CNA Certification General Application Guide - For Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by Exam
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CNA Certification
2015
General
Application
Guide
F or Certification Renewal
by Continuous Learning
or by Exam
Application Period
› September 2 to December 1, 2014
Care tothe
BeBest Apply early and get your online
exam prep resources sooner!
Apply Online!
getcertified.cna-aiic.caQuick Reference Exam Date › April 18, 2015
Online and hard-copy applications will be accepted from September 2 until December 1, 2014.
Residents of BC, AB, SK, MB, NU, NT and YT
2015 Certification Renewal Fees (fees include tax, which is subject to change)
Renewal by continuous learning — CNA members: $308.70
Renewal by exam — CNA members: $536.55
Substitute writing centre fee: $168 (additional)
Residents of ON
Please see page 12 of this guide.
Renewal by continuous learning — CNA members (proof required): $332.22
Renewal by continuous learning — Non-members: $415.84
Renewal by exam — CNA members (proof required): $577.43
Renewal by exam — Non-members: $819.25
Substitute writing centre fee: $180.80 (additional)
Residents of QC
Please see page 12 of this guide.
Renewal by continuous learning — CNA members (proof required): $308.70
Renewal by continuous learning — Non-members (QC): $386.40
Renewal by exam — CNA members (proof required): $536.55
Renewal by exam — Non-members: $761.25
Substitute writing centre fee: $168 (additional) Remember:
Residents of NB and NL › Include proof of your current nursing
Renewal by continuous learning — CNA members: $332.22 registration/licence.
Renewal by exam — CNA members: $577.43 • Online applicants: Only your RN licence
Substitute writing centre fee: $180.80 (additional) registration number is required.
• Hard-copy applicants: Include a copy of your
Residents of NS RN status or a copy of an e-mail confirming
Renewal by continuous learning — CNA members: $338.10 membership in your provincial/territorial
Renewal by exam — CNA members: $587.65 nursing association.
Substitute writing centre fee: $184 (additional) › Indicate your preferred writing centre (code and city)
if you are renewing by exam.
Residents of PE
Renewal by continuous learning — CNA members: $335.16
› Include payment for all applicable fees by credit
card or by cheque or money order made payable to
Renewal by exam — CNA members: $582.54 the Canadian Nurses Association. If the payment
Substitute writing centre fee: $182.40 (additional) total is not correct, your application will be delayed.
› Ensure that all additional forms and/or information
All fees include an administrative fee of $59 + GST or HST is included as necessary.
for renewal by continuous learning or $101 + GST or HST › Hard copy applicants must sign and date their
for renewal by exam. application form.
› Complete your application fully and accurately
and retain proof.
• Online applicants: You will receive an e-mail
confirming that your payment and application
have been received.
• Hard-copy applicants: You are advised to
Candidates choosing to renew by exam, please see
keep a copy of your application and all
pages 16-17 of this guide for writing centre information. accompanying documents.2015 CNA Certification Program
National certification in nursing specialties and areas of nursing practice offered by the
Canadian Nurses Association (CNA)
General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by
Continuous Learning or by Exam
This application guide contains all of the information you need to apply for certification renewal by continuous learning or
by exam. For hard-copy applicants, all the required forms are available on the certification website.
Please read this guide completely before applying.
›
Contact CNA certification staff to discuss eligibility criteria
or professional issues about CNA and certification.
Online application available
CANADIAN NURSES ASSOCIATION
Certification Program
50 Driveway
Ottawa, ON K2P 1E2
Hard-copy applicants: applications received
Website: getcertified.cna-aiic.ca
close to deadline dates will require a longer
E-mail: certification@cna-aiic.ca
Toll-free: 1-800-361-8404 processing time.
Fax: 613-237-3520
Contact the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre
staff to discuss any questions about the processing of your CNA Certification Program Processing Centre
application for certification. You may send your application • Hard-copy applicants: Send your application
to the processing centre. directly to the processing centre address.
CANADIAN NURSES ASSOCIATION We strongly recommend that you send your
Certification Program Processing Centre application by a guaranteed courier service.
1400 Blair Place, Suite 210 CNA is not responsible for lost or misdirected
Ottawa, ON K1J 9B8 mail. We also recommend that you photocopy
your application before mailing.
Website: getcertified.cna-aiic.ca
• Contact the processing centre staff if you wish to
E-mail: certification@cna-aiic.ca
change current information, order promotional
Toll-free: 1-800-450-5206
materials, ask about or revise your candidate status,
Fax: 613-237-6684
or if you have any other questions.
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca iContents
SECTION 1 Applying for certification renewal.................................................................................................... 1
Introduction............................................................................................................................................................. 1
General information ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Eligibility criteria...................................................................................................................................................... 2
Specific eligibility criteria................................................................................................................................... 2
Calculating hours of experience......................................................................................................................... 3
Inactive status for certification renewal candidates............................................................................................. 3
General guidelines for earning CL activities....................................................................................................... 4
Specific guidelines for recording CL activities.................................................................................................... 4
Aligning the CNA certification renewal process with continuing competence.......................................................... 7
Introduction...................................................................................................................................................... 7
Continuing competence.................................................................................................................................... 7
Five-step process for renewal by CL................................................................................................................... 8
Keeping track of CL activities............................................................................................................................ 8
Quality assurance audits.................................................................................................................................... 8
Fees for certification renewal.................................................................................................................................. 10
Financial support for certification candidates.......................................................................................................... 10
Employer support............................................................................................................................................ 10
Funding support from the Canadian Nurses Foundation................................................................................ 10
Government financial support......................................................................................................................... 10
Receipts........................................................................................................................................................... 10
Completing your application.................................................................................................................................. 11
1. Identification information.......................................................................................................................... 11
2. Registration and CNA membership........................................................................................................... 11
3. Verification of experience in the nursing specialty/area of nursing practice................................................. 13
4. Continuous learning activities.................................................................................................................... 14
5. Endorsement and verification of experience by a supervisor/consultant
in the nursing specialty/area of nursing practice ........................................................................................ 14
6. Nursing education history.......................................................................................................................... 15
7. Statement of understanding ...................................................................................................................... 15
8. Writing centre information........................................................................................................................ 15
9. Payment information................................................................................................................................. 18
Additional materials............................................................................................................................................... 20
Policies and procedures........................................................................................................................................... 21
Withdrawal and refund policies....................................................................................................................... 21
Incidental fees................................................................................................................................................. 22
Other policies.................................................................................................................................................. 22
SECTION 2 Frequently asked questions ............................................................................................................ 24
SECTION 3 Information on nursing specialties/areas of nursing practice ....................................................... 27
All rights reserved. The General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by
Prepare for CNA certification exams Continuous Learning or by Exam and supporting forms required for application
by visiting getcertified.cna-aiic.ca may be copied for the purpose of preparing an application for submission.
© Canadian Nurses Association
for the nursing competencies and
50 Driveway
bibliography for your nursing specialty Ottawa, ON K2P 1E2
or area of nursing practice. published in 2014
ISSN 1913-3065
ii General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by ExamSection 1
Applying for certification renewal
Introduction
Care to Be the Best The CNA Certification Program
is linked to the following national
Renewing your CNA National
nursing associations:
Certification Credential
Canadian Association of Critical Care Nurses (CACCN) –
Since 1991, the Canadian Nurses Association (CNA) www.caccn.ca
Certification Program has recognized an increasing number of
Canadian Association for Enterostomal Therapy (CAET) –
registered nurses (RNs) for having achieved CNA certification www.caet.ca
in their nursing specialty or area of nursing practice — a true
Canadian Association of Medical and Surgical Nurses
mark of distinction! (CAMSN) – www.medsurgnurse.ca
You have held this mark of distinction for its full term and Canadian Association of Nephrology Nurses and
it is now time to renew your certification. This application Technologists (CANNT) – www.cannt.ca
guide describes the process for certification renewal and the Canadian Association of Neuroscience Nurses (CANN) –
requirements you will have to meet. www.cann.ca
Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology (CANO) –
There are 20 nursing specialties and areas of practice listed www.cano-acio.org
here with their certification designation. Those available for
Canadian Association of Perinatal and Women’s Health
certification renewal are indicated with an (R).
Nurses (CAPWHN) – www.capwhn.ca
• Cardiovascular, CCN(C) (R) Canadian Association of Rehabilitation Nurses (CARN) –
• Community Health, CCHN(C) (R) www.carn.ca
• Critical Care, CNCC(C) (R) Canadian Council of Cardiovascular Nurses (CCCN) –
www.cccn.ca
• Critical Care Pediatrics, CNCCP(C) (R)
Canadian Federation of Mental Health Nurses (CFMHN) –
• Emergency, ENC(C) (R) www.cfmhn.ca
• Enterostomal Therapy, CETN(C) (R)) Canadian Gerontological Nursing Association (CGNA) –
• Gastroenterology, CGN(C) (R)) www.cgna.net
• Gerontology, GNC(C) (R) Canadian Hospice Palliative Care Association (CHPCA) –
• Hospice Palliative Care, CHPCN(C) (R) www.chpca.net
Canadian Occupational Health Nurses Association Inc.
• Medical-Surgical, CMSN(C)
(COHNA) – www.cohna-aciist.ca
• Nephrology, CNeph(C) (R)
Canadian Orthopaedic Nurses Association (CONA) –
• Neuroscience, CNN(C) (R) www.cona-nurse.org
• Occupational Health, COHN(C) (R) Canadian Society of Gastroenterology Nurses and
• Oncology, CON(C) (R) Associates (CSGNA) – www.csgna.com
• Orthopaedics, ONC(C) (R) Community Health Nurses of Canada (CHNC) –
www.chnc.ca
• PeriAnesthesia, PANC(C)
National Association of PeriAnesthesia Nurses of Canada
• Perinatal, PNC(C) (R)
(NAPAN©) – www.napanc.org
• Perioperative, CPN(C) (R)
National Emergency Nurses Affiliation (NENA) –
• Psychiatric and Mental Health, CPMHN(C) (R) www.nena.ca
• Rehabilitation, CRN(C) (R) Operating Room Nurses Association of Canada (ORNAC) –
www.ornac.ca
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca 1General information
What is certification renewal? accommodate certification renewal candidates who wish
to renew by exam and provides time for a thorough review
CNA certification is valid for a five-year term, after which of the continuous learning activities. It also allows time to
you can renew your national credential either by submitting process all of the applications and send new certificates to
a list of continuous learning activities or by rewriting the candidates before their certification term expires.
exam. Maintaining your certification is also contingent upon
maintaining your RN registration/licence and meeting all
certification renewal eligibility criteria. If you do not renew
Lapsed certification
your credential, it will lapse, and you will no longer have If you do not renew when the five-year term has ended,
the privilege of using it in your nursing specialty/area of your certification credential is considered lapsed. To earn the
nursing practice. credential again, you must meet the current eligibility criteria,
submit an application for initial certification and write the
When to renew certification exam. If you have any questions about your
certification renewal or the eligibility criteria needed to renew,
You must complete your online or hard-copy application do not hesitate to contact the CNA Certification Program at
for certification renewal by the last day of the renewal 1-800-361-8404.
application period. For 2015 certification renewal
candidates, the application period will run from
Note: Your fee will be processed immediately.
September 2 until December 1, 2014. Application form
Processing of your fee does not confirm eligibility.
available online. The application deadline is necessary to
Eligibility criteria
You can renew your certification only in the nursing
Note: One full-time year = 1,950 hours (including
specialty/area of nursing practice in which you are
vacation time).
currently certified. To renew, you have two basic options.
Choose only one option.
Specific eligibility criteria
Option 1: Continuous Learning (required for both options)
Submit a record of continuous learning (CL) activities in your To be eligible for certification renewal, you must meet the
nursing specialty/area of nursing practice accumulated during following criteria:
the five-year certification term (minimum 100 hours).
• You hold a current registration/licence as an RN in Canada.
Option 2: Exam • You have accumulated a minimum of 2,925 hours of
experience as an RN in your nursing specialty/area of
Write the certification exam. See the application form for
nursing practice during your current five-year certification
the exam date.
term in full-time, part-time or casual employment.
• You have accumulated a minimum of 100 hours of
All of the information requested as part of your continuous learning (CL) activities related to your nursing
application must be completed clearly and in full specialty/area of nursing practice during the five-year term,
or you have successfully written the current exam in your
for your eligibility to be accurately determined.
specialty/area of nursing practice.
Otherwise your application will not be considered.
2 General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by Exam• Your supervisor/consultant in your nursing specialty/area The request for inactive status must be made before
of nursing practice must verify that you have the the end of the candidate’s certification term.
required experience.
• Online applicants: The information stated on your
The fee for inactive status is $168 plus GST/HST and is
application will be sent electronically to your supervisor/
non-refundable.
consultant for validation and endorsement.
• Hard-copy applicants: The Endorsement and The Inactive Status Application form is to be sent to the
Verification of Experience section of the application form processing centre address listed along with the fee.
must be completed by your supervisor/consultant.
The candidate cannot use the CNA certification credential
• You have either completed the online certification during the inactive period.
renewal application process or, in the case of hard-
copy applications, completed the Certification Renewal Certification status can be reactivated at any time during
Application form, submitted the necessary documents the three-year term as long as the candidate meets all of the
and paid the appropriate fees. renewal eligibility requirements in effect at the time, including
any changes in requirements that may have occurred during
Calculating hours of experience the period of inactivation. The certification credential will be
reactivated when the Certification Renewal Application form
Here are some important points to remember as you calculate and fee are submitted and the application has been approved
your hours of experience. by CNA Certification Program staff.
• The hours you include must all be RN experience in your If a candidate does not apply for reactivation of their
nursing specialty/area of nursing practice. This experience credential before the end of the three-year inactive status term,
can be in any of the five following areas: direct patient care, the credential will lapse. In order to earn the credential at a
education, research, policy or administration. future date, the candidate will be required to meet all of the
• Hours of RN experience in your nursing specialty/area of current eligibility criteria and write the exam.
nursing practice can be earned outside of Canada.
If there are extenuating circumstances affecting reactivation
• You can include all hours completed, or forecast to be that require special consideration from the CNA Certification
completed, by the end of your certification term. Program, you must contact CNA certification staff to discuss
• Remember, one full-time year = 1,950 hours (including these circumstances before the three-year inactive status
vacation time). term ends.
Inactive status for certification Example
renewal candidates
Jane’s CNA certification renewal term is from April 16, 2010,
Nurses who must let their certification lapse owing to personal to April 17, 2015. She is due to renew her certification in
or professional reasons may apply to the CNA Certification 2015. In the autumn of 2014, she applies for inactive status,
Program for inactive status. Inactive status provides CNA- pays $168 (plus tax) and is granted inactive status from April
certified nurses with an additional three-year period to meet 19, 2015, to April 17, 2018. In October 2017, Jane applies
their renewal requirements. in writing to reactivate her CNA certification status, using
her experience and continuous learning accrued during the
Inactive status begins the day after the last day of the five-year period from November 2012 to November 2017. The
certification term. renewal application is approved and her certification is renewed
It cannot be extended past one three-year term. The request for the period of 2018 to 2023. Jane will receive a new CNA
for inactive status must be submitted before the certification certification number for the reactivation of her credential.
period expiry date using the Inactive Status Application form If Jane does not apply for status reactivation before the end of
(available at getcertified.cna-aiic.ca, Certification Renewal). her inactive term, her certification will lapse, and she will need
to write the scheduled exam to reclaim certification.
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca 3Candidate notification • One clock hour equals one CL hour.
Once a decision is reached, CNA will contact you in writing. • Subtract any time taken from the CL activity for lunch,
Because extra steps are involved in reviewing an application breaks, etc.
for inactive status, the notification process may take longer • Pre-authorization from CNA is not required for your CL
than eight weeks. activities to count.
Please contact the certification nurse consultant at • CL activities can be earned outside Canada. International
1-800-361-8404 for further details. CL activities are not only accepted, they are encouraged.
• Some examples of CL activities include attending
General guidelines for earning conferences, workshops, seminars and employer in-services;
continuous learning (CL) activity hours taking formal courses at college or university; making
presentations; and writing articles.
All provinces and territories now have continuing competence
and quality assurance programs. This means registered nurses Specific guidelines for recording
need to maintain and enhance their competencies through
CL activities
continuous learning to ensure their practice is based on the
knowledge and skills relevant to client health needs. Once you have developed your learning plan, there are
many ways in which you can achieve your CL requirements.
Once you have assessed your learning needs in your nursing For CNA certification renewal purposes, you will need
specialty/area of nursing practice and developed your learning to demonstrate that you have completed 100 hours of
plan to address those needs, your next step is to select the CL activities related to the competencies in your nursing
most appropriate and effective learning opportunities. specialty/area of nursing practice during your five-year
To renew your certification credential, you will need to earn a certification term. Your choice of CL activities should improve
minimum of 100 CL hours related to your nursing specialty/ your knowledge and skills in your nursing specialty/area of
area of nursing practice during your five-year certification nursing practice and should not be part of your primary
term. CNA is flexible about how you can earn these hours. responsibilities as defined in your job description (e.g., a nurse
educator responsible for the orientation of new staff would
Here are some general guidelines for earning CL hours not count the orientation as a CL activity).
for your certification renewal.
Please note that the CNA Certification Program allows a
• Each CL activity must relate to your nursing specialty/ great deal of flexibility with regard to the type of CL activities
area of nursing practice and to at least one of the that you undertake. CNA will, however, provide guidelines
competencies for that specialty/area of nursing practice. for a maximum number of hours you can claim for some CL
Visit getcertified.cna-aiic.ca, Certification Renwal, to activities. Below are examples of the types of CL activities
view the nursing competencies list for your nursing you may wish to count toward your CL hours.
specialty or area of nursing practice.
• Each CL activity must be a minimum of 30 minutes. Note: Nurses can use the CL requirements of their
jurisdiction toward their certification renewal.
• If you repeat an identical CL activity (e.g., basic cardiac life
support [BCLS]) during the five-year certification term, it
counts only once. If you take the activity at a higher level,
then you can count both (e.g., BCLS and then advanced
cardiac life support [ACLS]).
• Each CL activity must be earned during your five-year
certification term. You can project your CL hours up to
the last day of your current certification term, even though
you will be applying for certification renewal a few months
before your term ends.
4 General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by ExamAcademic courses CNA certification exam development
• The course content must be applicable to your area • Activities include sitting on the certification exam
of certification. committee or translation committee, or serving as an item
• You can count courses taken toward degree completion and writer or item reviewer.
advanced degrees if they apply to your certification area. • CNA will provide you with proof of participation.
For example, if an emergency nurse taking an ethics course
toward her nursing degree has focused her assignments on CNA Certification Mentorship Program
ethical issues in emergency nursing, the course now has a
• You will receive 10 CL hours from CNA for each year you
specialty focus and can count toward certification renewal.
participate as a mentor.
• You cannot count academic credits or courses that
• CNA will provide you with proof of participation.
are outside your nursing specialty/area of nursing
practice (e.g., English literature, history, music, general
Independent study
computer courses).
• You may include reading articles and answering the test
CL hours allotted: questions that appear in professional nursing journals
• In general, a college or university semester course (e.g., from (e.g., CEU articles). You must complete the questions and
September to December) is equal to 36 CL hours. This also have the activity scored. CNA will grant the same number
applies to a distance education course. of CL hours as stated in the journal.
• If you do not know how many credits are allowed for a • Participation in a journal club related to your nursing
course, calculate one CL hour for every clock hour you specialty/area of nursing practice can also be considered
spent attending the course (e.g., 3 hours/week x 12 weeks = for CL. Count the number of hours the journal club
36 CL hours). meets as CL.
• You may also include participation in e-learning tutorial
Conferences, teleconferences, seminars, programs, online courses, discussion groups and forums.
workshops As proof of your participation, print and retain hard
copies that clearly show your involvement in such
• Calculate the total hours attended (it is not necessary to break
programs and discussions.
down every individual conference session attended). On
average, you should claim 6 hours per day at a conference. • These activities must relate to your nursing specialty/area of
nursing practice.
• Remember, if you repeat the exact educational activity
within the five-year term, it counts as a CL activity only
Leading a study group to prepare for the
once. However, similar activities at different levels can count
certification exam
as separate CL activities (e.g., BCLS, ACLS). Follow the
general guidelines previously outlined. • The maximum number of hours you can claim for this
activity category is 40 hours.
Employer in-services
• You can count organizing and leading a study group to help
• These are generally short CL activities of 30 minutes or other RNs prepare for the CNA certification exam, as long
an hour. as the study group is in your certification nursing specialty/
area of nursing practice.
Note: If the in-service is offered regularly (e.g., • Remember that one clock hour equals one CL hour when
nursing grand rounds once a month), keep a running
calculating your leadership of a study group.
list of the sessions you have attended with all of the
pertinent information. Ask your nursing supervisor or
nurse educator to sign the list annually. This decreases
paperwork and makes it easy to document your
CL activities.
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca 5Professional specialty committee/ Preceptorship
association membership or participation
• The maximum number of hours you can claim under this
• The committee activity must be related to your certification activity category is 40 hours.
nursing specialty/area of nursing practice. Examples • The preceptorship must be in your specialty or area of
include serving on the planning committee for a specialty nursing practice.
conference or on the executive of the association for your
area of nursing practice. The activities should not be part Preceptorship is a frequently employed teaching and learning
of your job description’s regular responsibilities. You may method using nurses as clinical role models. It is a formal,
volunteer for the committee or be elected or appointed to one-to-one relationship of pre-determined length between an
it. The maximum number of hours you can claim for this experienced nurse (preceptor) and a novice (preceptee) and
category is 25 hours. is designed to assist the novice in successfully adjusting to a
new role. The novice may be a student or an already practising
• Membership in the national association representing your nurse moving into a new role or setting.
specialty, you may add 4 CL hours/year.
The organizations or departments involved in a preceptorship
Presentations, lectures, posters program provide an administrative plan for the program
based on a needs assessment as well as on their organizational
• These are credits for presentations you make to other health
philosophy. Administrative support of the program and its
professionals on topics related to your area of certification.
participants is essential for successful implementation of
• You can also count your preparation time. To calculate your the program.
preparation time, double the presentation time (e.g., 1 hour
presentation + 2 hours preparation = 3 CL hours). The preceptor
• If you repeat the exact presentation within the five-year
• acts as clinical teacher, professional role model and
term, it counts as a CL activity only once.
colleague;
• However, if you change the presentation significantly or give
• facilitates the preceptee’s introduction into the organization;
it at a different level, you can count the activity more than
once (e.g., level one: presentation on respiratory assessment, • collaborates with the preceptee to assess learning needs and
followed by level two: advanced respiratory assessment). set learning goals;
• For an oral presentation to a provincial or national • determines client care responsibilities appropriate to the
conference, you may claim a maximum of 10 CL hours for preceptee’s preparation in consultation with the preceptee;
your preparation and presentation. • provides encouragement and guidance to the preceptee; and
• For a poster presentation to a provincial or national • participates with the preceptee in evaluating specific
conference, you may claim a maximum of 10 CL hours for learning outcomes and the program in general.
your preparation and presentation.
The preceptee
• participates in the program as an active learner and
colleague;
• participates with the preceptor in assessing learning needs
and setting learning goals;
• clearly states when assigned care exceeds his/her preparation;
and
• participates with the preceptor in evaluating learning
outcomes and the program.
6 General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by ExamArticles, book chapters, research projects Other activities
• You can include publication of materials relevant to your • External examiner for thesis defence.
area of certification. • Learning activities completed as annual continuing
• Your publication can appear in a recognized professional competence/quality assurance requirements for the
journal or newsletter, or can be issued by a recognized provincial/territorial colleges or regulatory bodies can
publishing house. be counted toward certification renewal. The maximum
• The format can be a manuscript, research paper, book number of hours you can claim under this category is
chapter or book. 15 CL hours.
• A copy of the publication may be requested. • Volunteering related to your nursing specialty (e.g., with
a not-for-profit organization or charity, serving as a board
• For authorship or co-authorship of a book, allot 25 CL hours. member or delivering presentations to clients/consumers.)
• For a book chapter, manuscript article or paper, allot The maximum you can claim under this category is
15 CL hours. 15 CL hours.
• If you count a research project, the project must have been
completed during the five-year certification term. You must
be one of the recognized researchers, and the research must
apply to your area of certification.
• Remember that one clock hour equals one CL hour when
calculating your participation in research.
Aligning the CNA certification renewal process with
continuing competence
Introduction Continuing competence
As a CNA-certified nurse you understand the importance As an RN you are required to carry out a yearly self-assessment
of renewing your credential. The vast majority of CNA- as part of your provincial or territorial continuing competency
certified nurses renew their credential through the continuous requirements. To maintain licensure, RNs assess their general
learning option (see p. 2 for renewal options). You can extend competence by reviewing and reflecting on their practice
the benefits of your certification renewal process by aligning related to provincial and territorial regulatory standards.
the requirements of your provincial or territorial continuing Competence in these standards assures the public that RNs
competence program with those of your certification possess at least the minimum competencies to practise
credential when you undertake your CL activities. nursing and demonstrate the ability to integrate and apply the
knowledge, skills, judgment and personal attributes required
CNA has consulted with certified nurses about ways to keep to practise safely and ethically in a designated role and setting.
track of CL requirements during the five-year certification
term. One suggested strategy for efficient CL tracking is to RNs are lifelong learners who seek learning opportunities and
organize your CL activities on a yearly basis. Although the list develop learning plans with set time frames to meet provincial
of CL activities is only submitted to CNA every five years, and territorial competency requirements. CL requires that
organizing it annually helps align the process with the specific nurses reflect on their competencies in relation to societal
requirements of your provincial or territorial continuing changes and changes in the health-care environment and, as
competence program. Since the requirements for continuing a result of that reflection, take action to acquire and develop
competence programs vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, new competencies.1
it is important that you carefully review the specific criteria in
the jurisdiction in which you are registered. 1
For more information about continuing competence for RNs,
read the position statement “Promoting Continuing Competence
for Registered Nurses” at www.cna-aiic.ca.
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca 7The following figure shows the continuous circle of the
five-year CNA certification renewal timeline.
Figure 1: Five-Step Process for Renewal by CL
Step 1 Step 2
PLAN IT! DO IT!
CNA
Reminder: Even though the CL activities list Certification
5
is submitted to CNA only every five years, Renewal by CL
we recommend that you organize your Step Track your CL activities
REFLECT ON
3
annually and submit
certification renewal on an annual basis
ACHIEVEMENTS your list to CNA
every 5 years
Step
so that you can align the process with the AND PLAN IT AGAIN! DOCUMENT IT!
specific requirements of your provincial/
territorial continuing competence program.
Step 4
SUBMIT IT!
Keeping track of CL activities Quality assurance audits
Online applicants: Document your CL activities (one-at-a Audits ensure the quality of the CNA Certification Program
time) on the electronic form, indicating the CL sponsor/ and help maintain and continuously improve the program.
provider/institution and the CL activity length, then link your
learning activity with one of the competencies of your nursing They are conducted by randomly selecting 10 per cent of
specialty/area of nursing practice. the candidates who apply for certification renewal by CL.
Audited candidates will receive a notification and are expected
Hard-copy applicants: CNA provides some helpful forms for to submit proof of their CL activities. Examples of proof
keeping track of your CL activities during the five-year term. of CL activities include certificates of attendance, receipts,
transcripts of marks, letters from supervisors, copies of
• You may have been keeping your own list (e.g., an electronic articles written and lists of committee participants.
version). If so, submit a copy with your application.
• You can also use the CNA forms as templates to create your Do not hesitate to contact the CNA Certification Program if
own tracking forms. Be sure to record the total number you have questions about CL activities.
of CL hours in the appropriate box on the Certification
Renewal Application form.
• Submit your list of CL activities only at the time you apply
for certification renewal.
• Keep all official documents confirming your attendance at
CL activities. You do not need to send these documents
to CNA when you apply for certification renewal, but we
suggest you keep them on hand in case you are audited.
• Professionally and ethically, you are the best person
to decide which CL activities apply toward your
certification renewal.
8 General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by ExamCNA CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
CONTINUOUS LEARNING FOR CERTIFICATION RENEWAL: ACTIVITIES AND COMPETENCIES
Perinatal
Name: ____________________________________ Specialty/Area of Nursing Practice: ______________________________ Certification #: ______________
Use of this form is highly recommended; however, CNA accepts other forms and tools used to record learning. Please submit in a format similar to the following. Although the list
of CL activities is submitted to CNA only every five years, documenting the activities annually will help you align the process with the specific requirements of your provincial or
territorial continuing competence program, as well as achieve the criteria for CNA certification renewal. This form is available for downloading from the certification site at
getcertified.cna-aiic.ca (see renewal section).
We recommend that you keep an ongoing log of CL activities during the course of your five-year certification term. This example is based on an individual who received initial CNA certification in Perinatal Nursing in 2011.
You can claim and project your CL activities up to the end of your five-year certification term
Date Learning Opportunities Sponsor/Provider/Institution Competency Related to Learning Opportunity Number of Office Use
Competencies per Specialty/Area listed under the CL Hours Y/N
EXAMPLE
May 13-14, 2011 2-day workshop on postpartum Ottawa Hospital, General Campus
Certification Renewal tab at getcertified.cna-aiic.ca/
4.3 Identifies key elements of maternal physical assessment) 14
assessment – 2 days (7 hrs each)
May-August 2012 Preceptorship University of Ottawa nursing student in Intrapartum competencies from 3.1 to 3.24 – All are relevant on 40
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca
perinatal nursing the perinatal unit on which the preceptorship occurred
June 25, 2012 Neonatal Resuscitation Program Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus 3.12 identifies indications for and risk factors associated with 8
induction of labour.
September 14, 2013 Breastfeeding workshop Ottawa Hospital, General Campus 4.18 Selects appropriate nursing interventions to deal with 4
common breastfeeding challenges
October 2013 ALARM course – x 2 days SOGC Obstetrical emergencies 3.10 selects appropriate nursing interventions to respond 12
(6 hours each) to the following urgent and emergency situations in the
intrapartum period:
May 2014 Postpartum care education session CAPWHN’s continuing education program 4.3 Identifies key elements of maternal physical assessment 12
CAPWHN annual conference in Winnipeg
January-December Perinatal Nursing Grand Rounds Ottawa Hospital, General Campus Perinatal competencies 3.12, 4.2 & 4.3 8
2014 Once per month x 8 months =
1 hour x 8
Projected Identification, screening and CAPWHN’s continuing education program, 4.2 Selects nursing interventions to promote healthy parenting 12
March 15-16, 2015 management of intimate partner abuse workshop and family development
Total CL hours during five-year certification term* 110 hours
*Eligibility criteria include completion of at least 100 hours of continuous learning (CL) activities related to your nursing specialty/area of nursing practice; see the guidelines in the CNA certification renewal guide for details.
*You can claim and project your CL activities up to the end of your five-year certification term. Please add the word “projected” in the front of the CL activity.
To submit: Hard-copy applicants: Include your list with your renewal application form.
Online applicants: Transcribe your CL activities into the electronic application form.
9
Revised February 2014Fees for certification renewal
All related fees can be found in the front section of this guide. Note: For withdrawal and refund information, refer to
the Policies and Procedures section on page 21 of this
• Applications will not be processed until the full fee
application guide.
is received.
• This is the only certification fee you will pay during your
next five-year term.
Financial support for certification candidates
Employer support Government support
You may wish to investigate the possibility of financial support Some provincial and territorial governments have funds
from your hospital or employer. available for nurses involved in continuous learning,
certification or both. For more information, look on the
If your employer is funding your certification (in full or in website of your provincial or territorial government, contact
part), please submit the total amount with your application. the chief nursing officer in your province or territory or
›
It is your responsibility to make the appropriate financial contact your jurisdiction’s nursing regulatory body.
arrangements with your employer so that CNA receives only
one payment with your application. Consult the “Resources” section of the CNA
certification website for more information about
Each year, CNA gives a health-care facility the Employer financial support for certification candidates and
Recognition Award for showing exemplary, sustained support the Employer Recognition Award.
of the CNA Certification Program and CNA-certified
registered nurses. If you want to nominate your employer,
go to the CNA Certification website and follow the Receipts
nomination procedures. Receipts will be issued with your renewal eligibility letter.
Certification fees do not meet the requirements of the Income
Funding support from the Canadian Tax Act and therefore do not qualify as a tuition tax credit.
Nurses Foundation There is a fee for duplicate receipts.
The Canadian Nurses Foundation (CNF) will award one
bursary per nursing specialty/area of nursing practice to
successful candidates who have applied for this award.
All candidates eligible for certification renewal will receive
CNF funding information in their letter of eligibility
from CNA. For more information visit CNF’s website at
www.cnf-fiic.ca or call 613-237-2133.
10 General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by ExamCompleting your application
Online and hard-copy application options are available by 1. Identification information
visiting the “Certification Renewal” section of the certification
• Insert your name exactly as you wish it to appear on
website. Online applicants must create an account and follow
all correspondence. For hard-copy applicants, please
the onscreen instructions. Hard-copy applicants can download
print clearly.
and print the Certification Renewal Application form from
the “Certification Renewal” section of the website. • Insert the required address and contact information.
Please include your e-mail address(es). An e-mail address
An application for the current year is needed to ensure the is mandatory, as most communications from the
accuracy of our records. CNA Certification Program will be done via e-mail
To avoid processing delays, or disqualification of (e.g., confirmation of eligibility).
your application, please be sure to be accurate in the • If your contact information changes, it is your responsibility
information you provide. For hard-copy applicants, print to notify the CNA Certification Program Processing Centre
clearly in pen and make sure the application form and directly. You can use the Update Your Information form on
all additional documents are complete before mailing. the certification website or e-mail certification@cna-aiic.ca.
Be sure to keep a copy for your records.
2. Registration and CNA membership
Completing your application Registered nurse licence/registration
(page 1 of the Certification Renewal
Application form) We cannot review the eligibility of your application if
proof of your RN licence/registration is missing from your
Certification renewal by continuous application form.
learning or by exam
• Online applicants: Only your RN licence/registration
• Indicate which option you have chosen for certification number is required.
renewal (by continuous learning or by exam).
• Hard-copy applicants: Include a copy of your RN status
CNA certification number OR a copy of an e-mail confirming membership in your
provincial/territorial nursing association.
• Insert your eight-digit CNA certification number (this
• Your surname (family name) indicated on your application
number is on correspondence you receive from the CNA
must correspond with the name indicated on your nursing
Certification Program and on your certificate). For hard-
licence/registration. If there is a discrepancy, please
copy applicants, please print clearly.
provide a copy of documentation (e.g., a marriage licence)
indicating your change of name.
Language of correspondence preferred
• Indicate whether you prefer your correspondence and
documents (e.g., letters, exam information, exam results,
certificate of achievement) in English or in French.
Nursing specialty/area of nursing practice code
• Indicate the two-letter nursing code for your nursing
specialty/area of nursing practice. The codes are listed
on the application form.
• Indicate if you are applying for or renewing certification
in another nursing specialty/area of nursing practice.
A separate application is required for each specialty/area.
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca 11The process of obtaining CNA membership is CNA membership for Ontario nurses (two options)
different in Ontario and Quebec than in the
Option 1
other provinces and territories.
Membership via the Registered Nurses’ Association
Neither membership in any of the specialty nursing of Ontario (RNAO): If you said yes to CNA
associations nor a CNA certification credential membership when you renewed with RNAO for the
gives you CNA membership. 2014-2015 membership year, your RNAO membership
number will entitle you to the discounted certification fee:
Are you a CNA member? • Online applicants: Enter your RNAO membership number
only. To be validated as a CNA member, your RNAO
• By being a member of CNA you save over $200 on
membership must have been active for two months prior to
initial certification and over $80 on certification renewal!
the application date. If your RNAO number does not give
Membership, however, is not required to write the exam or
you the CNA member exam cost, please contact the CNA
to renew your credential
Certification Processing Centre at certification@cna-aiic.ca.
• RNs registered with the following provincial and territorial
• Hard-copy applicants: Attach a copy of your current
registered nurses’ associations are CNA members:
RNAO membership card OR a copy of an e-mail
College of Registered Nurses of British Columbia (CRNBC) confirming membership with RNAO.
College and Association of Registered Nurses of Alberta • Under this option, you must be an RNAO member during
(CARNA) the 2014-2015 membership year. If you have been an
Saskatchewan Registered Nurses’ Association (SRNA) RNAO member for less than two months, please use a
paper application.
College of Registered Nurses of Manitoba (CRNM)
Nurses Association of New Brunswick (NANB) Option 2
College of Registered Nurses of Nova Scotia (CRNNS) Independent membership in CNA: If you are an Ontario
Association of Registered Nurses of Prince Edward Island RN who is not a member of RNAO, it is possible to
(ARNPEI) be a member of CNA with our new independent RN
membership. However, we encourage all RNs to ensure
Association of Registered Nurses of Newfoundland and
membership with both provincial and national professional
Labrador (ARNNL)
associations for the benefit of the profession and our health
Yukon Registered Nurses Association (YRNA) system. Should you choose to only join CNA, our annual
Registered Nurses Association of the Northwest Territories membership fee is $54.95 (plus applicable taxes). Register
and Nunavut (RNANT/NU) directly at join.cna-aiic.ca. Note: If you are applying for
certification online, please wait 24 hours after purchasing
CNA membership for Quebec RNs your CNA membership to complete your application.
This will ensure our system is updated and your member
discount can be applied.
Independent membership in CNA: Registered nurses in
Quebec can be a member of CNA with our new independent
membership. The annual membership fee is $54.95 (plus • None of the following gives you CNA membership:
applicable taxes). Register directly at join.cna-aiic.ca. Note: If registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario;
you are applying for certification online, please wait 24 hours membership in the Ontario Nurses’ Association, other
after purchasing your CNA membership to complete your nursing unions or any of the national nursing associations
application. This will ensure our system is updated and your for nursing specialties/areas of nursing practice; or a CNA
member discount can be applied. certification credential.
• The Ordre des infirmières et infirmiers du Québec (OIIQ)
is not a member of CNA; therefore, CNA membership is
not possible through OIIQ.
12 General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by ExamCompleting your application • Be specific about the time frame in which you have earned
(page 2 of the Certification your hours of experience in your nursing specialty/area of
Renewal Application form) nursing practice in the past five years. For example, an RN
in the emergency department works 1,950 hours in each
year of the five-year period. The total number of hours in
3. Verification of experience in the
ER nursing from January of year one to December of year
nursing specialty/area of nursing
five equals 9,750 hours (1,950 x 5 = 9,750). One full-time
practice
year = 1,950 hours (including vacation and sick time).
All candidates complete carefully • Please do not use abbreviations (e.g., Children’s Hospital
Because this part of your application serves to verify your RN of Eastern Ontario should not be referred to as CHEO;
experience in your nursing specialty/area of nursing practice the Ottawa Hospital should not be TOH).
and determine your eligibility, it is crucial that it be completed • Be specific about the unit/department where you work, to
in full and that all details requested be included. identify your nursing specialty/area of nursing practice
• Dates of employment in the chosen nursing specialty/area (e.g., emergency department, outpatient psychiatry).
of nursing practice must be provided up to and including • Refer to the Eligibility Criteria section on pages 2-3 of
the past five years only (the duration of your certification this guide. The hours of experience you list must meet the
term). Experience and employment in all years before the minimum in the eligibility criteria you have selected.
past five years will be considered inapplicable.
• Begin with your most current employment.
*Be specific — It is an important determinant of your eligibility
Example:
Specialty HOURS
SUPERVISOR/ DATES OF
(During your 5-year
EMPLOYER POSITION CONSULTANT EMPLOYMENT certification term)
Full Name of Employer / Hospital Title Name 1,950
The Ottawa Hospital RN Staff Nurse full time in-patient Jane Doe, RN Hrs/yr
From
geriatric unit (show number of hours
Most Current
September 2009
floor/Unit 4 EAST/Gerontology related to specialty
Title if not full time)
Address 1234 MAIN ST. TO
Responsibilities Operations Director 2010 1,950
current 2011 1,950
City OTTAWA in-patient geriatric care for clients with Geriatrics
2012 1,950
multiple diagnoses 2013 1,950
Province/Territory ONTARIO 2014 1,950
9,750
Postal Code K0K 1A1
Total hours
Canadian Nurses Association getcertified.cna-aiic.ca 13Here are some important points to remember when you 4. Continuous learning activities
calculate your hours of experience:
Tracking list of CL activities
• You must include dates of employment and hours up to
• Online applicants: Document your CL activities (one-at-a
and including the previous five years only (the duration
time) on the electronic form, indicating the CL sponsor/
of your certification term).
provider/institution and the CL activity length, then link
• You may wish to contact your human resources your learning activity with one of the competencies of your
department to obtain the number of hours you have nursing specialty/area of nursing practice.
worked as an RN in your nursing specialty/area of
• Hard-copy applicants: Download and print the
nursing practice.
Continuous Learning Activities template from the renewal/
• The hours you calculate must all be RN experience in continuous learning section of our website and use it to
your chosen nursing specialty/area of nursing practice. create your own record. You can use multiple copies of this
This experience can be in any of these five areas: form if there is not enough space to include all of your
direct patient care, education, research, policy activities on one. You can also keep an electronic list on
or administration. your computer for quick reference and easy updating.
• Hours of RN experience in your nursing specialty/area If you have done so, please feel free to include it with
of nursing practice may be earned outside of Canada. your application.
• Remember: One full-time year equals 1,950 hours (this • You can calculate your CL activities hours up to the end of
is also equal to 162.5 hours/month, or 7.5 hours/day). your five-year certification term, if necessary (April 2015).
If only a portion of your nursing experience is in your Please add the word “projected” in the front of the CL
nursing specialty/area of nursing practice, please indicate activity.
the percentage of work hours that are related to the
specialty/area. For example, if you are working full time Guidelines for earning and documenting
in an intensive care unit and 80 per cent of the patients CL hours
receive cardiovascular care, this would be calculated as
• Read the guidelines provided on the Continuous Learning
1,950 x 0.8 = 1,560 hours/year in the cardiovascular
Activities form and on pages 4-7 of this guide carefully. This
specialty. If you work full time on a medical/surgical unit
information will assist you as you complete your list of CL
and 30 per cent of the patients receive gastroenterology
for certification renewal.
care, you will calculate 1,950 x 0.3 = 585 hours/year in
the gastroenterology specialty. Please be sure to indicate
the correct percentage of hours for each year.
14 General Application Guide for Certification Renewal by Continuous Learning or by ExamYou can also read
