Updating the Acute Care CPNP® Exam

Important Information for Faculty, Students, and Exam Candidates

2013-14 Job Practice Analysis

Acute Care CPNP Exam2013-14 Job Practice Analysis• The purpose of the job practice analysis,

or role delineation study (RDS), is to:• validate the inventory of the tasks and knowledge

statements related to work performed by acute care PNPs;

• ensure that the tasks and knowledge statements identified were congruent with the objective of certifying entry-level acute care PNPs; and,

• develop test specifications for the Acute Care CPNP examination.

Acute Care CPNP Exam2013-14 Job Practice Analysis• How and why a job practice analysis is

conducted:• Typically uses a survey instrument to obtain

descriptive information on demographics and role responsibilities every 3-5 years.

• Required of all nursing certification boards by their accrediting agency.

• Should identify tasks, knowledge, skills, or abilities deemed important to practice by PNPs with the goal of developing or updating an exam’s content outline.

SURVEY SUMMARY

The Acute Care CPNP Exam2013-14 Job Practice Analysis

Steps Involved & Results “at a glance”

Steps Involved…

• Over a period of several months, the following occurred:• Developed the survey instrument with subject

matter experts (SMEs) from around the country• Pilot tested the instrument for clarity and

comprehensiveness• Disseminated the survey• Analyzed survey data• Developed test specifications and the updated

content outline from survey findings and SME input

Overall Results at a Glance…• A total of 319 responses were used for

analysis.• The majority of respondents held the CPNP-AC

credential, worked in a university medical center (which includes children’s hospitals), and held a Master’s degree

• Survey participants responded to the following survey sections:• Section 1: Background & General Information• Section 2: Tasks• Section 3: Knowledge• Section 4: Technical Competencies• Section 5: Clinical Problems• Section 6: Recommendation for Exam Content• Section 7: Comments

Survey Responses: Comparing 2009 to 2013-14

Demographic Question 2009 2013-14Location of Practice Setting

• Urban 86.2%• Suburban 11.0%• Rural 2.8%

• Urban 81.2%• Suburban 16.3%• Rural 1.6%• Other <1.0%

Top Primary Practice Setting

1. University-affiliated medical center

2. Community Hospital

3. Other

1. University medical center (includes a children’s hospital)

2. Free-standing children’s hospital

3. Community HospitalPrimary Focus of Practice

1. Critical Care2. Emergency3. Cardiothoracic Surgery

1. Pediatric ICU2. Cardiac ICU3. Cardiology

Results at a Glance…Tasks & Knowledge• Overall, 141 of 151 tasks &

knowledge/skills, (92.86%) achieved high mean ratings for task and knowledge importance, thereby validating their importance to competent performance for Acute Care PNPs.

Results at a Glance…Tasks only• 91 of the 98 task statements achieved high

importance ratings.• The tasks with “borderline” performance ratings included:

• As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including oral health status

• Assess child’s and family’s knowledge and behavior and promote health regarding oral health

• Assess child’s and family's knowledge and behavior and promote health regarding sexual behavior and practices

• As part of diagnosing, determine health status specific to sexual/reproductive issues

Results at a Glance…Tasks only (cont.)• 91 of the 98 task statements achieved high

importance ratings.• The tasks with “failed” performance ratings include:

• As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including school performance

• As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including sexual behavior and practice

• As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including socioeconomic status

A total of 95 task statements were approved for inclusion.

Results at a Glance…Knowledge only• 50 of 53 knowledge statements

achieved high importance ratings.• The knowledge/skills rated “borderline” were:

• Complementary and alternative medicine• Disaster preparedness• Theories of education and learning

All 53 knowledge statements were approved for inclusion.

Results at a Glance…Technical Competencies• The 2013-14 study sought validation on a

list of 65 possible inclusions of procedures, physiologic monitoring/support, or interpretation of diagnostic results performed in acute care.• 16 specific technical competencies related to physiologic

monitoring/support and interpretation of diagnostic results were added as an addendum to the new content outline.

• The remaining 49 technical competencies related to procedures did not meet the threshold and were not included.

A total of 16 physiologic technical competencies were approved for inclusion.

OUTLINE OF CHANGES

The Acute Care CPNP Exam2013-14 Job Practice Analysis

Results “At a Glance”

How the 2013-14 Job Analysis Study Impacts the Exam

Topic 2009 2013-14Content Domains

I. Assessment & DiagnosisII. ManagementIII. Professional Practice Role

I. AssessmentII. DiagnosisIII. ManagementIV. Professional Practice Role

Number of Items / Time Allotment

• 3 hours• 175 Exam Questions

(150 scored/25 pre-test items)

• 3 hours• 175 Exam Questions

(150 scored/25 pre-test items)

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam

Topic 2009 2013-14% of Items from each Content Domain

I. Assessment & Diagnosis (48%)

II. Management (48%)III. Professional Practice Role

(4%)

I. Assessment (20%)II. Diagnosis (25%)III. Management (50%)IV. Professional Practice Role

(5%)

Number of Tasks per Content Domain

I. Assessment & Diagnosis - 40II. Management – 43III. Professional Practice Role – 6

Total = 89

I. Assessment - 48II. Diagnosis - 11III. Management – 25IV. Professional Practice Role –

11

Total = 95

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam

TOPIC 2009 2013-14Prioritization of Clinical Problems / Body Systems

1. PULMONOLOGY2. CARDIOLOGY3. INFECTIOUS DISEASE4. NEUROLOGY 5. HEMATOLOGY / ONCOLOGY6. TRAUMA 7. GASTROINTESTINAL8. RENAL9. MUSCULOSKELETAL10. ENDOCRINE / METABOLIC11. IMMUNOLOGY12. OTOLARYNGOLOGY13. DERMATOLOGY

1. PULMONOLOGY2. CARDIOLOGY 3. INFECTIOUS DISEASES 4. TRAUMA/BURNS/MALTREATMENT5. NEUROLOGY/NEUROSURGERY6. ONCOLOGY7. GASTROINTESTINAL8. PAIN/SEDATION 9. MUSCULOSKELETAL10. OTOLARYNGOLOGY/CRANIO-FACIAL/

DENTAL11. HEMATOLOGY12. RENAL 13. ALLERGY/IMMUNOLOGY/

RHEUMATOLOGY 14. DERMATOLOGY 15. ENDOCRINOLOGY16. GENETICS/METABOLIC17. GENITOURINARY18. TOXICOLOGY

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Summary

• Majority of content areas from 2009 content outline remain valid.• Refined descriptions for clarity.

• “Assessment” and “Diagnosis” are now separate domains.

• Supporting list of technical competencies (e.g., physiologic monitoring/support and interpretation of diagnostic results) now a formal part of the content outline.

• Expanded list of clinical problems (body systems).

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Assessment

• Under Assessment:• Expanded and added definition to each

element of Health History and Physical Exam • Added assessment of child health risks • Validated and acknowledged elements

of health promotion within acute care practice

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Diagnosis

• Under Diagnosis:• Created separate domain for Diagnosis –

separating it from previous combined domain entitled “Assessment and Diagnosis”

• Combined and clarified identification of diagnostic elements (II.A. 1 thru 11)

• Collapsed specific body systems / clinical problems so that they are a backdrop to all domains

• Prioritization of body systems / clinical problems is standard across all domains

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Management

• Under Management:• In the acute care environment, where

Implementing, Evaluating and Revising interventions can occur rapidly... • Combined the threads of management

under one heading (III.A.1) such as: • Age-specific and situation-specific screening

and procedures• Complications• Medications• Response to therapy

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Management

• Under Management (cont.):• Collapsed specific body systems / clinical

problems so that they are a backdrop to all domains • Prioritization of body systems / clinical

problems is standard across all domains• Clarified and simplified elements of

• Education • Collaboration• Referral

How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Professional Practice Role

• Under Professional Practice Role:

• Updated, expanded and clarified the essential elements of professional practice as applied to the role of the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Acute Care CPNP Exam2013-14 Job Practice Analysis

Questions others are asking…• Q: When does the updated exam launch?

• A: It is expected to launch October 24, 2014.

• Q: Is there any advantage in taking one version of the exam over the other?• A: No, both will equally assess your knowledge.

• Q: Do I need to study differently if I choose to take the updated exam?• A: No, any preparations you undertake will benefit you

regardless of which exam version you take. The reference list remains the same because the tasks listed on the new outline have not changed significantly from the older one.

Acute Care CPNP Exam

We wish you much success on your upcoming exam.

If you have questions, please visit www.pncb.org or email exam@pncb.org.