Career Guide Your Guide to Certification

Here’s what you need to know to pursue recognition of your expertise.

SPECIALTY CERTIFICATION BOARD TITLE REQUIREMENTS

ADDICTIONS CARN Must hold a current full and unrestricted RN license in the U.S., its territories, or Canada. If licensed in CARN Certification more than one jurisdiction, the candidate must hold full and unrestricted licenses in all. Must have 3 Center for Nursing Education and Testing years of experience practicing as an RN and 4,000 hours of addictions nursing practice as an RN within 601 Pavonia Ave., Suite 201 the preceding 5 years. Experience may be as a staff nurse, administrator, educator, consultant, coun- Jersey City, NJ 07306 selor, private practitioner, or researcher. (800) 463-0786 www.intnsa.org Fees: IntNSA members, $175; nonmembers, $275. Valid for 4 years; may retake exam or document con- tact hours. Must hold a current CARN certification or meet eligibility criteria. Must have a master’s or higher degree in nursing or a related field. Must have minimum of 500 hours of supervised direct client contact in advanced clinical practice in addictions, psychiatric, or mental health nursing. All 500 hours of credit may have been earned in a master’s degree program. CARN-AP Fees: IntNSA members, $275; nonmembers, $375. Valid for 4 years; may retake exam or document con- tact hours.

CHILDBIRTH EDUCATORS LCCE Must be a graduate of a Lamaze-accredited childbirth educator program; or a currently licensed RN, Lamaze International (formerly CNM, RPT, MD; or have been awarded a bachelor’s or higher degree by a recognized institution of high- 2025 M St., NW, Suite 800 ACCE) er education; or a graduate of another childbirth educator program (such as ICEA, Bradley, Best). Candi- Washington, DC 20036 dates also need documentation of at least 144 instructional hours within the past 5 years, and (800) 368-4404 documentation of 30 contact hours applicable to childbirth education within the past 3 years. www.lamaze.org Fees: Lamaze International members, $195; nonmembers, $325.

CRITICAL CARE NURSING Fees: AACN members, CCRN, $220; CCNS, $325; nonmembers, CCRN, $300 (valid for 3 years); CCNS, AACN Certification Corporation $425 (valid for 4 years). May retake exam or provide documentation of contact hours. 101 Columbia Aliso Viejo, CA 92656-4109 (800) 899-2226; (949) 362-2000 [email protected] www.certcorp.org Adult Critical-Care Nurse CCRN Must have had active involvement in direct bedside care of critically ill adult patients. Must have a min- imum of 1,750 hours of practice experience within the 2 years preceding application, with 875 hours in the year previous to application; current unrestricted RN license in the U.S. Clinical Nurse Specialist in Acute and CCNS Must hold current unrestricted RN license in the U.S.; a master’s degree in nursing with evidence of Critical Care; Adult, Neonatal, or Pediatric CNS theory and clinical concentration in the care of the acutely or critically ill patient; and 500 hours in direct clinical practice within the master’s program. Recertify by exam or by completing a personal port- folio based on a self-assessment of learning needs. Neonatal Critical-Care Nurse CCRN Must have been actively involved in direct bedside care of critically ill neonatal patients. Must have a minimum of 1,750 hours within the 2 years preceding application, with 875 hours in the year previous to application; current unrestricted RN license in the U.S. Pediatric Critical-Care Nurse CCRN Must have been actively involved in direct bedside care of critically ill pediatric patients. Must have a minimum of 1,750 hours within the 2 years preceding application, with 875 hours in the year previous to application; current unrestricted RN license in the U.S.

Progressive Care Certified Nurse PCCN Must have been actively involved in direct bedside care of acutely ill adult patients. Must have a mini- mum of 1,750 hours within the 2 years preceding application, with 875 hours in the year previous to application; current unrestricted RN license in the U.S.

The information above was approved by each certifying organization. When we receive no response to a request for updated information, we publish the previous year’s data. If you would like us to include your certifying organization in the next annual Career Guide, please send the name of the certifying board, title of certification conferred, and requirements to The American journal of Nursing Career Guide, Lippincott Williams & Wilkens, 333 Seventh Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10001.

50 AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 DIABETES EDUCATORS CDE Must hold current unrestricted U.S. license or registration as an RN, RD, physician, pharmacist, podia- National Certification Board for Diabetes trist, optometrist, PA, PT, OT, or clinical psychologist, or be a master’s-level exercise physiologist or Educators social worker. Must be currently practicing in diabetes self-management education within the U.S. or its 330 East Algonquin Rd., Suite 4 territories. Must have a minimum of 2 years’ (24 months’) experience as a diabetes educator and a min- Arlington Heights, IL 60005 imum of 1,000 hours of professional practice experience in diabetes self-management education within [email protected] the U.S. or its territories over a period of no less than 2 years and no more than 5 years after meeting www.ncbde.org education requirements and before applying for the certification exam. Fees: $250. Valid for 5 years; may retake the exam or recertify with contact hours.

EMERGENCY NURSING CEN Must hold current unrestricted RN license. Recommended: 2 years’ experience in Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing practice. 915 Lee St. Des Plaines, IL 60016 Fee: ENA members, $220; nonmembers, $360. Valid for 4 years; recertify by retaking exam, with contact [email protected] hours, or by taking internet-based exam. www.ena.org/bcen Emergency Nurse

FLIGHT NURSING CFRN Must hold current unrestricted RN license. Recommended: 2 years’ experience in flight nursing practice. Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing It is not necessary to have a BSN to take the certification exam. 915 Lee St. Des Plaines, IL 60016 Fees: ENA or ASTNA members $230; nonmembers, $370. Valid 4 years; recertify by computer exam or [email protected] with contact hours. www.ena.org/bcen

GASTROENTEROLOGY CGN Must have worked in gastroenterology for 2 years full-time or the part-time equivalent of 4,000 hours Certifying Board of Gastroenterology Nurses CGRN within the past 5 years. and Associates, Inc. 401 North Michigan Avenue Fees: SGNA members, $300; nonmembers, $385. Valid for 5 years; must retake the exam or recertify Chicago, IL 60611-4267 with 100 contact hours. [email protected] www.cbgna.org

GENETICS NURSING APNG Credentialing is obtained through successful completion of a professional portfolio review process. Genetic Nursing Credentialing Commission, Proof of RN license in good standing; 300 hours of genetics practicum experience as a clinical genetics Inc. (GNCC) nurse with greater than 50% genetics practice component; completion of log of 50 cases within 5 years P.O. Box 67 of the application; 4 written case studies reflecting ISONG standards of clinical genetics nursing prac- Keuka Park, NY 14478 tice; graduation from an accredited graduate program in nursing; 50 hours of genetics content in the [email protected] preceding 5 years through academic courses or continuing education; evidence of patient/family and/or www.geneticnurse.org client teaching absolutely required for credential award; evidence of education provided to other profes- sionals, consumers, and community groups is valuable; performance verification from employer, supervi- in Genetics sor, or professional colleague with whom the applicant has practiced in the past 2 years. Other achievements: abstracts, abbreviated reports, listing of publications and related materials will be recog- nized as evidence. Valid for 5 years. Fees: ISONG members, $400; nonmembers, $550.

Genetics Clinical Nurse GCN Credentialing is obtained through successful completion of a professional portfolio review process. Proof of RN license in good standing; 3 years’ experience (after baccalaureate completion) as a clinical genetics nurse with greater than 50% genetics practice component; log of 50 cases within 5 years of the application; 4 written case studies reflecting ISONG standards; graduation from an accredited bac- calaureate program in nursing; 50 contact hours of genetics content through academic courses or con- tinuing education within the 5 calendar years preceding the application; evidence of patient/family and/or client teaching; evidence of genetics-related in-service education; performance verification from employer, supervisor, or professional colleague with whom the applicant has practiced in the past 2 years. Other achievements: abstracts, abbreviated reports, listing of publications and related materials will be recognized as credential. Fees: ISONG members, $400; nonmembers, $550.

HEALTH CARE QUALITY CPHQ Interdisciplinary certification for RNs, medical records technologists, physicians, other clinicians, and Healthcare Quality Certification Board managers. P.O. Box 19604 Lenexa, KS 66285-9604 Fees: NAHQ members, $370; nonmembers, $440. Valid for 2 years; recertify with 30 contact hours every [email protected] 2 years. www.cphq.org

AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 51 Career Guide

HIV/AIDS NURSING ACRN Must hold current RN license in the U.S., or the international equivalent, and have 2 years of experi- HIV/AIDS Nursing Certification Board ence in clinical practice, education, management, or research in HIV/AIDS nursing. 3538 Ridgewood Road Akron, OH 44333 Fees: ANAC members, $260; nonmembers, $400. Valid for 4 years; recertify by retaking the exam or www.anacnet.org/certification/hancb/index. acquiring 70 contact hours. html

AIDS Certified AACRN Must hold current RN license in the U.S., or the international equivalent, have a master’s or higher degree in nursing, and have at least 3 years experience as a RN—and 2,000 hours of HIV/AIDS nurs- ing—in the 5 years prior to application. Fees: ANAC members, $325; nonmembers, $425. Valid for 4 years; recertify by retaking the exam or with qualifying contact hours.

HOLISTIC NURSING HNC Must hold current unrestricted RN license and the minimum of a bachelor’s degree. Minimum of 1 year American Holistic Nurses’ Certification Corp. full-time practice as a holistic nurse, or part-time at a minimum of 2,000 hours within last 5 years. Min- 5102 Ganymede Dr. imum of 48 contact hours in the area of . Must meet criteria for qualitative assessment Austin, TX 78727 and pass the national exam. Call (877) 284-0998, toll-free, for additional information. [email protected] http://ahna.org/edu/certification.html Fees: $25 application; $150 qualitative assessment; $250 quantitative test. Valid for 5 years; recertifi- cation with 100 contact hours, of which 20 must be directly focused on holistic nursing theories or the- orists. The remaining 80 hours can be related to holistic modalities, methods of practice, and studies that facilitate self-care, growth, and transformation within a holistic context.

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE NURSING CHPN Must hold current RN license in the U.S., or the equivalent in Canada; at least 2 years of experience in National Board for Certification of Hospice hospice and palliative nursing practice recommended. and Palliative Nurses Penn Center West One, Suite 229 Fees: HPNA members, $245; nonmembers, $345. Renewal: members, $210; nonmembers, $310. Pittsburgh, PA 15276 [email protected] CHPNA Must complete documentation to prove attainment of 2,000 hours practiced under the supervision of www.hpna.org an RN in the preceding 2 years. Fees: HPNA members, $95; nonmembers, $145. CHPLN Must hold current license as a practical/vocational nurse in the U.S.; at least 2 years of experience in hospice and palliative LP/VN practice recommended. Fees: HPNA members, $170; nonmembers, $245. APRN, BC- Must hold a current active RN license in the U.S. or its territories. Must have graduated from a pro- PCM gram offered by an accredited institution granting graduate level academic credit for all course work and that includes both didactic and clinical components. Must hold one of the following degrees: (a) a master’s or higher degree in nursing earned in an Advanced Practice or Palliative Care master’s or post- master’s certificate program entailing a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice in pallia- tive care; (b) a master’s or post-master’s or higher degree from an APN or CNS or NP program with 500 hours of post-master’s practice. Fees: HPNA members, $180; nonmembers, $250.

INFECTION CONTROL CIC Must hold current license or registration as an RN, medical technologist, or physician. Must have a Certification Board of Infection Control and minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a –related field. Waiver process is available to candi- Epidemiology, Inc. dates who do not meet education requirements. Must have practiced infection control for a minimum P.O. Box 19554 of 2 years. Lenexa, KS 66285 [email protected] Fees: $295. Valid for 5 years; may retake exam ($260) or the Self-Assessment Recertification Examina- www.cbic.org tion (SARE) ($325).

INFUSION NURSING CRNI Must have a minimum of 1,600 hours of experience as an RN in infusion therapy within the 2 years Infusion Nurses Certification Corporation preceding the date of application, a current RN license in the U.S. or Canada, and must complete the 220 Norwood Park S. CRNI examination registration form. Norwood, MA 02062 [email protected] Fees: INS members, $225; nonmembers, $350. Recertify every 3 years by exam or with contact hours. www.ins1.org

52 AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 LACTATION CONSULTANT IBCLC Must have 45 hours of education specific to breastfeeding within the 3 years preceding the exam. International Board of Lactation Consultant Those holding a bachelor’s or higher degree must have 2,500 practice hours; those with 60 academic Examiners credits (associate degree or RN diploma) must have 4,000 hours of practice. Alternative pathways are 7309 Arlington Blvd., Suite 300 available. Falls Church, VA 22042-3215 [email protected] Fees: $395. Valid for 5 years; recertify by exam or with contact hours; after 10 years, by exam only. www.iblce.org

LEGAL NURSE CONSULTING LNCC Must hold full and unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories; have practiced 5 years as an American RN; have evidence of 2,000 hours of legal nurse consulting experience within the 3 years prior to the Certification Board* application. 401 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 60611-4267 Fees: AALNC members, $275; nonmembers, $375. Valid for 5 years; renew by exam or with contact [email protected] hours. www.aalnc.org

MANAGED CARE NURSING CMCN Must hold current RN or LPN license in the U.S., its territories, or protectorates. Must have 1 year of American Board of Managed Care Nursing full-time employment as an RN or LPN in areas of managed care, or 2 years as an RN or LPN providing 4435 Waterfront Dr., Suite 101 direct or indirect care in an acute care, outpatient, skilled nursing, or mental health facility or other Glen Allen, VA 23060 health care organization, or as an educator or consultant; or 1 year of acceptable case management [email protected] employment experience. www.abmcn.org Fees: $250 for exam (home study: $295 members; $395 nonmembers). Recertify ($55) every 3 years, requires 25 contact hours, verification of current RN/LPN license.

MEDICAL– CMSRN Must hold current full and unrestricted license as a nurse in the U.S. or its territories, or in the Medical–Surgical Nursing Certification country where the nursing education was completed, and meet the eligibility for U.S. RN licensure Board in accordance with the requirements of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools AMSN National Office (CGFNS). Must have a minimum of 2 full years, during the past 5 years, of experience practicing East Holly Ave., P.O. Box 56 as an RN in an adult medical–surgical clinical setting. Must have a minimum of 3,000 hours of clinical Pitman, NJ 08071-0056 practice in an adult medical–surgical clinical setting as a staff nurse or clinical nurse specialist, or as a [email protected] clinical educator, faculty member, manager, or supervisor. www.medsurgnurse.org Fees: AMSN members, $225; nonmembers, $325. Valid for 5 years; recertify by retaking exam or with 90 contact hours.

NEPHROLOGY NURSING CHN Must have current U.S. RN license; technologists must have high school diploma or the equivalent; Board of Nephrology Examiners Nursing and CPDN both must have 2 years’ experience in providing care to patients with end-stage renal disease. Technology (BONENT) CHT P.O. Box 15945-282 HDT One year of nephrology nursing experience and a high school diploma or the equivalent. Lenexa, KS 66285 [email protected] Fees: exam, $195; annual fee, $55. Recertify every 4 years, must submit documentation of 45 contact www.goamp.com/bonent hours (30 nephrology-related) every 4 years or retake exam.

NEPHROLOGY NURSING CERTIFICATION CNN Must hold a full, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories, and a BSN. In the 3 years pre- COMMISSION ceding the application must have had a minimum of 2 years’ nephrology nursing experience as an RN East Holly Ave., P.O. Box 56 in general staff, administrative, teaching, or research (at least 50% of employment hours in nephrology Pitman, NJ 08071-0056 nursing), and have completed 30 contact hours in nephrology nursing. [email protected] www.nncc-exam.org Fees: ANNA members, $200; nonmembers, $250. Valid for 3 years; recertify by accruing 60 contact hours or retaking the exam. CDN Must hold current, full, and unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories; have completed a mini- mum of 2,000 hours as an RN in nephrology nursing during the preceding 2 years; have completed 15 approved contact hours in nephrology nursing within the 2 years prior to submission of application. Fees: ANNA members, $200; nonmembers, $250 (includes $50 nonrefundable application processing fee). Valid for 3 years; recertify by exam or with contact hours.

CCHT Must hold the minimum of a high school diploma or GED; have successfully completed a training pro- gram for hemodialysis patient care technicians that included classroom instruction and supervised clin- ical experience; obtain the signature of a preceptor/supervisor to verify training and clinical experience (minimum of 6 months’ or 1,000 hours’ clinical experience recommended before taking the exam); and be in compliance with state regulations. Fees: exam, $125 (includes $25 nonrefundable application processing fee). Valid for 2 years; recertify by exam or with contact hours.

*Has met the standards of the American Specialties, a national peer review program.

AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 53 Career Guide

NEUROSCIENCE NURSING CNRN Must have 2 years of experience in neuroscience nursing. Must be engaged in clinical practice or as a American Board of Neuroscience Nursing consultant, researcher, administrator, or educator in neuroscience nursing. 4700 W. Lake Ave. Glenview, IL 60025 Fees: AANN members, $215; nonmembers, $300. Valid for 5 years; recertify with contact hours or by [email protected] retaking the exam. www.aann.org

NURSE ADMINISTRATION— CDONA/ Must have been a director of nursing (DON) or an assistant DON in administration in a long-term care LONG-TERM CARE LTC setting for at least 12 months in the preceding 5 years. Former DONs and assistant DONs are eligible to NADONA/LTC Certification Registrar take the exam. 10101 Alliance Dr. #140 Cincinnati, OH 45242 Fees: NADONA/LTC members, $150; nonmembers, $225 (online registration fee of $195 for both at [email protected] www.nadona.org). Valid for 5 years; recertify with a $60 fee and validation of 75 contact hours every www.nadona.org 5 years.

NURSE ANESTHETIST CRNA Must be a graduate of a nurse educational program accredited by the Council on Accredita- Council on Recertification of Nurse tion of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs and have a current unrestricted RN license in the U.S. Anesthetists* and its territories. Applicant must document that RN license is not currently, and has not been previous- 222 South Prospect Ave. ly, subject to investigation or legal action, and that there are no mental, physical, or other problems that Park Ridge, IL 60068-5790 could interfere with the practice of anesthesia. [email protected] www.aana.com/council/default.asp Fees: $30 for recertification. Recertify every 2 years; document 40 approved contact hours; document substantial engagement in nurse anesthesia practice; have current unrestricted RN licensure; certify that RN license is not currently, and has not been previously, subject to investigation or legal action.

NURSE MIDWIFERY AND MIDWIFERY CNM Must be a licensed RN in the U.S. or its territories and have completed a nurse-midwifery program American College of Nurse–Midwives CM accredited (or preaccredited) by the Division of Accreditation of the American College of Nurse– Certification Council Midwives (with the signature of the director of the program on the test application). Candidates expecting 8201 Corporate Dr., Suite 550 to complete course work between the application deadline and exam date may apply for exam (confirma- Landover, MD 20785 tion of completed course work must be submitted to the ACC at least 3 days prior to the exam date). [email protected] www.accmidwife.org After initial certification as a CNM/CM, a Certificate Maintenance Program (CMP) application (mailed in January) must be returned prior to the deadline to avoid a late fee. Beginning the second year of the CMP, CNMs/CMsmust send the annual CMP Activity Report form. Notify the ACC directly of any address, telephone number, and name changes.

Fees: first year of certification, no fee. The CMP late fee: $50.00. Annual activity fee for the CMP: $90.00; 8-year fee the first year: $567.00.

NURSES IN NUTRITION SUPPORT CNSN Must hold current RN license in the U.S., or its equivalent in other countries. Candidates must have National Board of Nutrition Support a bachelor’s or higher degree and should have at least 2 years of experience in specialized nutrition Certification support. American Society for Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition Fees: A.S.P.E.N. members, $260; nonmembers, $310. Valid for 5 years; recertify by retaking the exam. 8630 Fenton St., Suite 412 Silver Spring, MD 20910-3805 [email protected] www.nutritioncertify.org [email protected] www.nutritioncare.org

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH NURSING COHN Must have 50 contact hours in occupational health, or in courses related to occupational health, taken American Board for Occupational Health COHN-S* within the preceding 5 years; have 2 years (4,000 hours) of experience in occupational health nursing; Nurses, Inc. have a valid nursing license; be employed a minimum of 8 hours a week in occupational health nursing. 201 East Ogden, Suite 114 Individual consideration is given to occupational health nurses who meet the experience criteria but are Hinsdale, IL 60521-3652 currently enrolled full-time in a graduate program in occupational health nursing or in a related field. [email protected] For COHN-S, a BSN is required. www.abohn.org Fees: application, $100; exam, $300; recertification, $250. Valid for 5 years; recertify with 75 contact hours in occupational health and 4,000 hours of work experience, or 100 contact hours and 3,000 hours of work experience.

Occupational Health Nurse Case Manager COHN/ Must currently be a COHN or COHN-S, have a current nursing license, and have earned 10 contact CM hours in case management within the past 5 years. COHN-S/ CM Fees: application, $50; exam, $150; recertification, $100. Valid for 5 years; recertify with 10 contact hours in occupational health, case management, and continued base certification.

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

54 AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 OCN Must have a minimum of 12 months of experience as an RN within the last 3 years, 1,000 hours of Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation* oncology nursing practice within the last 30 months, and a current, active, and unrestricted RN license. 125 Enterprise Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214 Fees: ONS/APON members, $260; nonmembers, $380. Valid for 4 years; may renew by ONC-PRO or [email protected] retest. Recertification by ONC-PRO: ONS members, $210; nonmembers, $330. Retest: ONS/APON mem- www.oncc.org bers, $260; nonmembers, $380.

AOCN Must have a minimum of 30 months of experience as an RN within the 5 years preceding the applica- tion, 2,000 hours of oncology nursing practice within the past 5 years, a current, active, and unrestricted RN license, and a master’s or higher degree in nursing. Fees: test no longer administered, but AOCN may recertify; may renew by ONC-PRO. ONS/APON mem- bers, $210; nonmembers, $330.

AOCNP Must have master’s or higher degree in nursing, completed a program, minimum of 500 hours of supervised practice as oncology nurse practitioner, and current, active, and unrestricted RN license. Fees: ONS/APON members, $260; nonmembers, $380. Valid for 4 years; may renew by ONC-PRO or retest. Recertification test for ONS/APON members, $260; nonmembers, $380, ONC-PRO members, $210; nonmembers, $330.

AOCNS Must have a master’s or higher degree in nursing, minimum of 500 hours supervised practice in advanced practice role in oncology nursing, and current, active, and unrestricted RN license. Fees: ONS/APON members, $260; nonmembers, $380. Valid for 4 years; may renew by ONC-PRO or retest. Recertification test for ONS/APON members, $260; nonmembers, $380, ONC-PRO members, $210; nonmembers, $330.

OPHTHALMIC NURSING CRNO Must be an RN with at least 2 years of full-time (4,000 hours) experience in ophthalmic nursing practice. National Certifying Board for Ophthalmic Registered Nurses Fees: ASORN members, $275; nonmembers, $350. Valid for 5 years; must retake exam or document 75 P.O. Box 193030 contact hours. San Francisco, CA 94119 [email protected] www.asorn.org

ORTHOPAEDIC NURSING ONC Must hold current unrestricted RN license with 2 years of experience and 1,000 hours of work experi- Orthopaedic Nurses Certification Board* ence in practice within the past 3 years. 401 North Michigan Ave., Suite 2200 Chicago, IL 60611 Fees: NAON members, $220; nonmembers, $320. Valid for 5 years; may retake exam or document 100 [email protected] contact hours. www.oncb.org

OTORHINOLARYNGOLOGY AND CORLN Must hold a current RN license in the U.S., or the equivalent in other countries (proof of licensure HEAD–NECK NURSES required). At least 3 years’ experience in otorhinolaryngology and/or head–neck nursing practice is rec- The National Certifying Board of Otorhino- ommended. laryngology and Head–Neck Nurses 116 Canal St., Suite A Fees: SOHN members, $275; nonmembers, $375. Valid for 5 years; must retake the exam or recertify New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 with 100 contact hours. [email protected] www.sohnnurse.com

PAIN MANAGEMENT FAAPM Interdisciplinary with 3 levels of credentialing: the diplomate certificate is awarded to those who have American Academy of Pain Management earned a doctorate in a related health care field and have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working 13947 Mono Way #A with patients in pain; the fellow certificate is awarded to those who have earned a master’s degree in a Sonora, CA 95370 related health care field and have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working with patients in pain; the [email protected] clinical associate certificate is awarded to those who have earned a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent www.aapainmanage.org in a related health care field and have a minimum of 5 years’ experience working with patients in pain. All applicants must submit 3 professional letters of reference, official academic transcripts, a curriculum vitae, proof of licensure, the application, and fees. The credentialing exam also must be passed. Fees: general membership, $160; credentialing application, $100; exam, $175; annual renewal, $160. Valid for 4 years; recertify by documenting 100 contact hours and submitting a copy of current license renewal and the $50 fee.

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 55 Career Guide

PEDIATRIC NURSING General Must provide documentation of current RN licensure in U.S. and completion of basic RN education Certification Board (PNCB) Pediatric (diploma; associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree). Must document 2 years of full-time or equivalent (formerly the National Certification Board of Nurse experience (3,600 hours, minimum) as an RN in a pediatric nursing specialty in a U.S. facility within the Pediatric Nurse Practitioners and Nurses, Inc.) CPN preceding 4 years, including direct patient care, teaching, administration, clinical research, or consulta- 800 S. Frederick Ave., Suite 104 tion in pediatric nursing. Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4151 [email protected] Fees: $280. Certification is renewed annually by documentation of 10 contact hours, 5 contact www.pncb.org hours/200 hours’ clinical practice, or 1 academic credit in pediatric nursing. Exams are computer-based, given year-round through Prometric Technology Testing Centers. On-site testing is offered at selected and conferences (paper-and-pencil exam)—check the NCBPNP/N Web site for locations.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner CPNP– Must be a graduate of a primary care PNP, post-master’s, or doctoral program recognized by the PNCB, Primary and submit documentation of appropriate PNP program completion and official graduate transcript(s). Care Special exam pathways and certification by endorsement also may be available to qualified candidates. Fees: $385. All exams are computer-administered and given year-round through Prometric Technology Testing Centers. Annual recertification is required through a variety of options including completion of primary care, pediatric pharmacology, or acute care PNP self-assessment exercises, completion of 10 related contact hours, or completion of 5 such hours in combination with 200 hours of documented clinical practice.

CPNP– Must be a graduate of an acute care PNP, post-master’s, or doctoral program recognized by the PNCB, Acute Care and submit documentation of appropriate PNP program completion and official graduate transcript(s). For a limited time, exam eligibility may be extended to qualified primary care certified PNPs who func- tion as ACPNPs. Additional information available at www.pncb.org. Fees: $385. All exams are computer-administered and given year-round through Prometric Technology Testing Centers. Annual recertification is required through a variety of options including completion of primary care, pediatric pharmacology, or acute care PNP self-assessment exercises, completion of 10 related contact hours, or completion of 5 such hours in combination with 200 hours of documented clinical practice.

PEDIATRIC ONCOLOGY CPON Must have a minimum of 12 months’ experience as an RN within the last 3 years, 1,000 hours pediatric Oncology Nursing Certification Corporation oncology nursing practice within the past 30 months, and a current RN license. 125 Enterprise Dr. Pittsburgh, PA 15275-1214 Fees: ONS or APON members, $260; nonmembers, $380. Valid for 4 years; recertification by ONC-PRO [email protected] or retesting. ONC-PRO: ONS/APON members, $210; nonmembers, $330. Recertification test: www.oncc.org ONS/APON members, $260; nonmembers, $380.

PERIANESTHESIA NURSING Candidates applying for CPAN or CAPA certification must hold a current unrestricted RN license and American Board of have a minimum of 1,800 hours of direct perianesthesia practice experience as an RN during 2 consec- Certification, Inc. (ABPANC) utive years prior to application. Nurses working as direct caregiver, manager, teacher, or researcher in 475 Riverside Dr., 6th Floor perianesthesia are eligible for certification. Candidates may contact ABPANC’s national office to deter- New York, NY 10115-0089 mine which certification exam is appropriate for them. [email protected] www.cpancapa.org Fees: ASPAN members, $235; nonmembers, $335. Valid for 3 years; recertification with contact hours (member, $165; nonmember, $280) or by exam (fees same as those for first exam). Certified Postanesthesia Nurse CPAN

Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse CAPA

PERIOPERATIVE NURSING CNOR Must have a minimum of 2 full years and 2,400 hours of operating room practice as an RN; have been Certification Board of employed within the preceding 2 years either full-time or part-time as an RN in an administrative, 2170 South Parker Rd., Suite 295 teaching, research, or general staff capacity in perioperative nursing. Denver, CO 80231-5710 www.certboard.org Fees: AORN members, $250; nonmembers, $350. Valid for 5 years; may retake the exam or document 125 approved contact hours. RN First Assistant

CRNFA Must be certified as a CNOR; must document 2,000 hours of practice in the RN first assistant role, with at least 500 hours in the past 2 years; must have attended a formal RNFA program; must hold a BSN.

Fees: AORN members, $425; nonmembers, $550. Valid for 5 years; retest or submit documentation of contact hours to recertify.

56 AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 PLASTIC AND RECONSTRUCTIVE CPSN Must have a minimum of 2 years of experience in plastic surgical nursing as an RN in a general staff, SURGICAL NURSING administrative, teaching, or research capacity within the 5 years preceding the application, and have Plastic Surgical Nursing Certification Board spent at least 50% of practice hours in plastic surgical nursing during 2 of the preceding 5 years. 3220 Pointe Parkway Suite 500 Fees: ASPRSN members, $195; nonmembers, $295. Valid for 3 years; recertification: members, $135; Atlanta, GA 30092 nonmembers, $185. May retake the exam or obtain 45 contact hours with a minimum of 30 hours in [email protected] plastic surgical nursing. www.aspsn.org

REHABILITATION NURSING CRRN Must have current, unrestricted RN license and a minimum of 2 years of practice as an RN in rehabilita- Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board* tion nursing in the preceding 5 years. 4700 W. Lake Ave. Glenview, IL 60025-1485 Fees: ARN members, $195; nonmembers, $285. Valid for 5 years; may retake the exam or recertify with [email protected] 60 points of credit with a combination of contact hours, presentations, professional publications, formal www.rehabnurse.org course work, and/or submission of test items, and/or community service activities.

SCHOOL NURSING NCSN Must be currently licensed as an RN (with a 4-year degree) in the U.S., or the equivalent in other coun- National Board for Certification of School tries; hold a bachelor’s or higher degree conferred in the U.S., or the equivalent in other countries, or Nurses, Inc. hold current certification by NBCSN as an NCSN; three years of experience as a school nurse is recom- c/o National Association of School Nurses mended; must be currently employed in school health services or school-related services; must com- 1416 Park St., Suite A plete and file the Application for the Certification Examination for School Nurses. Castle Rock, CO 80109 [email protected] Fees: NASN members, $200; nonmembers, $275. www.nbcsn.com

SEXUAL ASSAULT NURSE SANE-A Must hold current unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or its territories or a license as a first-level EXAMINER–ADULT/ADOLESCENT general nurse in the country/jurisdiction of current practice with a minimum of 2 years of practice in the Certification Board country providing the license. Must have completed an adult/adolescent Sexual Assault Nurse East Holly Ave., Box 56 Examiner (SANE) education program that includes a minimum of 40 contact hours of classroom instruction Pitman, NJ 08071-0056 or 3 semester hours of academic credit in an accredited school of nursing. Must have had supervised clini- [email protected] cal practice until determined competent in SANE practice, which must be validated by an appropriate clin- www.forensicnurse.org ical authority as outlined in the adult section of the IAFN’s SANE education guidelines (1998). Fees: IAFN members, $225; nonmembers, $350. Valid 3 years; recertify by retaking the exam or com- pleting 45 contact hours.

UROLOGY NURSING CURN RN, LPN, LVN, PA: current licensure and 1 year of experience in urology nursing practice. Other associ- Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and CUA ates: 3 years’ in-service training under the supervision of a practicing urologist. Advanced practice: Associates (CBUNA) CUNP same as RN, but with current recognition by state board of nursing as nurse practitioner and/or clinical East Holly Ave., P.O. Box 56 CUCNS nurse specialist, and a master’s degree in nursing. Certification for physician assistants also is offered, Pitman, NJ 08071-0056 CUPA the requirements for which are current licensure as a physician assistant and 1 year of experience in [email protected] the field of urology. (PA fees are the same as those for advanced practice.) www.suna.org Fees: SUNA members, $195; nonmembers, $255; advanced practice SUNA members, $225; nonmem- bers, $285. Valid for 3 years; may retest or provide proof of 50 contact hours earned within the last 3 years, with a minimum of 36 in urology nursing practice. To renew through continuing education, fees are $125.00 for SUNA members and $185.00 for nonmembers.

WOMEN’S HEALTH/PRIMARY CARE In all categories, practice/experience/employment is defined as direct patient care, education, adminis- NURSING tration, and/or research. National Certification Corporation P.O. Box 11082 The written exam is given once a year; a computer-based exam is available year-round. Valid for 3 Chicago, IL 60611-0082 years. Certification Maintenance Program requires 45 approved contact hours or reexamination for www.nccnet.org RNC, and 15 approved contact hours or reexamination for subspecialty.

Breastfeeding BF Must pass subspecialty exam; hold RN license in the U.S. or Canada; be employed in a practice setting where breastfeeding competencies are expected. Written validation of current employer is required. Pathway 1: Must be certified by NCC, ACNM, or ANCC. Pathway 2: Must have 24 months of practice in the specialty.

Fees: written exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $100; all others, $135; computer-based exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $150; all others, $185.

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 57 Career Guide

Electronic Fetal Monitoring EFM Must pass subspecialty exam and be a licensed RN, MD, , or physician assistant in the U.S. or Canada. Fees: written exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $100; all others, $135; computer-based exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $150; all others, $185.

Inpatient Obstetrics Nurse RNC, INPT For the following specialties: must hold RN license in the U.S. or Canada and have 24 months of expe- rience in the specialty, including a minimum of 2,000 hours as an RN. Employment in the field of the exam specialty within the preceding 24 months is required. Fees: written exam, $250; computer-based exam, $300.

Low-Risk Neonatal Nurse RNC, LRN Fees: written exam, $250; computer-based exam, $300.

Maternal Newborn Nurse RNC, MN Fees: written exam, $250; computer-based exam, $300.

Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse RNC, NIC Fees: written exam, $250; computer-based exam, $300.

Menopause Clinician MC Must pass subspecialty exam and be licensed as a nurse practitioner, nurse midwife, physician, physi- cian assistant, or naturopathic doctor. Current employment required. Fees: written exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $100; all others, $135; computer-based exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $150; all others, $185.

Menopause Educator RNC, ME Must pass subspecialty exam and be licensed as an RN, LPN/LVN, pharmacist, psychologist, social worker, nutritionist, or naturopath. Current employment required. Fees: written exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $100; all others, $135; computer-based exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $150; all others, $185.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner RNC Must hold an RN license in the U.S. or Canada; must be a graduate of a master’s or post-master’s degree neonatal nurse practitioner program at least 1 academic year in length and acceptable to NCC, the neonatal content of which must include 200 didactic hours and 600 clinical hours. Fees: written exam, $250; computer-based exam, $300.

Gynecology/Reproductive Health Care for GR Must hold an RN license in the U.S. or Canada; must be certified by the ANCC, AANP, AAC, or the Primary Care Nurse Practitioner and NCBPNP. Current employment required. Nurse Midwife Fees: written exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $100; all others, $135; computer-based exam: NCC-certified RNCs, $150; all others, $185.

Telephone Nursing Practice RNC, TNP Must hold a current RN license in the U.S. or Canada; have documentation of 2 years (minimum of 2,000 hours) of experience as a U.S. or Canadian RN in telephone nursing practice; have been employed within the preceding 24 months in a telephone nursing practice (with employment defined as direct clinical practice, education, administration, or research); ALL required practice experience must have been acquired while the applicant was a U.S. or Canadian RN. Fees: written exam, $250; computer-based exam, $300.

Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner RNC Must hold an RN license in the U.S. or Canada; have graduated from a women’s health care nurse practitioner program at least 1 academic year in length and acceptable to NCC, the women’s health content of which must include 200 didactic hours and 600 clinical hours. Beginning January 1, 2007, a graduate degree will be required. Fees: written exam, $250; computer-based exam, $300.

58 AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 WOUND, OSTOMY, AND CONTINENCE CWOCN, Must hold current RN license, proof of Baccalaureate Degree, and ONE of the following: Either com- NURSES CWCN, pletion of a WOC Nursing Education Program, or, applications accepted through the Experiential or Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing COCN, Graduate Pathways. Experiential Pathway: 50 CEUs as well as 1,500 clinical experience hours related Certification Board CCCN to the specialty within the past five years. Graduate Pathway: Completion of a graduate-level program 555 E. Wells St., Suite 1100 in nursing with documentation of graduate clinical course work equivalent to two semester hours in Milwaukee, WI 53202 each specialty for which certification is sought. (414) 289-8721 [email protected] Fees: (discounted price for check payment) One examination $300; two examinations $350; three www.wocncb.org examinations $425.

FOOT CARE NURSES CFCN Must hold current RN license, and either: Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing (Certified Completion of formal foot and nail program including five hours didactic; three hours of clinical practice Certification Board Foot Care with direct foot and nail care, OR, Completion of experiential pathway including five hours CE; three 555 E. Wells St., Suite 1100 Nurse) hours of clinical practice (under supervision of expert). Milwaukee, WI 53202 (414) 289-8721 Fees: $350 discounted fee for check payment. email: [email protected] web: www.wocncb.org

AMERICAN NURSES Fees: written exam (given twice a year): ANA members, $180; discount (members of ANCC collaborat- CREDENTIALING CENTER ing organizations pertinent to the exam), $250; nonmembers, $320. Computer-based exam: ANA mem- 8515 Georgia Avenue, Suite 400 bers, $230; discount, as above, $300; nonmembers, $370. Modular exam with core: ANA members, Silver Spring, MD 20910 $130; discount, as above, $180; nonmembers, $280. www.nursecredentialing.org Note: All graduates of foreign institutions must have transcripts evaluated to determine eligibil- ity. The ANCC no longer offers home health nurse, college nurse, community/public health nurse, CNS in home health, and CNS in Community/Public Health certification examinations. Certification renewal for those specialties is available through a combination of professional development and contact hours; the option of certification renewal through a combination of professional development and exam no longer is available.

ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE All nurse practitioner candidates must meet all of the following basic eligibility requirements: an PRACTITIONERS active professional license in the U.S. or its territories; a master’s or higher degree in nursing or anoth- er related field of study; preparation in the specialty area of practice appropriate to the application for certification through a master’s program or formal postgraduate master’s program; graduation from a program offered by an accredited institution granting graduate-level academic credit for all course work, which includes both didactic and clinical components; and a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice in the specialty area and role. The ANCC reviews nurse practitioner programs for core content in advanced health assessment, pharmacology, pathophysiology, health promotion and disease prevention, and differential diagnosis and disease management.

Acute Care Nurse Practitioner* APRN,BC

Adult Nurse Practitioner* APRN,BC

Family Nurse Practitioner* APRN,BC

Gerontological Nurse Practitioner* APRN,BC

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner* APRN,BC

Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse Practitioner APRN,BC In addition to meeting the above requirements, the candidate must have graduated from an accredited (pending ABNS approval) master’s or post-master’s degree program (as either an adult or family psychiatric and mental health nurse practitioner or an advanced practice psychiatric and mental health nurse) that includes: advanced 1) Adult Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse health assessment (including both physical and mental health; pediatric and adolescent physical and Practitioner mental health assessment is required for the PMHNP-Family Exam); pathophysiology (or neurophysiology/ 2) Family Psychiatric and Mental Health biophysiology); pharmacology or psychopharmacology; diagnosis and medication management of psy- Nurse Practitioner chiatric illness (clinical practicum); and also supervised clinical training at the graduate or postgraduate level in two psychotherapeutic treatment modalities.

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 59 Career Guide

CLINICAL NURSE SPECIALISTS Must hold an active professional license in the U.S. or its territories; hold a master’s or higher degree in nursing; have formal preparation in the specific area of practice for application for the certifica- tion through a master’s program or a formal postgraduate master’s program; have graduated from a program offered by an accredited institution granting graduate-level academic credit for all course work, which includes both didactic and clinical components, and a minimum of 500 hours of supervised clinical practice in the specialty area and role.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Gerontological APRN,BC Nursing*

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Health APRN,BC Nursing (formerly in Medical–Surgical Nursing*)

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Pediatric Nursing APRN,BC In addition to the basic eligibility requirements, must have graduated from a program that provides (pending ABNS approval) course work addressing children’s unique physiologic, psychological, and developmental needs from birth through the age of 21. If graduated 3 or more years prior to the application, candidates must have worked 2,000 hours in a pediatric clinical position in the immediately preceding 3 years. Verification of current clinical practice must be submitted with the application.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Adult Psychiatric APRN,BC In addition to basic eligibility requirements, the following are required: If the master’s degree is not in and Mental Health Nursing* psychiatric and mental health nursing, the candidate must hold a master’s or higher degree in nursing and have a minimum of 18 graduate or postgraduate academic credits in psychiatric and mental health theory—a minimum of 9 of those credits must contain didactic and clinical experience specific to psy- chiatric and mental health (core courses in nursing theory or , and the applicant’s thesis will not be accepted as part of the 9-credit requirement). A maximum of 9 credits may be for courses containing didactic and clinical experiences specific to psychiatric and mental health the- ory (e.g., courses in counseling and psychology), and supervised clinical training at the graduate or postgraduate level in 2 psychotherapeutic treatment modalities is required.

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Child and Adoles- APRN,BC Same as above with educational focus on Child and Adolescent Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing. cent Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing*

ADVANCED DIABETES MANAGEMENT Must hold an active professional license in the U.S. or its territories (e.g., RD, registration by the Com- mission on Dietetic Registration; RPh, licensed pharmacist; RN, licensed registered nurse) and either a master’s or higher degree in one or more of the following areas of study: RN, master’s or higher degree in nursing; RD, master’s or higher degree in clinically relevant area of study (e.g., nutrition, public health, education, sports nutrition, counseling, gerontology); RPh, master’s or higher degree in pharmacy or current practice in a state recognizing collaborative diabetes clinical practice. Note: State board requirements differ. If a state requires a specific type of advanced degree for advanced practice status and prescriptive privileges, this certification does not supersede the state statute. All candidates for the advanced diabetes management exams must have a minimum of 500 hours in advanced clinical dia- betes within the 48 months preceding application for the certification. For RNs, this clinical experience must be at the master’s or post-master’s degree level. However, if the master’s degree clinical rotation is in advanced diabetes management, then the hours may count toward the 500 clinical hour require- ment and application for the exam may be made after graduation. Verification of practice hours must accompany the application.

Clinical Nurse Specialist APRN,BC- ADM

Nurse Practitioner APRN,BC- ADM

Registered Dietitian RD, BC- ADM

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

60 AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 Registered Pharmacist RPh, BC- ADM

INFORMATICS NURSING Eligibility Requirements 1) Specialty Nursing Basic Eligibility Requirements. 2) A bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing or a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field. Relevant areas include: science (biology, anatomy, physiology, etc.), professional disciplines (engineering, computer science, psychology, physical therapy, etc.), or academic liberal arts (mathematics, English, philosophy, history, etc.). 3) 30 contact hours applicable to the specialty area within the preceding 3 years. Author/presenter cred- its are allowable but can account for no more than half of the contact hour requirement. 4) One of the following practice hour requirements: • A minimum of 2,000 hours in the field of informatics nursing within the preceding 3 years; OR • Completion of at least 12 semester hours of academic credit in informatics courses in a graduate program in informatics nursing (e.g., computer programming, information science, systems analysis and design, management of information systems) and a minimum of 1,000 hours practiced in infor- matics nursing within the preceding 3 years; OR • Completion of a graduate program in nursing informatics that includes at least 200 hours of clinical practicum. (Candidates who meet this requirement may disregard requirement #3 pertaining to the 30 contact hours of continuing education).

Informatics Nurse—bachelor’s degree in RN,BC nursing*

Informatics Nurse— bachelor’s degree in RN,C another, relevant field*

NURSING ADMINISTRATION RN, CNA, Eligibility Requirements Nursing Administration* BC 1) Specialty Nursing Basic Eligibility Requirements. 2) A bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing. 3) An administrative position at the level of nurse manager or nurse executive for a minimum of 24 months of full-time practice within the preceding 5 years. The position must have included at least 7 of the following activities: • Participating in the administration of a health care organization • Participating in strategic and long-range planning of a health care organization • Determining clinical and administrative nursing goals and directions • Determining functions and activities to achieve clinical and administrative nursing goals and direction • Being responsible for the allocation of human, material, and financial resources for specific func- tions and activities • Evaluating and revising the goals, structure, activities, and resources of organized nursing services • Providing leadership in problem-solving • Providing leadership in human resource development and management • Ensuring the ongoing evaluation of services provided by organized nursing services and the organiza- tion as a whole • Facilitating research in nursing, health, and management strategies • Serving as a professional role model to motivate, develop, recruit, and retain future nurse administrators. The requirement may be met also through engagement in education and supervision of graduate stu- dents in mid- or executive-level nursing administration tracks or programs for at least the equivalent of 24 months of full-time practice in the past five years. 4) One of the following: • A master’s degree in nursing administration, OR • 30 contact hours, with 20 of them applicable to nursing administration within the last 2 years. A combination of contact and academic credit hours and presenter/lecturer credit is acceptable. Contact hours are allowed for attendance at professional meetings that include content appropri- ate to nursing administration. Independent study that has been approved for continuing education or academic credits also is allowed.

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 61 Career Guide

Nursing Administration—Advanced* RN, CNAA, Eligibility Requirements BC 1) Advanced Nursing Administration Basic Eligibility Requirements. 2) An administrative position at the nurse executive level for a minimum of 24 months of full-time practice within the preceding 5 years, involving at least 7 of the following activities: • Participating in the administration of the health care organization • Participating in strategic and long-range planning of the health care organization • Determining clinical and administrative nursing goals and directions • Determining functions and activities to achieve clinical and administrative nursing goals and direc- tion • Being responsible for the allocation of human, material, and functional resources for specific func- tions and activities • Evaluating and revising the goals, structure, activities, and resources of organized nursing services • Providing leadership in problem-solving • Providing leadership in human resource development and management • Ensuring the ongoing evaluation of services provided by organized nursing services and the organi- zation as a whole • Facilitating research in nursing, health, and management strategies • Serving as a professional role model to motivate, develop, recruit, and retain future nurse administra- tion. The requirement may be met also through engagement in the education and supervision of graduate students in executive-level nursing administration tracks or programs for at least the equivalent of 24 months of full-time practice within the past five years. AND, 3) One of the following: • A master’s degree in nursing administration, OR • If the master’s degree is not in nursing administration, 30 contact, academic credit, and/or presen- ter/lecturer hours. Contact hours for attendance at professional meetings that involve content appropriate to nursing administration are acceptable. Independent study that has been approved for contact hours or academic credits is also accepted. Use Form D/ Professional Development Record to document continuing education.

SPECIALTY NURSING Must have an active RN license in the U.S. or its territories; have practiced the equivalent of 2 years full-time as an RN in the U.S. or its territories; hold a bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing for RN,BC, or an associate’s degree/diploma in nursing for RN,C; have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical prac- tice in the specialty within the preceding 3 years, unless specified otherwise in criteria specific to the specialty areas; have had 30 contact hours within the preceding 3 years.

Ambulatory Care Nursing RN,C Must hold an active RN license in the U.S. or its territories, have functioned as an RN for 4,000 hours, with at least 2,000 hours within the specialty in the last 2 years.

Cardiac and Vascular Nurse* RN,BC RN,C

Gerontological Nurse* RN,BC RN,C

Medical–Surgical Nurse* RN,BC RN,C

Nursing Case Management RN,C Must hold an active RN license in the U.S. or its territories and have functioned as an RN for 4,000 hours, with at least 2,000 of them within the specialty scope of practice, within the last 2 years.

Nursing Professional Development* RN,BC

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

62 AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 Pain Management RN,C The nurse in pain management provides comprehensive nursing care to clients experiencing acute and chronic pain from a variety of causes, such as cancer, labor and delivery, surgery, and headaches. The nurse uses pain management knowledge and skills to make clinical decisions, develop client diagno- sis, and establish a plan of care, and evaluate the effectiveness of care for patients of all ages and special populations. Care is provided in collaboration with other health care professionals. Nurses engaged in pain management adhere to the scope of practice authorized by state and federal regula- tions in which the practice occurs. Eligibility Requirements 1. Hold a currently active RN license in one of 50 states in the U.S. or its territories; 2. Have practiced the equivalent of two years full time as an RN in the U.S. or its territories; 3. Have practiced in a nursing role that involves aspects of pain management (for example, pain assessment and management, pain management education, research) or at least 2,000 hours in the past 3 years prior to applying to take the examination; 4. Have 30 hours of continuing education in the 3 years prior to taking the exam, of which a minimum of 15 hours must be related to pain management.

Pediatric Nurse* RN,BC RN,C

Perinatal Nurse* RN,BC RN,C

Psychiatric and Mental Health Nurse* RN,BC In addition to the basic requirements, must have current access to clinical consultation/supervision RN,C and provide a statement/endorsement of clinical consultation or supervision from a nurse colleague. If the colleague is not from the place of employment, an additional statement/endorsement from a non- nurse mental health colleague from place of employment must be provided. t

*Has met the standards of the American Board of Nursing Specialties, a national peer review program.

AJN • CAREER GUIDE 2006 63