Welcome to the comprehensive guide on Nurse Educator Certifications!
In this article, we will break down the CNE Certification, and its advantages, and also offer strategies on how to prepare for it.
Reading this guide will give you all the pertinent details should you decide to pursue your Nurse Educator Certification.
We cover the following:
- CNE Certification
- Advantages of the CNE Certification
- Strategies to prepare for the exam
Let’s dive in!
Introduction
Nurse Educators are highly trained professionals who have expert knowledge of the Nursing practice.
They work in universities, community colleges of Nursing, and hospitals across the country, providing training for future Nurses through their instruction sessions or conferences held on various topics related to clinical practice.
They may also be responsible for curriculum development which teaches students about health care practices outside formal education settings such as retail clinics.
With so much going on today with healthcare reform, we all must do what little bit possible to ensure professional development.
Nurse Educators are the backbone of our nursing profession.
They provide clinical instruction and oversee Nursing student learning in degree program classes from essential life support to advanced registered Nursing degrees while also teaching the next generation of nurses how to provide care on their own!
Nurses who want to teach other Nurses need rigorous and practical education.
These skilled professionals hold a Master’s Degree of Science in Nursing (MSN degree), which gives them the expertise of coursework completed at universities across America and clinical setting experience working with patients day-in clinic hours.
In contrast, most academic positions require holding doctorates.
Nurse Educators are not limited to one type of formal education.
Many Nurse Educators receive advanced training in specialized MSN or graduate certificate programs focusing on Nursing education.
This can be earned through full-time or online programs.
Nurse Educators in most fields may have additional training and specialize as Nurse Practitioners (NP), or Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) specialization.
You are likely to find Nurse Educators who also sum up as Nurse Anesthetists, Nurse-Midwives, or Specialists in adult care, pediatric care, neonatal care, emergency care, geriatric care, psychiatric care, family care, etc.
To offer all these services and more, CNE Certification is key to Nurse Educators.
Nurse Educator Certifications
CNE is the abbreviation for Certified Nurse Educator.
The Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) designation is a highly competitive and prestigious award that recognizes Nurses who have met the requirements for achieving passing scores on examinations administered by National League For Nursing.
NLN is the national organization comprising various Nurse Faculties and Nurse Educators of various Nursing programs.
They are tasked with providing voluntary accreditation to Nursing education programs.
They fulfill this through the Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (CNEA).
The CNE Certification is an international professional-level assessment that indicates the holder has demonstrated specific proficiencies in Nursing education according to The National League For Nursing (NLN) guidelines.
This voluntary standard was created with one goal: to preserve the integrity of healthcare services nationally.
The main requirement for this prestigious award?
Completing either a master’s or Doctorate Degree in Nursing.
However, there are other requirements, like holding an active and valid RN license.
Here are some requirements to be an official candidate for the CNE Certification exam:
- Must be a holder of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctoral Degree in Nursing (DNP) with Nursing education as the major
- Has enrolled and earned a post-master’s certificate program focusing on Nursing education and their Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Nursing
- At least nine credit hours of Nursing Educator Certificate programs at the graduate level plus a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Nursing
- Holders with a Master’s or Doctoral Degree in Nursing but have concentrated in another field – They have at least two years of experience working full-time at an academic institution within the past five years
The Certified Nurse Educator Exam
If you’re an applicant for CNE Certification and meet the qualifications, then apply to take a test that NLN will offer.
The registration process can be done on NLN’s official website!
You must pay a mandatory filing fee.
NLN members pay $400, while non-NLN members pay $500.
Applicants must read the CNE Candidate Handbook thoroughly.
It is where NLN details the exam registration process and provides sample test questions.
The online exam is a rigorous 150-question test that measures your competency in six key areas.
You have 90 days to complete it after registering, which means you need all the help available!
You can expect the questions to touch on:
- Facilitating learning
- Engage in scholarship, service, and leadership
- Use assessment and evaluation strategies
- Pursue continuous quality improvement in the academic Nurse Educator role
- Participate in curriculum design and evaluation of program outcomes
- Facilitate learner development and socialization
Candidates can take advantage of the Scope of Practice for Academic Nursing.
This book, published by NLN, is designed to prepare students for the exam.
It also provides a Self-Assessment Examination, an excellent tool for candidates preparing for the exam.
Once you earn your CNE Certification, you enter a five-year renewal cycle.
Strategies to prepare for the CNE Exam
The National League for Nursing (NLN) provides a wealth of information for test-takers on its website.
In addition to general information about the examination, the NLN provides a practice test that can be taken online.
The practice test is a great way to familiarize oneself with the format of the actual exam and the types of questions that are likely to be asked.
Furthermore, the NLN website also offers a variety of tips and strategies for studying for the CNE, making it an invaluable resource for anyone planning on taking the examination.
In addition to the resources provided by the NLN, there are several other ways that individuals can study for the CNE Exam.
Review courses, study guides, and practice exams are all available to help test-takers prepare for this critical examination.
The course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive overview of the Nursing profession.
It is organized into lessons covering more specific Nursing and Nursing education topics.
To ensure that students are firmly grasping the lesson concepts, there are quizzes following each lesson and tests after each of the chapters.
Students can use these as tools to gauge their progress and comprehension.
Once students have completed the course, they also can take the online practice test, and after noting any weak points, they can resort to studying flashcards.
The flashcards contain all of the critical information from the course in a concise and easy-to-review format.
Using both the practice test and the study flashcards, students can be confident that they have a thorough understanding of the material before taking the licensure exam.
The Advantages of the CNE certification
Prospective Nurses Educators who want to be considered professionals in their field need the CNE Certification.
This shows that they are qualified and experienced enough for this position.
This can make the difference when it comes time to hire them as a teacher or coach at your hospital!
The CNE certification is a highly sought-after award that can open doors to new opportunities within the Nursing profession.
Earning this esteemed seal of approval means you’re ready to share your knowledge and expertise at academic institutions, hospitals, and Nurse training programs.
The CNE certification is an excellent way for RNs who have been awarded their master’s or doctorate in Nursing to find employment where the demand for trained professionals is exceedingly high.
The dearth of qualified Nurses is a serious issue that has been going on for quite some time now.
To make up for the shortage, new graduates for a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (BSN) must be trained by Educators with proper licenses and credits to do so as not to disrupt patient care or harm themselves while trying.
While at that, the shortage of qualified Nurse Educators to fill the roles of faculty members and clinical preceptors is equally alarming.
The American Association of College of Nursing (AACN), in its periodical report on Enrollment and Graduations in Baccalaureate and Graduate Programs in the September 2020 issue, noted that more than 75,000 applications by qualified candidates for the various graduate and bachelor’s level Nursing programs were declined at multiple Nursing programs.
The reason was this dearth.
Conclusion
Although not mandatory, Nurse Educators should prove their level of expertise with a certification.
It demonstrates the RN’s qualifications, competency, and expertise as a Nurse Educator.
It also gives them an added advantage over other job seekers.
The primary certifier for Nurse Educators is the National League of Nurses (NLN).
They offer two certification designations for Nurse Educators: Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) and Certified Clinical Academic Nurse Educator (CNE-CL).
To ensure that they are fully prepared for the CNE Examination, individuals should familiarize themselves with the content areas covered on the test.
Additionally, it is a good idea to review practice questions to get a feel for the types of questions that will be asked.
You can increase your chances of passing the CNE Examination and earning your certification by taking these steps.
FAQs
What is a CNE certification?
The Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) credential denotes excellence in Nursing education and offers validation of the Nurse educational specialist role. To be certified, candidates must meet specific eligibility requirements and pass a rigorous computer-based examination offered by the National League for Nurses.
What is the difference between CNE and CEU?
CNE and CEU are standards for measuring educational credits. CNE stands for contact hours of Nursing continuing education, while CEU is shorthand for Continuing Education Units. One CNE is equivalent to one hour of contact time between a healthcare professional and a patient while one CEU is equivalent to ten.
Which are the best Certified Nurse Educator Programs?
The National League for Nursing ranks programs on a variety of factors, including curriculum, faculty, and student services. Based on these criteria, the top five Certified Nurse Educator Programs in the country are:
– Duke University
– Vanderbilt University
– Villanova University
– Simmons College
– Seattle Pacific University
How many questions is the CNE Exam?
The CNE Certification exam is a computer-based test that consists of 150 multiple-choice questions. The exam is divided into two parts, with Part 1 covering general Nursing knowledge, skills, and technology, while Part 2 focuses on specific areas of practice.
How do you study for the CNE Exam?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as everyone has a unique study style. Some general tips can still be provided. First, ensure you are familiar with the content areas to be covered on the exam. Secondly, create a study schedule and stick to it. Finally, take practice exams!
What is the pass rate for the CNE Exam?
The certifying exam is offered three times per year, and the pass rate for first-time test takers is typically between 60-70%. The NLN provides study materials and practice exams to help candidates prepare for the test, and many colleges and universities offer review courses as well.
Which are the Nurse Educator professional organizations?
The primary organizing body for Nurse Educators is the National League for Nursing (NLN). The body comprises Nursing Leaders and Educators who design and implement the certification exams and advice on other pertinent issues. They are responsible for maintaining the standard of specialized skills and knowledge in the industry.