PREPARING FOR THE ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CERTIFICATION EXAM
ASTDN ConferenceMay 9, 2012
PRESENTERS
Lisa Campbell, DNP, RN, APHN-BC, GNP-BC
PHN Section-APHA, ASTDN, ANA
Victoria, TX
Michelle Cravetz, MS, RN-BC, APHN-BC
ASTDN, ACHNE, PHN Section-APHA
Albany, NY
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PROGRAM SUPPORT
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AGENDA
1. PHN Practice Standards and Credentialing
1. National Certification
2. Certification Registration and Preparation
3. Exam Content and Scoring
4. Study Tips
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LEARNING OBJECTIVESAt the end of this offering, the learner will be able to:
Apply for certification as an Advanced Public Health Nurse through the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC);
Locate application and guidance materials on the web;
Describe the various content areas covered by the ANCC APHN Exam;
Demonstrate competency in use of the provided Study Guide;
Apply exam preparation strategies to certification exams; and
Formulated a plan for taking and passing the APHN exam.
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PROFESSIONALS ARE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR PRACTICE
Public Health Nurses demonstrate accountability 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 Nurses
-Developed by PHNs to outline expectations for the highest level of practice.
Quad Council of Public Health Nursing Organizations
-Core Competencies for Public Health Nurses
-Outlines 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. 7
OPTIONS FOR NATIONAL CERTIFICATION
• American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
• Applies to nurses with MS in Nursing or MPH• Credential granted: APHN-BC, PHCNS-BC or CHN
• National Board of Public Health Examiners
• Applies only to PHNs with MPHs• Credential granted: CPH
-- This workshop covers preparation for the ANCC exam only. --
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PUBLIC HEALTH CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTS
PERSPECTIVES FROM ACHNE, APHA-PHN, ASTDN & ANA MEMBERS
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PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTS
Survey Conducted in March/April, 2012
Sample: 897+ Surveys completed
• Membership in sponsoring organizations
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PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTSThe Sample
• Primary Setting• 65% Official Public Health• 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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PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTS
Certification Status
Of the respondents:
• 69% (619) were not certified in Public Health• 79% (709) were never certified in PH or as a PHN • 32% (289) held current certifications (APRN, other)• 60% (538) were interested in becoming certified
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PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTS
Rewards, Incentives, Barriers to Certification
Barriers to Certification
• Cost
• Not valued/rewarded by employer
• Time to Prepare
• Other 16% (144) - retired, job security in question, no study guide, unaware of testing process or location
Only 12% (108) indicated certification helped them when applying to new positions
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PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY RESULTS
Motivators for Becoming Certified
• 58% Enhanced Professional Credibility• 55% Evidence of Professional Commitment• 51% Personal Satisfaction• 50% Feeling of Personal Accomplishment• 49% Validates Specialized Knowledge
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PREPARING FOR CERTIFICATION
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“No Investment No Return”
DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITYCertification
Options
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 the APHN exam.
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REGISTEROn-line registration process if paying with credit card.
Other requirements:
• Select eligibility option• License verification• Transcripts• Fees
• $270. ANA Members
• $340. APHA PHN Section Members
• $395. Non-members
• Approval can take 6-8 weeks
Letter of approval to test arrives, then:
• Schedule a test within 90 days of approval• Results instant after completion of exam 17
MAKE A PLAN, STAN!
By now you know your own learning style, so plan accordingly.
•Read everything on the ANCC website about the exam very carefully – twice.
•Talk to colleagues who have taken the exam.
•Make some decisions:
• What can I do on my own? What support do I have?• How shall I schedule preparation?• What is the best way for me to prepare? • Where do I need the most help?
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SELF-ASSESS Go to the ANCC website or the Study Guide.
Look very carefully at the content areas that will be tested and
the percentage of the test that will be within that content area.
Determine where you need to spend the most time in
preparation.
Find the right resources to help you with your weak areas –
texts, class notes, the web.
As you study and review, try to connect the content and
theories to your actual experiences as a PHN.
Download and take the sample test.
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MORE TO CONSIDER
Prepare for the process of test-taking:• Review the test procedures described on the website. • Find out where your nearest testing center location. 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.”
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GATHER YOUR RESOURCES
• Study Guide
• A good, current Public Health Nursing text
• Your computer
• Environmental resources – Where you can prepare
• Class notes, notes/slides from courses, continuing education offerings
• Colleagues
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AVAILABLE FROM ANCCSample test questions – on the website
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 - bundles
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 22
OUR STUDY GUIDE
• The Study Guide is formatted by topical area.
• It is not designed to be all-inclusive• It does not reveal any particular test questions.• It is only meant to jog your memory.• Web - and textbook - based references are included.
-- Let’s go through the Study Guide now! --
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TAKE THE TEST• Remember to read carefully the materials about what is
allowed in the testing area.
• Get plenty of sleep the night before.
• Come fed and hydrated.
• The test is computer based.
• There are test questions on the exam that will not be graded.
• Take your time. Remain calm, take your pulse! And read carefully.
• If you pass, the test center will issue your certificate before you leave the center.
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MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION
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RECERTIFYING• You are required to recertify every 5 years.
• There are various methods for recertifying.
• Again, materials are posted on the ANCC website.
• You can track your continuing education credits online.
• Submit all paper work 8 weeks prior to expiration of your certification.
• Renewal Fees
• $200. ANA Member• $280. APHA PHN Section Members• $350. Non-members
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UPCOMING WORKSHOPS
ACHNE Annual Institute
Saturday, June 9th
10:15 -11:15 AM
Portland, Oregon
Overview of certification process and study tips
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THANKS!
Now go forth
and
CERTIFY!
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