The Essentials of Cardiac-Vascular Nurse Certification: Everything You Need to Know to Get Certified in 2013

Transcription

1 The Essentials of Cardiac-Vascular Nurse Certification: Everything You Need to Know to Get Certified in 2013 Barbara Masters, BSN, RN-BC Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL ANCC Board Certified Cardiac-Vascular Nurse

2 Belleville,Illinois 15 Miles east of St. Louis, Missouri 316 Bed Community Hospital Employs over 800 nurses Accreditations ANCC Magnet Accreditation HFAP Accreditation Chest Pain Center Accredited by Society of Chest Pain Centers Diabetes Center Accredited by American Diabetes Association Breast Center Accredited by American College of Radiology

3 OBJECTIVES: 1. Describe the value of certification 2. List eligibility requirements for Cardiac-Vascular certification 3. Generate a sample application form 4. Discuss effective exam preparation strategies

4 ANCC CARDIAC-VASCULAR NURSE CERTIFICATION The Cardiac-Vascular Nurse certification is a specialized certification that indicates the RN has achieved excellence in caring for those patients who have been diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Validating your nursing skills, knowledge, and abilities, ANCC certification empowers nurses in their professional specialty and contributes to better patient outcomes (ANCC, 2012)

5 BENEFITS FOR YOU Professional recognition and credibility confirms a nurse s competency and capabilities Professional achievement validates and distinguishes nurse s specialized knowledge Personal accomplishment sense of pride, fulfillment and empowerment May be useful for career advancement and professional opportunities in some facilities Encompasses all aspects of nursing care for the cardiac or vascular patient, including identifying the psychosocial issues that may affect the patient and affect their care

6 BENEFITS FOR YOUR EMPLOYER Recognition demonstrating that the nursing staff is qualified, knowledgeable, experienced, and has met rigorous requirements Nurse certification rate is one factor considered by the American Nurses Credentialing Center during a Magnet designation or re-designation application process The gold standard is reported to be 50% or greater nurse certification rate

7 CARDIAC-VASCULAR NURSING CERTIFICATION ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA Hold a current, active RN license within a state or territory of the United States or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country Have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as a registered nurse Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in cardiac vascular nursing within the last 3 years Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in cardiac vascular nursing within the last 3 years

8 CARDIAC-VASCULAR NURSE EXAM Choose to apply online or by mail; not both You may apply for this computer-based test year round and test during a 90-day window at a time and location convenient to you The exam allows 3.5 hours to answer 175 questions (150 scored plus 25 pretest questions that are not scored).

9 CARDIAC-VASCULAR NURSE EXAM CONTENT There are 175 questions on this examination. Of these, 150 are scored questions and 25 are pretest questions that are not scored. Category Domains of Practice No. of Percent Questions I Assessment and Diagnosis 24 16% II Planning and Implementation 33 22% III Evaluation 27 18% IV Cardiac/Vascular Education for Patients, Families, or Groups 26 17% V Professional Role Performance 40 27% Total %

10 CARDIAC-VASCULAR NURSING EXAM SAMPLE QUESTIONS 1. A 50-year-old patient who was admitted with an acute myocardial infarction has had an uncomplicated clinical course and is being discharged. The patient consistently presents a pleasant affect and jokes lightly about my poor heart. Which is the cardiac/vascular nurse's most appropriate response? I wonder if you are worried about your heart. It is nice to see you in good spirits. You were really sick. I'm glad you can talk about it now. You would not be discharged if you weren't doing fine. 2. Examination of a patient in a supine position reveals jugular veins from the base of the neck to the angle of the jaw. This finding indicates: decreased venous return. increased central venous pressure. increased pulmonary artery capillary pressure. left-sided heart failure

11 Cardiac-Vascular Nursing Exam Sample Questions 3. When caring for a patient who has intermittent claudication, a cardiac/vascular nurse advises the patient to: apply graduated compression stockings before getting out of bed. elevate the legs when sitting. refrain from exercise. walk as tolerated. 4. A cardiac/vascular nurse reviews recommended activities with a male patient who sustained a myocardial infarction. The patient states, It doesn't really matter what I do or don't do. I will either get better or die. His statement reflects: acceptance of his changed health status. an internal locus of control. feelings of loss of control. projection.

12 ANCC CARDIAC-VASCULAR NURSE INITIAL CERTIFICATION APPLICATION FEE $395 Non-member $340 AACVPR member $340 PCNA member

13 APPLICATION FORMS Apply Online Read Eligibility Criteria for how to qualify Apply Online Questions? Refer to General Testing & Renewal Handbook [pdf] Customer Care or call Apply by Mail Read Eligibility Criteria for how to qualify Download Application Form [pdf] This is a fillable PDF form. Type directly into the application, then save to your computer. The latest version of Adobe Reader is required. Download Adobe Reader (Free) Print and mail with required attachments and payment to the address on the application. Questions? Refer to General Testing & Renewal Handbook [pdf] Customer Care or call

14 EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES Study Aids Practice Questions For Purchase Test Content Outline Test Reference List Sample test questions and answers free Test taking strategies online course Review & Resource Manual Seminars/Study Groups Cardiac Vascular-Blended Nursing Review Seminar Duluth, MN: Start 3/28/2013; End 3/28/2013 Cardiac Vascular-Blended Nursing Webinar. Start: 4/16/2013; End 5/14/2013

15 RENEWING YOUR NURSING CERTIFICATION Why do I need to renew my certification? ANCC certifications are valid for 5 years. To continue using your credentials, you must demonstrate expansion of professional knowledge and evidence of continued competence in your specialty. For APRNs, a valid certification is often required for practice. What are the renewal requirements? Download Renewal Requirements [pdf] Read General Testing & Renewal Handbook [pdf] Note: Updated renewal requirements will be fully in effect January 1, You will enjoy more options to meet professional development requirements.

16 WEBSITES Detailed information on the cardiac/vascular exam is on the PCNA website : Additional specific info can be found on the ANCC site: fiedvascularnurse.html Content outline can be accessed here: Sample test questions here:

17 Questions? THANK YOU!