8/11/2012 PREPARING FOR THE ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CERTIFICATION EXAM PRESENTERS PROGRAM SUPPORT AGENDA LEARNING OBJECTIVES

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1 PREPARING FOR THE ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CERTIFICATION EXAM PRESENTERS Lisa Campbell, DNP, RN, APHN-BC, GNP-BC PHN Section-APHA, ASTDN, ANA Victoria, TX ASTDN Conference May 9, 2012 Michelle Cravetz, MS, RN-BC, APHN-BC ASTDN, ACHNE, PHN Section-APHA Albany, NY 2 PROGRAM SUPPORT AGENDA 1. PHN Practice Standards and Credentialing 1. National Certification 2. Certification Registration and Preparation 3. Exam Content and Scoring 4. Study Tips 3 4 LEARNING OBJECTIVES At 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 t 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. 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

2 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 PUBLIC HEALTH CERTIFICATION SURVEY Survey Conducted in March/April, 2012 Sample: 897+ Surveys completed Membership in sponsoring organizations PERSPECTIVES FROM ACHNE, APHA-PHN, ASTDN & ANA MEMBERS 9 10 The 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 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

3 PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY 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 Motivators for Becoming Certified 58% 55% 51% 50% 49% Enhanced Professional Credibility Evidence of Professional Commitment Personal Satisfaction Feeling of Personal Accomplishment Validates Specialized Knowledge Only 12% (108) indicated certification helped them when applying to new positions PREPARING FOR CERTIFICATION DETERMINE YOUR ELIGIBILITY No Investment No Return REGISTER On-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? 18 3

4 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. 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. Download and take the sample test 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 AVAILABLE FROM ANCC Sample 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 anccmarketing@ana.org 21 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! -- 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

5 MAINTAINING CERTIFICATION 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 UPCOMING WORKSHOPS ACHNE Annual Institute Saturday, June 9 th 10:15-11:15 AM Portland, Oregon Overview of certification process and study tips 28 THANKS! Now go forth and CERTIFY! 29 5