News to Share Fall 2016

In the News We now have 12,189 CPAN® and CAPA® Certified Nurses! Dually Certified – 630 We now have over 12,000 CPAN and CAPA certified nurses in the United States. These numbers are as of January 1, 2017 and represent steady growth year over year. Let’s all spread the news about the benefits and value of certification and keep the momentum going!

Benefits of CPAN/CAPA Certification Validates specialized knowledge and experience Promotes the highest quality patient care Demonstrates commitment to continual learning Strengthens personal and professional pride Studying keeps you up to date on the latest best practices Gives you a competitive edge in your career Here’s a brief reminder of some of the the benefits and values of CPAN and CAPA Certification. [ Visual: CertificationNow Q&A ]

New and Improved Website www.cpancapa.org We’ve organized the content on our website with easy-to-follow navigation across the top. It’s easier than ever to find valuable resources and tools to help you get certified and to maintain your certification. Our website has also been optimized for use on mobile phones and ipads. Check it out at cpancapa.org and bookmark it for easy access!.

ABPANC Study Resources ABPANC is continually updating and adding new resources to help nurses prepare for the CPAN and CAPA exams. Find them on the homepage or go to Resources>Study Tools [ Visual: Study Resources Card ] In addition to the Candidate Handbook, which contains the Test Blueprint and a Study References List (found in Appendix D), ABPANC currently offers the following Study Tools: 12-week Study Plan Study Question of the Week Free Webinars – Test Taking Strategies, Fear of Failure Study Tips Brochure Mind Mapping Study Guide 4 Practice Exams available for purchase

NEW CPAN/CAPA Mobile Study App You will LOVE our new Study App for your phone. It’s so easy to use and a convenient way to review questions anytime, anywhere. We’ve taken 50 CPAN and CAPA questions (25 each) and included a study reference for each, plus included a balance of questions that cover content in the three domains of perianesthesia patient care identified in the Test Blueprint: Physiological Needs Behavioral Health and Cognitive Needs Safety Needs Each question includes four multiple choice answers and you will instantly know if you’ve answered the question correctly, and may then review the question, retry, or move onto the next question. The app keeps track of all your correct answers. Once complete, you may continue to review all correct answers, or clear your answers and start over. Even if you aren’t studying for the exam it’s a great way to keep up with current best practices. We have links to the App on our website and it’s available in the Google Play and Apple iTunes stores for $9.99. See me afterwards if you’d like to see how it works on my phone. that were previously used in the Question of the Week program and updated

12 Week Study Plan The Test Blueprint, which is also found in the Candidate Handbook, contains the complete listing of patient needs and related nursing knowledge that comprise the CPAN and CAPA examinations. The 12 week study plan Organizes the content defined in the Test Blueprints into topics that can be reviewed in approximately four hours per week. You may choose to put more or less emphasis on specific areas of knowledge expertise, but this is a great organizational tool. Download it for free from our website under “Resources” and then “Study Tools.”

Free Webinars Conquering Test Anxiety and Fear of Failure 30-minute webinar with PDF handout Test Taking Strategies 20-minute webinar full of tips to help you prepare We’ve recorded two webinars that will help you prepare for the CPAN or CAPA exam. They are free, and on our website for you to view at any time.

Study Question of the Week Each Wednesday at 6am ET, ABPANC posts a CPAN and a CAPA study question. Use these questions as a discussion tool. The answer, along with the next week’s question, will be posted the following Wednesday at 6am. Each question contains the domain and content area, and is referenced using a publication on ABPAN’s Study References List. There website currently contains an archive of past questions. Encourage people to sign up to receive a question in their inbox. [ Do a show of hands to who is subscribed to QoW; if they are not subscribed, encourage people to subscribe ]

Practice Exams Evaluate your strengths and knowledge gaps. Similar in format to the real exam. Four 50-question exam forms available for purchase. Each practice examination contains 50 unique questions and costs $50. Receive a free practice examination for each one you purchase – BOGO New this year, you will earn 8 contact hours for completing two of the practice exams. The purpose of the online CPAN and CAPA Practice Examinations is to provide a simulated (or similar) experience to taking the actual CPAN and/or CAPA certification examinations, and to provide an overview of candidate strengths and knowledge gaps. Questions on the practice test are representative of the types of questions seen on the actual CPAN and/or CAPA certification examinations and are presented in a timed sequence so you get to learn the pace of the actual exam. The correct answer and at least one reference is provided for each question as a study aid. And, new this year, you will earn 8 contact hours for completing two of the practice exams. With the BOGO, you get 100 test questions, plus 8 contact hours for $50. It is important to note that ABPANC does not provide the rationale for the correct answer, just a reference. ABPANC believes that empowering candidates to refer to the reference themselves to find the correct answer and understand the rationale makes them active participants in the learning process, which is ultimately better for their comprehension and retention. Passing the Practice Exam does not guarantee you will pass the actual exam.

ABPANC Certification Coach ABPANC’s Certification Coaches can help you identify and use the most helpful study strategies. For information about finding a Certification Coach or obtaining resources for a study group, contact Zelda Williams at zwilliams@proexam.org ABPANC has coaches around the country who can help you in your certification journey. Contact Zelda Williams to learn more. If you’re already certified, I hope you’ll consider becoming an ABPANC Certification Coach.

Additional Study Resources Study Tips Brochure: A quick reference guide with tips for organizing a study outline, identifying study resources, and dealing with test anxiety. Mind Mapping Study Guide: A creative way to organize information to study for the exam, while mapping your own knowledge base and areas of need. The Study Tips brochure is a quick reference guide whidh includes many helpful study tips and answers some of the most common questions. [ Visual: study tips brochure ] Mind mapping, also called concept mapping, is a visual way to document your knowledge base and reinforce areas of need.

Examination Dates and Deadlines SPRING 2017 FALL Registration Window January 9 – March 6 July 10 – September 5 Exam Administration Window April 3 – May 30 October 2 – November 20 Procrastination does NOT have its advantages, start studying early and be prepared. The most common feedback we get from nurses who do not pass the first time is that they did not spend enough time studying for the exam. Plan on a minimum of 4 hours per week. Candidates are strongly encouraged to read the Certification Handbook in its entirety. It contains very important information about the exam blueprints, study references, and test administration details. ABPAN’s Study References List (Appendix D of the Certification Handbook) contains the ONLY study references that are approved by ABPANC. It is your most valuable list of references and should be the baseline of your study materials. While you don’t have to use all of these references, these are the only materials ABPANC uses to verify correct answers. Be leery of other resources, not on this list, that claim to be “approved.” If you don’t have time to prepare for the Fall exams, begin thinking about using those long winter months to study for certification in the upcoming Spring. Register early so you get the best availability of testing dates and locations, plus give yourself plenty of time to study, and be sure that you take advantage of ABPANC resources! Deadline for Canceling Appointment: - Up to 48 hours prior to your scheduled exam. ABPANC now uses PSI Services, a global leader in testing administration, for delivery of the CPAN and CAPA exams.

Recertification Recertification Cycle Certification Expires Recertification Window Opens/ First Renewal Sent via email Spring April 30 January 1 Fall October 31 July 1 Application and Forms are found on our website under “Recertification” Record your contact hours in the Continual Learning Documentation Log. Once you recertify, the Log is erased so you can start a new one The recertification process is done completely online. Your recertification cycle depends on when you initially got certified. For those who initially certified in the Fall, Certification expires October 31. For those who Certified in the Spring, Certification expires April 30. If you are due for recertification, you should have received a letter in the mail in July for the Fall recertification cycle. If you are due to recertify in the Spring, you will receive your First Renewal Notice in January. Instructions are provided in that Renewal Notice, but I suggest that you review the recertification Handbook for more details

Scholarships are Available ABPANC is offering a limited number of scholarships for certification and recertification fees If your employer does not offer any monetary support, you may be eligible Applications are accepted May 1- June 30 Get the application form online at www.cpancapa.org/scholarship ABPANC offers a limited number of scholarships each year for certification and recertification fees. If your employer does not offer any monetary support you may be eligible. You can apply for the scholarship on the ABPANC website between May 1 and June 30.

New! Certification Achievement Award   Recognizing units with 75% or more of eligible perianesthesia nurses with CPAN and CAPA Certification. Submit the online application by December 31. This is a brand new award from ABPANC. If your unit meets this goal of 75% certification in 2017, be sure to complete the online application before December 31st. Winners will be announced on Certified Nurses Day and recognized at the CPAN/CAPA Celebration Luncheon at ASPAN Annual Conference. Entry forms are available on our website, under Resources – Awards.

New! My Certification Story See the newest section of our website where other CPAN and CAPA certified nurses have shared their own personal journey to certification. Please think about sharing your own story about how certification has helped you personally and professionally. Your story may be the motivation someone else needs to make the commitment toward perianesthesia nursing certification. www.cpancapa.org > Benefits > Certification Stories

Your ABPANC Board Liaisons Your ABPANC Board Representative is always available to answer questions and provide support. Simply contact us and let us know how we can help. Region 1: Celeste Jones-Lyon celeste.jones@abpanc.com Region 2: Zoni Gazy zoni.gazy@abpanc.com Region 3:     Laura Williams laura.williams@abpanc.com Jennifer Rice jennifer.rice@abpanc.com Region 4:       Cidalia Vital cidalia.vital@abpanc.com Region 5:        Vicki Yfantis vicki.yfantis@abpanc.com Other Board Members: Annette Brancati annette.brancati@abpanc.com Linda Lakdawala linda.lakdawala@abpanc.com Your ABPANC Board Representative is always available to answer questions and provide support. Simply contact us and let us know how we can help.

2016-2017 ABPANC Board of Directors This photo was taken at our August 2016 Board of Directors Meeting in Baltimore.

Get Involved! Become an ABPANC Certification Coach Empower others to become CPAN/CAPA Certified Support materials provided Earn up to 60 contact hours! Become a Remote Item Writer Submit questions for possible use on the CPAN/CAPA Examinations Earn 2 contact hours for each question submitted! Once you are CPAN/CAPA Certified, There are lots of opportunities to get involved and support certification if you have the desire. As an ABPANC volunteer, you get free contact hours toward recertification. Coaching is a great way to use your experience to help others. A lot of our nurses really enjoy the challenge of writing items for possible use on the CPAN/CAPA examinations! If you have an interest, we have the resources and tools to help you enjoy the experience, learn, and contribute to the perianesthesia nursing field. See me afterwards and I’ll be happy to share more information with you. I WOULD LET THOSE IN A REGION WHERE WE HAVE VERY FEW COACHES KNOW TO MAKE THAT POINT [Visual: ABPANC Item Writing Card]

Visit Our Online Store! Flaunt your CPAN/CAPA Certification by wearing items with the CPAN/CAPA logo! We have lapel pins, badge holders, tote bags, T-shirts, amethyst bracelets and much more. Share your pride and enjoy quality products at great prices. Visit the store at www.cpancapa.org > Store Our online store has some pretty nice merchandise at great prices. For the first time, we are selling our beautiful amethyst bracelet with engraved pendant ($35).

Get Social with ABPANC! Like Us on Facebook! Join Us on LinkedIn Be among the first to receive announcements and updates View our photos Share your passion Join Us on LinkedIn We have over 2000 connections Links are on our home page. Our social media connections are growing fast and it’s a great way to stay connected. We won’t inundate you with posts, but you’ll be the first to know about valuable news related to our profession. Please join us!

ABPANC 475 RIVERSIDE DRIVE, 6TH FLOOR NEW YORK, NY 10115 800-622-7262 – PRESS OPTION 3 212-367-4236 zwilliams@proexam.org

CPAN® and CAPA® Certification: Nursing Passion in Action!® Thank you! CPAN® and CAPA® Certification: Nursing Passion in Action!® Thank you!