The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) certification program continues to be important to nurses, the nursing profession, employers and the general public. In achieving CNA certification, nurses are committing to a national standard of professional competence that demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of their specialty and a commitment to continuing competence. Specialty certification is a voluntary process reserved for nurses who meet rigorous practice, continuous learning and testing requirements.
As of December 2009, 1,103 nephrology nurses held a valid CNA certification in nephrology (see Table 1). CANNT would like to congratulate the successful candidates from 2010 who will add to this total. CANNT would also like to congratulate all those nurses who chose to recertify this past year. Maintaining certification shows the commitment that nephrology nurses have to our specialty. Best of luck to those individuals who registered to write the certification exam in 20 1 1 . This also displays commitment to nephrology practice.
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) will be administering the 2011 CNA certification exam on April 9, 2011. The certification credential is part of a respected national certification program, which is developed by Canadian nurses for Canadian nurses (see Figure 1).
The initial CNA certification credential in nephrology is valid for a five-year term and then is renewed every five years. Certification renewal can be obtained through continuous learning (CL) activities or by writing the certification exam again. Most nurses choose to renew by CL. It is important to plan and record your CL activities from the start of the five-year term. CNA offer forms and guidelines to assist with tracking CL. These forms and guidelines can be found in the certification section of CNAs website under the Continuous Learning Activities Guidelines and Forms section: www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/ nursing/certification/ recertify/ forms/ def�ult_e.aspx
Study aids
CNA offers a document called Build on What You Know: A Study Group Manual for Nurses Preparing for CNA Certification Exams. This manual includes tips for study group facilitators and participants, suggested references and other information. The link below will take you to this document and other valuable resources to help with the preparation for the exam: www.cna-aiic.ca/ CNA/nursing/ certification/apply/study groups/default_e. aspx
Many nephrology programs have set up education sessions through their programs educator to assist candidates in preparing for the exam. At the yearly national conference, CANNT also hosts a pre-conference workshop to help nurses prepare for the nephrology certification exam.
Mentors
CNA has assembled a distinguished list of certified nurses who are willing to act as mentors for those nurses who wish for support or assistance with certification exams. A list of mentors can be found below or by following the link: www.cna-aiic.ca/CNA/nursing/ certification/apply/mentors/default_ e.aspx
British Columbia
Richard Luscombe, RN, CNeph(C), BSN
1606-2020 Haro St., Vancouver, BC V6G 1J3
Tel: (604) 682-1525
email: rluscombe@ providencehealth.bc.ca
Alberta
Robert B. Huizinga, RN, NNC, MSc(Epi), CNeph(C)
Senior Director, Clinical Affairs Isotechnika Inc.
5120 -75 th Street
Edmonton, AB T6G 2C8
Tel: (780) 487-1600 ext 223
email: robert.huizinga@isotechnika.com
Qu�bec
Rachelle Brisson, inf., CN�ph(C)
(Bilingual/Bilingue)
118 du Sauvignon
Gatineau, QC J8M 2C3
Tel: (W) (819) 966-6200 ext. 5407 (H) (819) 986-9625
email: rachellebrisson@live.ca
Nancy Filteau, RN, CNeph(C)
(Bilingual/Bilingue)
650 Laurent St, Laval, QC H7P 3R6
Tel: (W) (514) 934-1934 ext. 35098
email: nancy.filteau@muhc.mcgill.ca
New Brunswick
Valerie Price
1003 McCavour Drive
Saint John, NB E2M 4M2
Tel: (506) 648-6850
email: pricejar@nbnet.nb.ca
Financial assistance for 2011 initial and renewal candidates
Financial assistance is offered through most hospitals and/or provincial licensing bodies to help with the cost of writing the exam. The Canadian Nurses Foundation also offers financial awards to two nurses in each specialty area to cover the certification fees. In addition, CANNT also offers the ISPD bursary to assist with the cost of certification or re-certification.
Applications for the Canadian Nurses Foundation award can be found at: www.canadiannursesfoundation.com/ certification.htm
Application for the CANNT ISPD bursary can be found at: www.cannt.ca
For more information on Nephrology Certification through CNA, visit their website at: www.cna-aiic.ca/ CNA/nursing/certification/default_ e.aspx
[Author Affiliation]
By Colleen Wile, RN, CNeph(C), Clinical Educator, Community Dialysis, Halifax, NS
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