet the eligibility requirements for PCCN-K, you may apply to sit for the PCCN-K as an initial exam applicant.
Q: If I hold Inactive PCCN status, what do I need to do to renew to PCCN-K?
A: As soon as you meet the eligibility requirements for PCCN-K renewal (for both CERPs and practice hours), you may renew to PCCN-K. This must be done before the end of your Inactive status period. Refer to the PCCN-K Renewal Handbook
Q: If I am moving from PCCN to PCCN-K, how many CERPs do I need?
A: When renewing to PCCN-K for the first time, you may meet the CERP requirements for PCCN or PCCN-K, both of which require 100 CERPs.
- The CERP program for PCCN-K includes 80 CERPs in Category A and 10 CERPs each in Categories B and C.
- The CERP program for PCCN includes 60 CERPs in Category A, 10 CERPs each in Categories B and C, plus 20 CERPs in a category of your choice.
Q: If I hold Alumnus PCCN status, may I obtain PCCN-K certification?
- If you have held Alumnus PCCN status for less than 3 years, you may be eligible for retroactive Inactive status. If eligible, you may be able to obtain PCCN-K Renewal by Synergy CERPs.
- If you have held Alumnus PCCN status for more than 3 years and you meet the practice eligibility requirements for PCCN-K, you may apply to sit for the PCCN-K as an initial exam applicant.
Q: If I work in one of the roles listed, but my practice focuses on patients who are not acutely ill, would I be eligible for PCCN-K?
A: No, those eligible for PCCN-K must in their practice influence patients, nurses and/or organizations to have a positive impact on the care delivered to acutely ill adult patients. Nurses who work outside progressive care or whose practice is not focused on acutely ill adults are not eligible for PCCN or PCCN-K.
Q: If I work in a role that is not listed, but my practice involves acutely ill adult patients in alignment with the PCCN-K Test Plan, could I be eligible for PCCN-K?
A: Yes, the list of roles is not all-inclusive. If in your practice you influence patients, nurses and/or organizations to have a positive impact on the care delivered to acutely ill adult patients, you may be eligible for PCCN-K.
Q: If I have been actively PCCN-certified since 2004 and renew as a PCCN-K, will my record reflect my “certified since” date as 2004 or the date I become a PCCN-K?
A: Since PCCN-K is an extension of the PCCN certification program, those who renew to PCCN-K retain their “certified since” date as the date they first became certified, not the date they renew to PCCN-K.
Q: Am I able to attach my CMC or CSC subspecialty credential to PCCN-K?
A: No, PCCN-K, being a non-direct care credential, may not be tied to CMC or CSC. If you are moving to PCCN-K from PCCN, your CMC or CSC will automatically be placed on Inactive status - unless you have another clinical nursing specialty certification to which the subspecialty certification can be tied.
Q: As a former PCCN, would I automatically be eligible for PCCN-K certification?
A: No, only former PCCNs who meet the eligibility requirements for PCCN-K may become certified as PCCN-Ks. Refer to the PCCN-K Exam Handbook
Q: Is it possible to renew as a PCCN after holding PCCN-K certification?
A: Yes, if you complete the required direct care practice hours and meet the CERP requirements, it is possible to move from PCCN-K to PCCN at your next scheduled renewal date. Refer to the PCCN-K Renewal Handbook
Q: If I am unsure if my practice qualifies for PCCN-K, what should I do?
A: For questions about PCCN-K eligibility, please email certification@aacn.org