ABPANC News to Share           Spring 2009

 

From Kathy Paskewitz RN, CPAN

ABPANC Leader Resource Team Board Liaison

 

Hope to see everyone at ASPAN’s 28th National Conference in Washington DC! Stop by the ABPANC booth to say hello!

 

Celebrate that as of 2/23/09 we have:    

CPAN active = 5,314

CAPA active = 3,249

Total = 8, 563 (of which 305 are dually certified)

 

Computerized Testing

  • Launched registration January 26 for Spring exams - Can now apply on line;
  • Note that registration deadlines are slightly different for on line vs. by mail;
  • Visit www.cpancapa.org  and click on Certification for more up dated information including a new Candidate Handbook. Application deadlines are found in APPENDIX F;
  • Group Discount Program/Purchase vouchers; 
  • As of January 26, 2009, a discount for examinations fees that are purchased in sets of 10 will be available for purchase on line. Vouchers can only be purchased in sets of 10. There will be a flat fee of $335 per voucher for a set of 10 vouchers. ASPAN member discount does not apply;
  • Instead of only 2 testing days have 60 days to test!;
  • During the months of April and November candidates can choose from 2 testing windows lasting 6 weeks Spring (April 6 through May 16) Fall (October 5  through November 14);
  • Special test sites will no longer be needed because of the large number of testing sites available;
  • Prometric is our CBT vendor and candidates will have access to hundreds of testing centers nationwide 5 days a week –some centers are open 6 days a week;
  • Preliminary scores will be immediately available;
  • To apply on line must have e-mail address where information can be sent;
  • Paper and pencil exams will be offered once a year at the National Conference 2009 and 2010.

 

If you are a Certification Coach or a member of the ABPANC Leader Resource Team, please send any changes in your contact information (i.e. change of phone number, address and e-mail) to Zelda Williams at Zelda@proexam.org so we can keep in touch with you.

 

As noted above, the Certification Handbook is on line and has been revised and updated to reflect the current information about computerized testing.

 

August of 2009 is the target date for Recertification to be offered on line, more details to follow after Spring ABPANC Board meeting at National Conference. Revised Recertification Handbook will be on line in the near future.

 

A change in recertification contact hours was approved by the Board so that a person may earn 60 contact hours for writing items vs. the current 30 contact hours allowed. PES has now implemented a new Webinar for writing items during the annual item drive.  If you receive information via e-mail from Vita Greco, PES for Item Writing Webinars, please encourage certified nurses to participate. Can obtain contact hours towards recertification.

 

Remind Components to set as one of their goals, participation in the ABPANC Awards Programs offered - Advocacy Award, Shining Star Award and Leadership Circle - note that the deadlines for this year have passed.

           

Certification Coach Program newly revised!  Look for updates at the National Conference and visit ABPANC’s website to view the new orientation power point, “Coach the Coaches”.  This PowerPoint lecture will be available online beginning April 20, 2009. Ask us about this at National Conference!

 

Good News!!! The American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) Accreditation Council granted reaccreditation to the CPAN and CAPA certification programs for 5 years - until April 1, 2014.

 

ABPANC is going Green!!!!!    As a part of this initiative, we will be asking candidates and members to access many of our informational materials, such as the Candidate Handbook and Recertification Handbook, on our website www.cpancapa.org .