“All Out” for Excellence

“ALL OUT” FOR EXCELLENCE CERTIFICATION AND DEGREE

COMPLETION FOR PUBLIC HEALTH NURSES

Quad Council for Public Health Nursing Organizations

Educational Webinar

April 11, 2012

PRESENTERS

Moderator:• Glynnis LaRosa, RN, MPH, CPHQ

ASTDN President 2011-12Boston, MA

Presenters:• Lisa Campbell, DNP, RN, APHN-BC, GNP-BC

PHN Section-APHA, ASTDNVictoria, TX

• Michelle Cravetz, MS, RN-BC, APHN-BCASTDN, ACHNE, PHN Section-APHAAlbany, NY

• Christine Vandenhouten, PhD, RN, APHN-BCACHNE, PHN Section-APHA Green Bay, Wisconsin

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SPONSORED BY

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ACHNE Education Committee Members• Barbara Battin Little, DNP, MPH, RN, APHN-BC, CNE (Chair)• Pamela Ark, PhD, RN • Laurel Janssen Breen, PhD RN CNE• Crystal DeVance-Wilson, MSN, MBA, APRN, BC• Mary Ann Drake, PhD, RN• Diane Ernst, RN, MSN, MBA, PhD• Cathy Hughes, DNP, MSN, RN• Joan Kub, PhD, APHN-BC• Eileen Sarsfield, PhD, PHCNS-BC • Christine Savage, RN, PhD, CARN• Christine L. Vandenhouten, PhD, RN, APHN-BC

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AGENDA

1. PHN Practice Standards and Credentialing2. Education• PHN Ready Program – continuing education• RN-to-BSN and Masters Programs

3. National Certifications• American Nurses Credentialing Center• National Board of Public Health Examiners• Resources for studying

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LEARNING OBJECTIVESAt the end of this offering, the learner will be able to:1. List at least three ways PHNs are accountable for their

practice

2. Describe continuing education opportunities through the Public Health Nurse Ready Program

3. Locate resources for RN-to-BSN and Masters degree completion on the web

4. Describe opportunities for PHNs to attain certification through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and the National Board of Public Health Examiners

5. Apply exam preparation strategies to certification exams6

PROFESSIONALS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR

PRACTICEPublic Health Nurses are accountable for their practice by: •Establishing standards and credentials for their practice; •Meeting professional standards;•Achieving relevant credentials; and •Meeting program and organizational standards.

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ESTABLISHING STANDARDS AND CREDENTIALS

Standards may be applied on an individual or organizational level.•American Nurses Association - Scope and Standards of Practice for Public Health NursesDeveloped by PHNs to outline expectations for the highest level of practice.•Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations – Core Competencies for Public Health NursesOutlines performance expectations for PHNs at different levels of practice. •Council on Linkages between Academia and Practice – Core Competencies for Public Health Professionals - Not specific to nursing or public health nurses. •Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB) – public health agency accreditation.

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ESTABLISHING PHN CREDENTIALS

• Level of education – Pre- and Post-employment requirements.• Scope and Standards require BSN as minimum for PHNs. • Some states require BSN as minimum education for PHNs.

• Licensure – What is legally required to practice?• Cannot work as a nurse in the state without this credential.• Established by states – RN, APN.

• Workplace requirements – Employer-based.• Verification of transcripts, licensure, work history. • Wide range of jobs in public health employ nurses. • May determine reimbursement.

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PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE (PHN) READY PROGRAM

• Free, online education• Available 24/7 wherever there is internet access• Based on Quad Council competencies• CNE available for every offering - free• Awards a certificate• Especially valuable to nurses new to public health

or re-entering the field• Useful to those who want a refresher• Does not offer academic credit – CNEs only• www.phnready.org

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http://www.phnready.org/

RN-TO-BSN COMPLETION

• Scope and Standards document: calls for BSN as entry level to Public Health• It is at the BSN level where the student learns

about the community as patient• Myth or Fact? http://

www.nsna.org/Portals/0/Skins/NSNA/pdf/Imprint_Jan09_Feat_Leonard.pdf • To find a BSN completion program, go to: http

://www.rntobsnprograms.com/rn-to-bsn-completion-programs/

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http://www.nsna.org/Portals/0/Skins/NSNA/pdf/Imprint_Jan09_Feat_Leonard.pdf



http://www.rntobsnprograms.com/rn-to-bsn-completion-programs/




SEEKING A HIGHER DEGREE

• MSN and/or MPH?• Doctoral Degrees – DNP, PhD• Preparation for higher levels of practice/different

type of practice?• See: Your Guide to Graduate Nursing Programs

www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/brochures/GradStudentsBrochure.pdf

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http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/brochures/GradStudentsBrochure.pdf

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/publications/brochures/GradStudentsBrochure.pdf

CONSIDERATIONS• Cost vs. benefit of getting the degree• Time commitments/restraints• Money – look for sources of financial assistance. See:

http://www.aacn.nche.edu/students/financial-aid and, for future Nurse Educators: http://www.aacn.nche.edu/media-relations/FS_Funding.pdf

• Family and employer factors• Goals – career and personal• Format – in-person/on-line/hybrids• What are you looking for out of your educational

experience? • What can you put in?

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http://www.aacn.nche.edu/students/financial-aid

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NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

NATIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

• American Nurses Credentialing Center • For nurses only• APHN-BC, PHCNS-BC or CHN

• National Board of Public Health Examiners• CPH – “Certified in Public Health” • Must have completed an MPH• Public health generalist

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PUBLIC HEALTH CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTS

PERSPECTIVES FROM ACHNE, APHA-PHN, ASTDN, & ANA MEMBERS

PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTS

• Survey Conducted in March/April, 2012• Sample: 897 Surveys completed• Membership in sponsoring organizations

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• The Sample• Primary Setting• 65% Official PH setting• 17% Faculty• Others - Hospital, State Consultant, School Health, CDC

• Primary Role• 33% Administrative• 30% Staff Nurse• 18% Faculty• 2% Educator

• Education• 16% ADN• 36% BSN• 30% Masters prepared (21% MSN; 6% MPH; 3% MS)• 16% Doctorally prepared

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Certification Status•Majority (69%) of respondents are not certified in Public Health (PHN or PH)• 79% were never certified in PHN or PH

•Current Certifications held include:• 4% (35) APHN-BC• 5% (42) PHCNS-BC• 3% (22) PH (non-nursing)• 22%(190) Hold other certifications

•60% interested in becoming certified • 55% PHN• 5% PH

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Rewards, Incentives, Barriers to Certification

•79% Were unaware of the new eligibility criteria for PHN certification.•90% Employers do not require certification•75% No incentive offered by employer•12% Certification helped them when applying to new positions

• 32% Felt it did not help• 55% Did not know if it made a difference

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Barriers to Certification

• 52% Lack of knowledge of certification opportunities• 52% Unaware of eligibility criteria• 41% Cost• 40% Not valued/rewarded by employer• 36% Time to Prepare• 16% Other - retired, job security in question, no

study guide, unaware of testing process or location.

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Motivators to becoming Certified• 58% Enhanced Professional Credibility• 55% Evidence of Professional Commitment• 51% Personal Satisfaction• 50% Feeling of Personal Accomplishment• 49% Validates Specialized Knowledge• 44% Professional Challenge• 42% Indicates Higher Level of Clinical Competence• 32% Increased Marketability• 26% Recognition from Peers• 25% Recognition from other Healthcare Professionals• 14% Required by Employer• 12% Increased Consumer Confidence• 10% Increased Salary

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Certification Preparation• 62% 4 - One hour webinars with content review• 58% One hour webinar certification options• 57% One hour webinar How to Prepare/Study

Resources• 32% 4 Hour Content Review Webinar• 7% Other

• Regional review (face to face)• One on One trainings• Self-paced, self study modules online• Study guide (paper)

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CERTIFICATIONADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES

Advantages/Pluses Barriers/MinusesShows personal accountability for your practice

Not always recognized by employers as important

Validates competence - Professional distinction lends credibility and prestige

May not garner additional rewards (pay, rank) for certification

Employers and unions sometimes reimburse exam fees

Can be expensive•$200-350 for APHN-BC exam•$400-550 for CPH exam•Renewals

Encourages/shows lifetime learningPersonal satisfaction

PHNs with MPH will need to decide: Which exam? Or both? 24

AMERICAN NURSES CREDENTIALING CENTER (ANCC)

• Different categories have been provided for PHNs1. Public Health Nurse, Advanced (APHN-BC-Advanced

Public Health Nurse-Board Certified). Currently available. 2. Clinical Nurse Specialist in Public/Community Health

(PHCNS-BC) – Exam has been retired/can be renewed if professional development and practice hours requirements are met. No testing option for renewal.

3. Community Health Nursing - Exam also retired, but can be renewed if professional development and practice hour requirements have been met. No testing option for renewal.

• Initial certification is renewed every 5 years.

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ELIGIBILITY - ANCC EXAMS

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CertificationOptions

MSN inC/ PHN

MPH3 P's and 500Clinical Hours

Yes Option A No

APHN-BCPHNCNS-BC*

Yes No

Graduate Degree inNursing or related

field with 2000practice hours

APHN-BC

Yes Option B No

APHN-BC

Option C

*The CNS designation must be selected when registering(select credentials section) to take theAPHN exam.

RECERTIFICATION ISSUES - ANCC

• Can track continuing education credits in the ANCC system between certification periods, which is very helpful.

• TRAIN and other Learning Management Systems may also be used to track hours of continuing education.

• Applications for renewal are due 8 weeks before certification lapses.

• For 2 exams(Clinical Nurse Specialist in Public/ Community Health or PHCNS-BC and Community Health Nursing), there is no testing option available for renewal.

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OPTIONS FOR RENEWAL

Option A: Professional Development plus Practice Hours•Current, active RN license;•Hold a current ANCC certification (not lapsed);•Complete within the 5 years preceding renewal application:

• Professional development requirements for your certification specialty; and• 1,000 practice hours in your certification role and population/specialty.

Option B: Professional Development plus Testing This option applies only to those certifications in which an exam is available.•Current, active RN license;•Hold a current ANCC certification;•Within the 5 years preceding your renewal application:

• Complete the professional development requirements for your specific certification; and

• Pass the exam. (If you do not pass the exam, your certification is no longer valid.)

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PRACTICE HOURS REQUIRED FOR RENEWAL

• You must complete a minimum of 1,000 practice hours in your certification specialty within the 5 years preceding the postmark on your renewal application.

• You can count hours of employment or as a volunteer.

• Faculty can use hours of direct clinical supervision of students for clinical practice. The direct clinical supervision must be in the certification specialty.

• Advanced practice (CNS and NP) faculty must have direct supervision of advanced practice nursing students.

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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HOURS REQUIRED FOR RENEWAL

• Must be completed within the 5 years preceding renewal in two of the six professional development categories.

• Categories 1–5 may be doubled; 6 may not. (See next slide for categories.)

• Beginning January 1, 2014, all candidates must complete Category 1 (75 continuing education hours), plus one additional category.

• Candidates are allowed to fulfill the entire Professional Development requirement by submitting twice under Category 1, for a total of 150 continuing education hours.

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CATEGORIES, SUMMARIZED

Category Requirement1 Continuing Education Hours - 75 2 Academic Credits - 5 Semester or 6 Quarter 3 Educational Presentations – 5 4 Publication or Research – different requirements for

different types of publications, research. 5 Preceptor – 120 hours6 Professional Service – 2 or more years

For more detail, see: Pages 5 through 11 at http://www.nursecredentialing.org/RenewalApplicationForm.aspx

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MATERIALS AND RESOURCESAVAILABLE FROM ANCC

• Sample test questions• Posters, brochures to promote certification

• PDFs of publications are available from ANCC• ANCC will mail multiple copies to facilities - complete an online form

• ANCC Certification Applications • School Codes Directory• “Building A Better Future”

• Film showing value of certification to nurses, administrators, patients• Faculty can share the link with students or request a free DVD [email protected]

• Recommended Reading List • Review Seminar - Available to schools/agencies

• School/agency provides space and audio-visual needs• A minimum of 25 attendees are required, but with advanced notice, ANCC will market to

fill the room. • Nurses from your agency can get a substantial discount to attend.

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NATIONAL BOARD OF PUBLIC HEALTH EXAMINERS

(NBPHE)• CPH exam – “Certified in Public Health”

• Generalist; not specific to PH Nursing

• An alternative certification for those who have earned a graduate level degree (Masters or Doctoral) from a school or program of public health accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH)

• http://www.publichealthexam.org/Exam.cfm

• May compete with ANCC for credentialing of PHNs with MPH

• Maintenance requirements currently being determined – 50 hours every 2 years

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HOW DO THE TESTS COMPARE?

CONTENT AREASANCC NBPHE• Foundations of advance PHN

practice • Human development• Epidemiology and biostatistics• Evaluation and research• Assessment of public and

community health • Strategies to improve public and

community health• Health promotion, disease

prevention and risk reduction• Education for populations and

communities• Health systems, organizations and

networks• LeadershipSee:

http://www.nursecredentialing.org/Documents/Certification/TestContentOutlines/PublicHealthNursingAdvancedTCO.aspx

5 Core Areas: •Biostatistics•Environmental health services•Epidemiology•Health policy and management•Social and behavioral sciencesCross-Cutting Areas:•Communication and informatics•Diversity and culture•Leadership•Public health biology•Professionalism•Programs planning•Systems thinking

See: http://www.nbphe.org/Examinfo.cfm

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EXAM PREPARATION

• Both organizations have study guides available.

• Additional information is available on their websites.

• Develop a study plan early.

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CPH EXAM RESOURCES

• Online resources available: http://www.nbphe.org/study.cfm • ASPH Study Guide:

http://www.asph.org/cphstudyguide/ • Jones and Bartlett Study Guide:

www.jblearning.com/catalog/9780763779269/ • Webinars on NBPHE website:

http://www.nbphe.org/webinar.cfm • Practice Exam Questions can be found at

http://www.nbphe.org/FAQs.cfm#SampleQs

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PREPARING FOR CERTIFYING EXAMS – STUDY TIPS

What can you do on your own?

•Read all materials on the website very carefully. •Look carefully at the topical areas covered and assess where you need to spend more of your time preparing. •Use current texts to study. •Review class notes and materials. •Look up online resources•Download and take the sample test.

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MORE STUDY TIPS…

• Prepare for the process of test-taking:• Review the test procedures described on the website. • Find out where your nearest testing center is. Many

centers allow you to arrange a tour before the test date.• Leave time to prepare on test day. Remember your

admission paperwork.

• Can you make it a group project? • “Study Buddies” are very helpful, even if they are

“virtual.”• If you think you can muster 25 people, consider asking

ANCC to give a review course at your facility.

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STUDY GUIDE

• Refer to the Study Guide.

• Formatted by Topical Area.

• See Reference List.

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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

ASTDN• Wednesday, May 9th

• 12:30 to 4 PM• Austin, TX• Review of study guide

and study tips

ACHNE• Saturday, June 9th • 10:15 -11:15 AM• Portland, Oregon• Overview of

certification process and study tips

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QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

• The link to the archive and the slides will be posted on the ASTDN website at www.astdn.org • An email will be sent via the ASTDN, ACHNE, and

APHA-PHN section list serves when the archive is ready• Dr. Lisa Campbell can be contacted via email with

further certification questions: [email protected]

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THANK YOU!

• Thank you for attending today’s presentation.

• For additional information:• Study Guide• Resource Handout

Please consider taking the certification exam!

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