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Certification for the Hospice and Palliative
NURSING ASSISTANTS
The National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses (NBCHPN®) is composed of advanced practice nurses, registered nurses, a licensed practical/vocational nurse, a nursing assistant, a nurse certified in another specialty, an administrator, and a non-nurse consumer member. Board members represent a wide variety of geographic areas, practice settings, and educational backgrounds. The NBCHPNÒ is responsible for the development and oversight of certification for the specialty of nursing in hospice and palliative care.
How is hospice and palliative nursing assistant practice defined?
Hospice and palliative nursing assistant practice is the provision of nursing care, under the supervision of a registered nurse, for the patient and family, with emphasis on their physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual needs when experiencing a life-limiting illness. This is accomplished in collaboration with an interdisciplinary team in any setting. The nursing assistant is integral to achieve a high standard of hospice and palliative care as a member of this team.
Who is eligible for certification?
To be eligible for the NBCHPN® Nursing Assistant Examination, an applicant must fulfill the following requirement by the application deadline:
Complete necessary documentation in the Candidate Handbook on the NA exam application section to provide achievement of 2000 practice hours under the supervision of a registered nurse in the past two years.
NBCHPN® recommends that candidates should have at least two years of experience in hospice and palliative nursing assistant practice to consider themselves eligible for the exam.
What credential is granted for certification? Candidates that sit for and pass the NA certification exam are granted the CHPNA® credential (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant)
Why seek certification?
Certification focuses specifically on the individual and is an indication of current competence in a specialized area of practice. Certification is highly valued and provides formal recognition of basic hospice and palliative nursing assistant knowledge. The certification examination for nursing assistants is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Candidates achieving a passing score on this examination will be awarded the Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant (CHPNA®) credential.
What content is covered in the exam? The exam consists of 110 items (questions) distributed across 4 domains of practice for the care of an adult patient and family as shown in the detailed content outline located in the Candidate Handbook.
What is the cost of certification?
Persons applying for the certification exam who are current HPNA members PRIOR to applying for the NBCHPN certification exam are entitled to the HPNA member discounted exam fee as a membership benefit.
Click here for a list of certification fees
How often must I renew my certification?
Hospice and palliative nursing assistant certification is recognized for a period of four years at which time the candidate must retake and pass the current Certification Examination for Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistants.
How do I apply?
A candidate can apply for the NA certification exam online through, www.nbchpn.org or by mailing their application to the testing company, AMP. The certification exam is offered at over 160 AMP test center locations.
The Certification Handbook and Application for the exam are available by clicking here, or by calling the testing agency, Applied Measurement Professionals at 1-888-519-9901.
More information on the certification examination for hospice and palliative nursing assistants can be obtained by contacting the National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses by email at nbchpn@hpna.org or by phoning the National Office at 412-787-1057.
Handbook and Application |