PREPARING FOR THE ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CERTIFICATION EXAM

1. PREPARING FOR THE ADVANCED PUBLIC HEALTH NURSE CERTIFICATION EXAM ASTDN Conference May 9, 2012

2. 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 • Albany, NY

3. PROGRAM SUPPORT

4. Agenda • PHN Practice Standards and Credentialing • National Certification • Certification Registration and Preparation • Exam Content and Scoring • Study Tips

5. 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 • Formulated a plan for taking and passing the APHN exam.

6. 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 • Meeting program and organizational standards.

7. Establishing Standards And Credentials Standards may be applied on an individualor 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 Accreditation Board (PHAB) • -Public health agency accreditation.

8. 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 • -- This workshop covers preparation for the ANCC exam only. --

9. Perspectives from ACHNE, APHA-PHN, ASTDN & ANA members Public health Certification Survey Results

10. PHN Certification Survey Results • Survey Conducted in March/April, 2012 • Sample: 897+ Surveys completed • Membership in sponsoring organizations

11. PHN Certification Survey Results • The Sample • Primary Setting • 65% Official Public Health • 17% Faculty • Others - Hospital, State Consultant, School Health, CDC • Primary Role • 33% Administrative • 30% Staff Nurse • 18% Faculty • 2% Educator • Education • 16% ADN • 36% BSN • 30% Masters prepared (21% MSN; 6% MPH; 3% MS) • 16% Doctorally prepared

12. PHN Certification Survey Results • Certification Status • 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

13. PHN Certification Survey Results Rewards, Incentives, Barriers to Certification • Barriers to Certification • 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 • Only 12% (108) indicated certification helped them when applying to new positions

14. PHN Certification Survey Results • Motivators for Becoming Certified • 58% Enhanced Professional Credibility • 55% Evidence of Professional Commitment • 51% Personal Satisfaction • 50% Feeling of Personal Accomplishment • 49% Validates Specialized Knowledge

15. Preparing for Certification “No Investment No Return”

16. Determine Your Eligibility

17. Register • On-line registration process if paying with credit card. • Other requirements: • Select eligibility option • License verification • Transcripts • Fees • $270. ANA Members • $340. APHA PHN Section Members • $395. Non-members • Approval can take 6-8 weeks • Letter of approval to test arrives, then: • Schedule a test within 90 days of approval • Results instant after completion of exam

18. 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?

19. 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. • Download and take the sample test.

20. 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. • Can you make it a group project? • “Study Buddies” are very helpful, even if they are “virtual.”

21. 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 • Colleagues

22. 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” • Film showing value of certification to nurses, administrators, patients • Faculty can share the link with students or request a free DVD anccmarketing@ana.org • Recommended Reading List

23. OUR Study Guide • The Study Guide is formatted by topical area. • 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! --

24. 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. • If you pass, the test center will issue your certificate before you leave the center.

25. Maintaining certification

26. 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

28. Upcoming Workshops • ACHNE Annual Institute • Saturday, June 9th • 10:15 -11:15 AM • Portland, Oregon • Overview of certification process and study tips

29. Thanks! • Now go forth • and • CERTIFY!