|
AHNCC
 ENTER |
|
|
Here
you will find general information about the Certification Process
including:
|
|
|
|
|
A
definition of Certification, the
Purpose, Benefits,
Eligibility
Criteria of
Certification. The HN-BC AHN-BC as Certification
Credentials, and an
Anticipated
Timeline for the Certification Process and an order form for
the AHNCC Handbook
are also
included.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Information
about AHNCC :
|
Values,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Mission,
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Purpose
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Established
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Policies on: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
WE HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR SEARCH.
|
|
|
|
CERTIFICATION
PROCESS: GENERAL INFORMATION
|
|
|
|
Definition of
Certification
|
|
|
|
|
Certification
is the process that a non-governmental authority uses to grant recognition
to an individual who has met specified qualifications and competencies in
a defined area of practice. Based
on predetermined standards of professional practice, a registered nurse
validates her/his qualifications and specialized clinical knowledge for
practice by seeking the credential conferred by such an authority.
Certification is a voluntary process and should not be confused
with a legal professional license.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
Purposes of
Certification
|
|
|
|
|
National
certification:
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Establishes
minimum competency standards for Holistic Nursing practice,
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Assures
the public that the certified nurse has completed all eligibility
requirements to earn a credential verifying he/she has achieved the level
of knowledge and competency required for practice of Holistic Nursing, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Recognizes
nurses who have met those standards.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
AHNCC
Established
The
American Holistic Nurses' Certification Corporation (AHNCC), incorporated
in 1997 and governed by a Board of Directors, is responsible for the
development, administration and evaluation of the Holistic Nurses'
Certification and School Endorsement Programs.
The
Board of Directors strives to ensure the validity, reliability, security
and integrity of the Certification Examination Process. The Executive
Director is responsible for the management of daily activities related to
AHNCC’s Values, Mission, Purpose and Policies.
| Executive
Director: |
Margaret Erickson, PhD, RN,
AHN-BC |
| Board
of
Directors: |
Helen Erickson, PhD, RN,
AHN-BC, FAAN (Chair); Mary Brekke, Joan Engebretson, Noreen
Frisch and Carla Mariano (AHNA Liaison). |
Top
of page
Benefits
of Certification
|
|
|
|
|
National
certification benefits the nurses certified and Society because it:
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Validates
knowledge and competency necessary for Holistic Nursing practice,
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Establishes
identity with consumers, employers, colleagues, and surveyors as someone
with credibility in the field of Holistic Nursing,
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Encourages
continued personal and professional growth consistent with Holistic
Nursing, and
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Provides
documentation of knowledge and competence in Holistic Nursing, in the form
of an official certificate.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
The Holistic Nursing Certification Process
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holistic
Nursing Certification
includes three required, sequential steps:
| Step
1)
|
An application to qualify for certification. This is the step in which
the potential candidate completes an Application, compiles related
documents, and forwards them to AHNCC.
|
| Step
2)
|
A qualitative assessment. This step provides the potential candidate an
opportunity to describe how he/she has integrated concepts of Holistic
Nursing into his personal and professional lives.
|
| Step 3)
|
A quantitative examination. This is a standardized,
approximately 200
item multiple-choice examination designed to assess the candidate’s
Holistic Nursing knowledge and competencies.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Each
Step in the process is further described in the section on
Certification
and Recertification.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
Certification
Eligibility Criteria
|
|
|
|
|
•Unrestricted
and current RN licensure with a minimum of a baccalaureate degree for the
Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (HN-BC) or a graduate degree in Nursing for the
Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified (AHN-BC).
|
|
|
|
|
•Active
practice as a holistic nurse for a minimum of one (1) year full-time,
2,000 hours within the last five (5) years part-time, or graduation from
an Endorsed School.
|
|
|
|
|
•Completion
of a minimum of 48 contact hours of Continuing
Education in Holistic Nursing within a two (2) year period
preceding application or graduation from an Endorsed School.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
Certification
Credential
|
|
|
|
|
•Nurses
certified by AHNCC may use the designated credential HN-BC or AHN-BC
determined by the level of certification. This credential
verifies that the individual has met all eligibility and testing
requirements and is currently certified as a Holistic Nurse. The HN-BC
designates basic level of competence while the AHN-BC designates advanced
competence. At no time are the two interchangable.
|
|
|
|
|
•HN-BC
and AHN-BC
can not be used when the nurse has:
|
|
|
|
|
a) |
Not
completed AHNCC Certification or Recertification requirements consistent
with the level of competence;
|
|
|
|
|
b) |
A
restricted or withdrawn RN license;
|
|
|
|
|
c) |
Requested inactive status; or
|
|
|
|
|
d) |
Certification
has been withdrawn by AHNCC.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
HN-BC
and AHN-BC Responsibilities
|
|
|
|
|
Nurses certified as HN-BC
and AHN-BC are responsible for
|
|
|
|
|
|
•AHNA’s Personal and Professional Code of Ethics;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Professional
conduct as described in AHNCC’s
Professional Code;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Notification
of any information that might lead to revocation of certification;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Maintenance
of Continuing Education Record
so that requirements can be verified at any point in time;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Notification
of any change in name, address, email or telephone number;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Submission
of Recertification Application Packet
within 60 days prior to certification expiration date.
Top
of page
|
|
|
| |
Anticipated
Timeline for the Certification Process
|
|
|
|
|
•Practice: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Post-baccalaureate
practice in Holistic Nursing
minimum is one (1) year. This requirement is waived for eligible graduates
of Endorsed Schools.
|
|
|
|
|
•Certification
Process
|
|
|
|
|
|
The
Certification Process includes three sequential steps. A description of
each of these can be found by clicking here.
It is anticipated that each of the three steps will require a minimum
amount of time. These are indicated below:
|
|
|
|
|
| Step
1:
|
An
Application to Qualify for Certification:
|
6 weeks
|
|
Note:
There
is no maximum time for Applying to Qualify.
|
| Step
2:
|
A
Qualitative Assessment:
|
8 weeks
|
|
This
requirement is waived for
Eligible
Graduates
of Endorsed Schools.
Candidates who fail to meet criteria for
successful completion of the Qualitative Assessment may resubmit the
Qualitative Assessment Packet as many times as necessary for a maximum of
one (1) year from the date of notification of Eligibility to Progress to
the Qualitative Assessment.
|
|
| Step
3:
|
A Quantitative Examination:
|
8 weeks
|
|
This
includes required 6 week notice for PTC
and ends on the date of testing. Candidates must successfully pass the
Quantitative Examination (QE) to become certified in Holistic Nursing (HNC).
If a candidate fails the QE, he/she will be eligible to retake it no
sooner than three (3) months and no longer than one (1) year from the date
of the first QE.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Notification |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Candidates
will be notified of their status approximately 6 weeks after completion of
the Quantitative Examination.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
Values
|
|
|
|
|
AHNCC
is committed to values that enhance professional practice and contribute
to competency in Holistic Nursing practice. Values such as integrity,
fairness, excellence, innovation, holism, mutuality, empowerment, caring,
healing, and transformation provide the basis for Holistic Nursing
practice. These values
provide a foundation for the Holistic Nursing
Certification Examination. The Holistic Nursing Core Values and
Standards for Practice are available through The
American Holistic Nurses’ Association.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
MISSION
|
|
|
|
|
The Mission of AHNCC is to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Be
a leader in credentialing nurses in Holistic
Nursing;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Standardize
requirement for Holistic Nursing
Certification;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Promote
recognition of Holistic Nursing as a Specialty
Area that is based in a Code of
Ethics, Core
of Knowledge
and Competencies;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Advance
the legitimate role of Holistic Nursing in the health care system.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
PURPOSE
|
|
|
|
|
The
purpose of AHNCC is to ensure that nurses engaged in holistic practice:
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Integrate
foundational concepts of holism
into their lives and practice;
|
|
|
|
|
|
•Demonstrate
proficiency in the body of knowledge specific to Holistic Nursing
including research and theory.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
GENERAL
POLICIES
|
|
|
|
|
•Universality: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
It is the policy of the AHNCC that no applicant
shall be excluded from the opportunity to become certified as a holistic
nurse on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender,
marital status, sexual orientation, age or
disability.
|
|
|
|
|
•Membership
Requirements
|
|
|
|
|
|
Although many
Certified Holistic Nurses enjoy an association with
The American Holistic Nurses’ Association
(AHNA),
membership in an association or organization is not required to become
certified as a Holistic Nurse (HN-BC or AHN-BC). |
|
|
|
|
•Withdrawals: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Applicants
wishing to withdraw their documents must submit a written letter by
certified mail. No other
means of communication will be accepted.
All remitted fees will be forfeited.
|
|
|
|
|
•Returned Checks:
|
|
|
|
|
|
A
$50.00 fee will be assessed to any applicant whose personal check is
returned for insufficient funds. Remittance
of all fees thereafter must be in the form of a money order or certified
check.
|
|
|
|
|
•Correspondence: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
AHNCC cannot be responsible for the timely
performance of the post office, UPS or other delivery services in
delivering documents. Furthermore, AHNCC cannot be responsible for
documents that may become lost in transition.
Applicants are encouraged to make copies of all materials
submitted. Those desiring
verification of receipt by AHNCC should use certified or registered mail.
|
|
|
|
|
•Late Receipt of Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
AHNCC
cannot be responsible for delayed receipt of
documents due to changes in name, postal address or email address.
|
|
|
|
|
•Nurses
certified as HN-BC or AHN-BC are responsible for:
|
|
|
|
|
a) |
Professional
conduct within the context of AHNA’s
Personal and Professional Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice;
|
|
|
|
|
b) |
Professional
conduct as described in AHNCC’s
Professional Code;
|
|
|
|
|
c) |
Notification
of any information that might lead to revocation of certification;
|
|
|
|
|
d) |
Maintenance
of Continuing Education Record
so that requirements can be verified at any point in time;
|
|
|
|
|
e) |
Immediate
notification in writing (to AHNCC
) of any change in name, address, email or telephone number;
|
|
|
|
|
f) |
Submission
of Recertification Application Packet
within 60 days prior to certification expiration date.
|
|
|
|
|
•Disciplinary Actions may
be taken if any of the following occur:
|
|
|
|
|
a) |
Falsification
of an application or misrepresentation of eligibility to become certified;
|
|
|
|
|
b) |
Misrepresentation
of certification to the public or misuse of the HN-BC or AHN-BC credential;
|
|
|
|
|
c) |
Untruth of any information submitted to AHNCC;
|
|
|
|
|
d) |
Lack
of a current RN license or knowledge of legal actions against a licensee
in any US jurisdiction or foreign country;
|
|
|
|
|
e) |
Failure
to maintain eligibility requirements, or pay required renewal fees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
For
more information regarding Disciplinary Actions, please see the AHNCC
Professional Code.
|
|
|
|
|
•Special Arrangements
|
|
|
|
|
|
AHNCC,
sensitive to the special needs of persons with
disabilities or impairments, complies with all ADA requirements for
accommodation. To arrange for
special considerations, complete the Accommodation
Request and submit with proper documentation and verification
of the disability or impairment from a suitable licensed professional.
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
FEES
|
|
|
|
|
All
fees, payable in US funds, are subject to change without advance notice.
There are five sets of Fees
listed below. The first set includes Certification Fees for those who are
members of the American Holistic Nurses Association (AHNA). The second are
for those who are not AHNA members. The third and fourth sets are for those
who have graduated from AHNCC Endorsed Schools with two categories of fees:
AHNA members and non-members. Each of these show Fees for the HN-BC Candidate
and the AHN-BC Candidate. The final set of Fees are the School Endorsement
Process Fees.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certification
Process Fees for AHNA Members
|
|
|
|
|
HN-BC |
AHN-BC
|
|
Handbook
|
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
|
Application |
$25.00 |
$25.00 |
|
Qualitative Assessment |
$150.00 |
$150.00 |
|
Quantitative Examination
|
$275.00 |
$300.00 |
| |
|
|
|
Recertification |
$250.00 |
$300.00 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Certification
Process Fees for Non-AHNA Members
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
HN-BC |
AHN-BC
|
|
Handbook
|
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
|
Application |
$25.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Qualitative Assessment |
$175.00 |
$175.00 |
|
Quantitative Examination |
$300.00 |
$325.00 |
| |
|
|
|
Recertification |
$275.00 |
$325.00 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Certification Process Fees for Graduates
from Endorsed Schools/AHNA Members
|
|
|
|
|
HN-BC |
AHN-BC
|
|
Handbook
|
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
|
Application |
$50.00 |
$50.00 |
|
Quantitative Examination |
$275.00 |
$300.00 |
| |
|
|
|
Recertification |
$250.00 |
$300.00 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
Certification Process Fees for Graduates from
Endorsed Schools/Non-AHNA Members
| |
|
|
|
|
HN-BC |
AHN-BC
|
|
Handbook
|
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
|
Application |
$75.00 |
$75.00 |
|
Quantitative Examination |
$300.00 |
$325.00 |
| |
|
|
|
Recertification |
$275.00 |
$325.00 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
School Endorsement Process |
|
|
|
Endorsement Application |
$500.00 |
|
|
Endorsement Resubmission |
$100.00 |
|
|
Re-Endorsement |
$500.00 |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top
of page
|
|
|
|
|
Home
| Holistic Nursing
|
Certification Process
|
Recertification | Endorsement
| E-mail
|
Webmaster |
|
|