© Canadian Nurses Association, 2012
Earn the Canadian national professional
credential in your nursing specialty.
Become CNA-Certified.
CNA Webinar Series:
Progress in Practice
Leslie Anne Patry
Manager, Certification and Credentialing
Leslie Anne Patry
,
RN, MScN Manager, Certification and CredentialingProfessional Practice Division Canadian Nurses Association
CNA Certification
Florence Nightingale, RN BScN
ENC(C)
Jeanne Mance, Inf., B. Sc. Inf.,
Certification
VOLUNTARY
PROCESS
Certification
RN -with experience in nursing specialtyVOLUNTARY
PROCESS
Certification
RN -with experience in nursing specialtyVOLUNTARY
PROCESS
RN - writes CNA certification examCertification
RN -with experience in nursing specialty RN - writes CNA certification exam RN-CNA Certification Renewal every 5 years to
Maintain CNA credential
VOLUNTARY
PROCESS
Benefits of Certification
• Certification benefits the entire health-care
community
Benefits of Certification
• Certification benefits the entire health-care
community
• National nursing recognition
Benefits of Certification
• Certification benefits the entire health-care
community
• National nursing recognition
• Nursing excellence
Benefits of Certification
• Certification benefits the entire health-care
community
• National nursing recognition
• Nursing excellence
• Continuing Competence
Benefits of Certification
• Certification benefits the entire health-care
community
• National nursing recognition
• Nursing excellence
• Continuing Competence
• Job satisfaction
Historical Perspective
Historical Perspective
1991:
First official CNA certification exam
2011:
CNA celebrates the 20
th
year of the
program.
Historical Perspective
1991:
First official CNA certification exam
2011:
CNA celebrates the 20
th
year of the
program.
Specialty/Area of
Practice
#
Cardiovascular 846 Community Health 907 Critical Care 1,285 Critical Care Pediatric 132 Emergency 1,253 Enterostomal Therapy 120 Gastroenterology 265 Gerontology 2,520 Hospice Palliative Care 1,399 Medical-Surgical 539 Nephrology 1,225Specialty/Area of
Practice
#
Neuroscience 313 Occupational Health 716 Oncology 1,896 Orthopaedic 182 PeriAnesthesia 99 Perinatal 753 Perioperative 1,554 Psychiatric/Mental Health 1,725 Rehabilitation 292Total all specialties 18,021
Current Status
Exam administration
Current Status
Exam administration
• annual administration
• 20 specialties/areas of nursing
practice
Current Status
Exam administration
• annual administration
• 20 specialties/areas of nursing
practice
• bilingual exams
Current Status
Exam administration
• annual administration
• 20 specialties/areas of nursing
practice
• bilingual exams
• 2,000+ candidates
Current Status
Exam administration
• Annual administration
• 20 specialties/areas of nursing
practice
• Bilingual exams
• 2,
0
00+ candidates
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria
• Current registration/licensure in Canada as an RN
• Education and experience in the speciality/area of
Eligibility Criteria
Education and experience in the speciality/area of
nursing practice:*
– Accumulated a minimum of
3,900 hours
of experience
as
an RN
in the nursing specialty
over the past
FIVE
years in full-time, part
time or casual employment
Eligibility Criteria
Education and experience in the speciality/area of
nursing practice:*
– Accumulated a minimum of
3,900 hours
of experience
as
an RN
in the nursing specialty
over the past
FIVE
years in full-time, part
time or casual employment
or
– If you have successfully
completed a formal post-basic nursing
program
in your specialty of at least
300 hours
, you may apply
with a minimum of
2,925 hours
in your specialty over the past
FIVE
years
Eligibility Criteria
• Current registration/licensure in Canada as an RN
• Education and experience in the speciality/area of
nursing practice
Eligibility Criteria
• Current registration/licensure in Canada as an RN
• Education and experience in the speciality/area of
nursing practice
• Endorsement from supervisor
2015 Certification Administration
Next administration:
April 18, 2015
Applications accepted from
September 2 to November 12, 2014
Exam Development
Subject matter experts volunteer
Certification Exams
Certification Exams
• 3.5-hour exam
Certification Exams
• 3.5-hour exam
• 160 to 165 questions
Types of Questions
Types of Questions
1. Knowledge/comprehension
2. Application
Types of Questions
1. Knowledge/comprehension
2. Application
Knowledge/Comprehension
Questions
Application Questions
Example: Application
(Psychiatry and Mental health)
Madison, 15 years old, is attending an outpatient
appointment for the first time. She states that she has had
trouble sleeping and has stopped attending classes
regularly. She also states that she thinks she is stupid and
there is no point going to school. What should the
psychiatric and mental health nurse do first?
1. Assess Madison for substance abuse
2. Provide health education regarding sleep hygiene
3. Assess Madison’s sense of self
Answer and Rationale
.
Madison, 15 years old, is attending an outpatient appointment for the first time. She states that she has had trouble sleeping and has stopped attending classes regularly. She also states that she thinks she is stupid and there is no point going to school. What should the psychiatric and mental health nurse do first?
1. Assess Madison for substance abuse.
2. Provide health education regarding sleep hygiene.
3. Assess Madison’s sense of self.
4. Discuss with Madison her support systems.
Rationale: By assessing Madison’s sense of self, the nurse will be able to develop interventions to address poor coping and self-esteem issues.
References: Townsend (2012), pp. 282-285
Competency: 3.9 Promotes the person’s sense of identity, meaning in life, resiliency, self-esteem, power and hope.
Critical Thinking Questions
Example: Critical Thinking
(Emergency)
Mr. Van Bruin, 38 years old, presents with right flank pain
radiating to his groin with nausea and vomiting. His HR is 112,
RR 18, BP 140/76 and pain is 10/10. He is restless and pale.
The urine dipstick is positive for microscopic blood. He has no
history of this type of pain. What priority interventions should
the emergency nurse anticipate for this client?
1. Obtaining urethral discharge specimen and antibiotics
2. Administering narcotics and ketorolac (Toradol)
3. Obtaining urine cultures and administering antibiotics
4. Keeping him n.p.o. and preparing him for surgery
Answer
and Rationale
Mr. Van Bruin, 38 years old, presents with right flank pain radiating to his groin with nausea and vomiting. His HR is 112, RR 18, BP 140/76 and pain is 10/10. He is restless and pale. The urine dipstick is positive for microscopic blood. He has no history of this type of pain. What priority interventions should the emergency nurse anticipate for this client?
1. Obtaining urethral discharge specimen and antibiotics 2. Administering narcotics and ketorolac (Toradol)
3. Obtaining urine cultures and administering antibiotics 4. Keeping him n.p.o. and preparing him for surgery
Rationale: Pain management is a priority for clients with renal or urinary calculi.
References: Emergency Nurses Association (2010), p. 483.
Competency: 08-02b Selects nursing interventions associated with the following alterations in genitourinary system: renal colic.
Resources to Prepare for the Exam
Successful Result
Congratulations! Félicitations!
CNA-certified nurses can use designation after
their name
Florence Nightingale, RN, BScN,
GNC(C)
Maintaining the Credential
Maintaining the Credential
• Valid for a five-year term
• Supports the concept of continuing
competence
Maintaining the Credential
• Valid for a five-year term
• Supports the concept of continuing
competence
Congratulations to
Leisureworld
Senior Care
Corporation!
Leisureworld Senior
Care Corporation
2014 Recipients
Toronto Public Health Centre hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal
© Canadian Nurses Association, 2012
For more information:
lvachon@cna-aiic.ca
lpatry@cna-aiic.ca
http://getcertified.cna-aiic.ca
© Canadian Nurses Association, 2012
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© Canadian Nurses Association, 2012
