Transcript All Out” for Excellence - MAPHN.org

PREPARING FOR THE
ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH
NURSE CERTIFICATION EXAM
ASTDN Conference
May 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
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Albany, NY
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PROGRAM SUPPORT
AGENDA
1. PHN Practice Standards and Credentialing
1. National Certification
2. Certification Registration and Preparation
3. Exam Content and Scoring
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4. Study Tips
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 areas covered by the ANCC APHN
Exam;
 Demonstrate competency in use of the provided Study Guide;
 Apply exam preparation strategies to certification exams; and
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 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
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 Meeting program and organizational standards.
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 agency accreditation.
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Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)
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
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-- This workshop covers preparation for the ANCC exam only. --
PUBLIC HEALTH
CERTIFICATION SURVEY
RESULTS
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PERSPECTIVES FROM ACHNE, APHA -PHN,
ASTDN & ANA MEMBERS
PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY
RESULTS
Survey Conducted in March/April, 2012
Sample: 897+ Surveys completed
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• Membership in sponsoring organizations
PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY
RESULTS
The Sample
• Primary Setting
• 65% Official Public Health
• 17% Faculty
• Others - Hospital, State Consultant, School Health, CDC
• Primary Role
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33%
30%
18%
2%
Administrative
Staff Nurse
Faculty
Educator
• Education
16%
36%
30%
16%
ADN
BSN
Masters prepared (21% MSN; 6% MPH; 3% MS)
Doctorally prepared
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PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY
RESULTS
Certification Status
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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
PHN CERTIFICATION
SURVEY RESULTS
Rewards, Incentives, Barriers to Certification
Barriers to Certification
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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
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 Only 12% (108) indicated certification helped them when
applying to new positions
PHN CERTIFICATION SURVEY
RESULTS
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
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PREPARING FOR
CERTIFICATION
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“No Investment No
Return”
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DETERMINE YOUR
ELIGIBILITY
REGISTER
On-line registration process if paying with credit card.
Other requirements:
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Select eligibility option
License verification
Transcripts
Fees
• $270. ANA Members
• $340. APHA PHN Section Members
• $395. Non-members
• Approval can take 6-8 weeks
• Schedule a test within 90 days of approval
• Results instant after completion of exam
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Letter of approval to test arrives, then:
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.
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 Download and take the sample test.
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.
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Can you make it a group project?
• “Study Buddies” are very helpful, even if they are “virtual.”
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
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• 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”
Recommended Reading List
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• Film showing value of certification to nurses, administrators,
patients
• Faculty can share the link with students or request a free DVD
[email protected]
OUR STUDY GUIDE
The Study Guide is formatted by topical area.
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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.
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• If you pass, the test center will issue your certificate before you
leave the center.
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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
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UPCOMING
WORKSHOPS
ACHNE Annual Institute
Saturday, June 9th
10:15 -11:15 AM
Portland, Oregon
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Overview of certification process and study tips
THANKS!
Now go forth
and
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CERTIFY!