Certification
Nursing
CANNT actively supports and promotes the certification in nephrology nursing provided by the Canadian Nurses Association [CNeph(C)]. For more information on certification contact the Canadian Nurses Association 1-800-361-8404 or www.cna-nurses.ca. The national certification exam in nephrology nursing is written once per year (April) at various centers across the country. To be eligible to write the exam, the RN must have at least 2 years nephrology nursing experience, or one year plus a community college certificate in nephrology. To maintain this certification, RN’s must accumulate 100 hours of continuing education in a five-year period. Selected members of CANNT are also invited to participate in exam development activities, developing standards and writing competencies.
Canadian Nurses Association (CNeph(C))
Initial Certification / Certification initiale
Certification Brochure / Télécharger la brochure de la certification de l’AIIC
Certification Renewal / Renouvellement de la certification
Technical
CANNT actively supports and promotes certification in nephrology technology. For more information on the latest development click here.
Obtaining CNA Certification
Article from CNA website (Mentorship Program) / (Le programme de mentorat)
Mentors
The Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) Certification Program promotes mentorship as a method to enhance the certification process for Registered Nurses who are preparing to write certification exams in their selected specialty and/or are preparing for certification renewal.
“[Rick told me to] . . . take small sections at a time, take the mini tests – and most importantly, pace myself and take breaks.” “Now that I’m certified, I feel more confident and better able to answer patients’ questions.”
Diane Longmuir
Mentorship works!
Diane Longmuir didn’t pass the first time she wrote the Nephrology certification exam. A front-line registered nurse working in remote northern Ontario, Diane had no study group, tutoring or classes to help her, so she studied on her own while taking online courses.
Discouraged but determined to succeed, Diane turned to CNA’s mentorship program where she was matched with Rick Luscombe, a veteran mentor also working in nephrology. They corresponded only by e-mail, and under his mentorship, Diane passed the exam in April 2008. She wanted to thank Rick in person and surprised him at a Quebec City conference for nephrology nurses and technologists, where he was presenting.
Diane wants nurses to know you don’t have to be a new or young nurse to get certified. “I am in my 50s, live and work in a rural, secluded area in a small five-chair dialysis unit and I was able to follow Rick’s recommendations and style of studying successfully. Now that I’m certified, I feel more confident and better able to answer patients’ questions.”
Her family is proud of her achievement, too. “It showed them that anyone can overcome a difficult obstacle if they are motivated – and that there’s no shame in asking for help.”
“It was her dedication and hard work that made the difference. Diane’s success makes being a mentor worthwhile.”
Rick Luscombe
She also likes to think of new opportunities for nurses who obtain certification in her specialty, such as working on a dialysis cruise ship, relocating to a new city, setting up clinics in other countries, or working with Doctors without Borders. Asked if she would consider joining CNA’s mentorship program, or setting up a similar program at her hospital, Diane responded with an enthusiastic, “Absolutely!”
Becoming a Mentor (Mentorship Program) / (Le programme de mentorat)
The CNA Mentorship Program has over 90 nurse mentors who volunteer their time to provide support and assistance to certification candidates. Nurse mentors hold current CNA certification and have a minimum of three years experience in their chosen specialty or area of nursing practice.