Palliative care focuses on patients requiring symptom management and support for advanced disease, and at the end of life. Hospice and palliative nursing is the care of patients and their families, emphasizing their physical, psychosocial, emotional, and spiritual needs (Martinez et al., 2000).
The NBCHPN has certified RNs with the CHPN credential since 1993. NBCHPN developed certification in hospice and palliative care for nursing assistants in 2002 (Martinez, 2003), and for advanced practice nurses in 2003. The certification exam for LPNs and LVNs was launched in September 2004.
Defining Scope and Standards
Any valid certification process begins with a job analysis or Role Delineation Study to identify the scope and standards of a specialty practice (Cogdill & Fabrey, 2003). LPNs and LVNs nationwide were surveyed in a variety of palliative care and hospice practice settings, to define their patient care tasks. A representative panel of hospice/palliative care experts (RNs and LPNs) then analyzed the survey results.
The panel prioritized tasks from the surveys and compared them to palliative care standards. These tasks provided the basis for developing the scope, standards, and competencies defining LPN/LVN palliative care practice and a content outline used as a blueprint for each exam. This process was guided by the testing agency Applied Measurement Professionals, Inc. (AMP) (Cogdill & Fabrey, 2003).
The Certification Exam
Each year, the NBCHPN Board of Directors appoints an Exam Development Committee (EDC). EDC is responsible for all aspects of the exam. The LPN EDC consists of expert LPN/LVNs and certified RNs from across the United States, representing hospice, long-term care, home care, and acute care (Martinez, 2002). AMP oversees exam administration, scoring, and test outcomes reporting under the policies established by the NBCHPN Board.
Eligibility
Candidates who have an active LPN or LVN license are eligible to take the exam. A minimum of 2 years' practice in a hospice or palliative care setting is strongly recommended. HPNA members receive a discount on the exam application fee.
Candidates who successfully pass the exam receive the CHPLN credential. The LPN/LVN certification is valid for 4 years after which time candidates are required to recertify in order to maintain their specialty credential. The exam is offered twice each year, in March and September, at over 40 sites nationwide. Detailed information is available by calling (888) 519-9901 or visiting http://www.nbchpn.org.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The author thanks The Fan Fox and Leslie R. Samuels Foundation for its partial grant support provided for the development of the LPN/LVN certification in hospice and palliative care.
Licensed Practical/Vocational Nurse Certification Examination: Detailed Content Outline
1. Patient Care: End-Stage Disease Process in Adult Patients
2. Patient Care: Pain and Comfort Management
3. Patient Care: Symptom Management
4. Patient Care: Treatments and Procedures
5. Care of Patient, Family and Others
6. Patient and Family Education and Advocacy
7. Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Practice
8. Practice Issues
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