ABCGN Update ODSGNA Beyond the Basics January 10, 2015
Disclosure The Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, Inc. is accredited as a provider of continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center s (ANCC) Commission on Accreditation. No relationships with commercial interest organizations whose products are related to program content.
Today s Objective Provide an update on the certification process.
Review: Licensure v Certification Licensure: Mandatory Entry level Certification: Voluntary Requires added professional experience Certificate: Voluntary No professional experience Ex: Certificate of attendance
Hospital / Facility: Why Certify? Higher recruitment and retention rates Marketing tool Prevent errors Employee: Job satisfaction Personal value Marketing tool Public: Safer care by certified nurses
ABCGN Mission To maintain and improve the knowledge, understanding and skill of nurses in the fields of gastroenterology and gastroenterology endoscopy by developing and administering a certification program.
Independent Board Established 1986 Employs professional testing company in development and administration of certification exams. Recognizes ABCGN certificants by a designation used after their names -CGRN. Once certified, nurses maintain certification by recertifying every five (5) years. Candidates may recertify either by retesting or by completing a specified program of continuing education.
ABCGN Accreditation Accredited by Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification Only accrediting body specifically for nursing education. Ensures quality standards specifically for professional certification. Endorsed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.
Vital Statistics Over 4,000 certified nurses are members of the American Board of Certification for Gastroenterology Nurses (ABCGN). Many are also members of the Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and Associates, (SGNA); but this is not a requirement for certification.
Certification Eligibility RNs currently or recently engaged in GI and GI Endoscopy practice in clinical, supervisory, administrative, educational or research capacities in an institutional or private practice setting for a minimum of two (2) years full-time, or its part-time equivalent of 4000 hours, within the past five (5) years. Signature two (2) practitioners in specialty (or physicians, supervisors or HR specialists) who can verify work experience and unrestricted RN license in U.S.
Examination Content 175 Questions (25 experimental) cover 3 Practice Domains: 1. General Nursing Care 2. GI Procedures 3. Patient Care Interventions
A patient developed severe watery diarrhea with dehydration after taking a regimen of antibiotics. A stool test was positive for Clostridium difficile. Which acute inflammatory disorder of the colon would be suspected? a. Pseudomembranous colitis b. Amebic colitis Domain I General Nursing Care c. Campylobacter enteritis d. Bacillary dysentery
Domain II GI Procedures The nurse is caring for a patient whose esophagram showed a dilated esophagus with a bird s beak tapering of the distal esophagus. Which of the following interventions should be included in the patient s plan of care? a. Pneumatic balloon dilation b. Hydrostatic balloon dilation c. Use of Maloney dilators d. Use of Hurst dilators
Domain III Patient Care Interventions The nurse is caring for a patient with a history of alcoholism who presents with severe retching and vomiting followed by excruciating retrosternal chest and abdominal pain. Which of the following emergencies should the nurse anticipate? a. Tracheoesophageal fistula b. Boerhaave s Syndrome c. Traction diverticula d. Esophageal candidiasis
Setting the Passing Score Scores based on what the examinee knows or can do, rather than on their relation to other examinees performance on the examination.
How is the Passing Score Determined? Panel of Judges grades each question on how important or essential item is for competent practice. A Cut score and passing standard is determined. Cut score is the minimum number of items needed to pass. Passing standard is the minimum level of competency for the nurse to practice safely - set by ABCGN. Passing score is set after a Role Delineation, which occurs every 5 years.
Exam Preparation Major commitment and personal investment. Read the personal stories of how four CGRNs prepared and passed the certification exam. (www.abcgn.org).
Registration Window Online January 1 February 27, 2015 Spring 2015 Certification Exam Registration Deadline Online February 27, 5:00 p.m. ET Exam Administration Window May 1 May 31, 2015 Once application window closes on February 27, candidates receive an email notification with instructions on choosing a test site and exam date. Exam fees: SGNA Member Computer Based: $400 SGNA Non-Member Computer Based: $485 For additional information and to register: www.abcgn.org.
2014 Certification Results 226 nurses sat for the spring exam; 75% received a passing score. Spring exam registration window open from January 1, 2015 through February 27, 2015. Exam fee is increasing $20. Join SGNA and receive member discount.
2014 Recertification Results 691 CGRNs eligible to recertify in 2014. Deadline 11:59 pm December 31, 2014. Online submission: https://www.abcgn.org/recertification/onlineapplication.aspx Fees: SGNA Member: $350 SGNA Non-Member: $435 Recertification Tip Sheet posted on ABCGN website (www.abcgn.org).
CGRN-Retired Since 2013, credential recognizes years of service in caring for GI patients and acknowledges dedication to certification. Applicant must have been certified, working in the GI field for a 5 year period and retiring from active GI nursing practice with no plans to return to a full or part time position. $75 application fee and the designation is to be renewed every 5 years.
New Programs Starting with the May 2015 Exam
Immediate Scoring At the conclusion of the exam, the score will appear on the computer screen. Previously, exam candidates would wait 4-6 weeks after the end of the testing period to receive their score reports in the mail. Official score reports will still be mailed following the testing window.
Quest for Success Offers a 50% discount for those candidates that may need a second opportunity to retake the certification exam. Must apply for consecutive exam, one-time discount only. Allows for continuous study, provides even greater chance for success and encourages individuals to keep working towards their CGRN certification.
Scholarships ABCGN offers both certification and recertification scholarships twice annually. Scholarship deadlines: June 15 and December 15 Forms are located on the ABCGN website.
ABCGN Awards Certified GI Professional, Outstanding Region and Excellence in Professionalism. Awards deadline: February 15. Nominate a friend or colleague for the GI Professional and submit an application for your region. Criteria and application forms are located on the ABCGN website.
Item Writer s Workshop ABCGN is always looking for good writers to help develop exam questions. Annually hold a workshop on Saturday at the Annual Course. Consider attending the May workshop. Workshop attendance required for ABCGN board eligibility. Must be certified to attend.
In Conclusion You've got to go out on a limb sometimes because that's where the fruit is." -- Will Rogers, American performer and humorist
http://www.abcgn.org Questions??? Phone: 1-855-25-ABCGN or 1-855-252-2246 Fax: 312-673-6723 Nancy.Schlossberg@gmail.com