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Today we discuss the CHPN Certification extensively and summarize how to become a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse.
We promise that at the end of this read you will understand how to become hospice certified, how to go about your CHPN Exams, get to know some hospice and palliative credentialing centers near you, and how important these certifications are to your nursing practice.
In this study guide we covered in-depth:
- An overview of CHPN certification
- What is CHPN certification?
- All it takes to earn CHPN certification
- What CHPN certification exam is all about
Let’s dig in!
An Overview of CHPN Certification
Hospice and palliative care providers deserve to be recognized for their competence, and now is the time to do so.
Palliative care has never been more prominent than it is in today’s healthcare system.
With a life-limiting condition or at the end of life, the public now has the right to select the concentration and type of care they will get.
Consequently, for themselves and those they love, more individuals are opting for convenience and quality at the end of life.
Credentialing and accrediting authorities are placing a greater emphasis on symptom management and pain management mastery.
End-of-life care projects and research are receiving more funding.
New ideas, programs, and tools are being developed as a result of funded attempts to enhance care and results.
You should be proud of your competence and commitment to care grade at the end of life as a Nurse Practitioner in hospice and palliative care.
Evidence-based practice, years of clinical practice or experience, and education are all resources available to many practitioners.
Knowing the demands of hospice patients and their family members dealing with life-threatening illness and loss should inspire you to become both an advocate and a teacher.
Certification as a professional is one approach to demonstrating your expertise.
Certification is a procedure that verifies and assesses a person’s skills and knowledge in a certain field.
The certification implies the ability of a particular body of understanding, whereas a license ensures minimal competency to perform in a subject.
Validation of license and any other prerequisites are part of the application procedure.
The most common method of validating knowledge of a particular area is through testing windows.
A Hospice Nurse is licensed for a duration of four years after passing the exam.
Retesting or engaging in the Hospice and Palliative Accrual for Recertification (HPAR) procedure, which provides points for other professional activities and continuing education, can be used to renew certification before the initial certification expires.
The NBCHPN (National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses) was founded in 1992 by visionary leadership with the purpose of establishing a certification procedure for Hospice Nurses.
In 1994, that essence group created and enforced the first certification examination, based on their personal experience and early hospice nursing research.
What is a CHPN Certification?
CHPN certification is a voluntary process that allows a person to demonstrate their abilities, knowledge, and expertise in a certain nursing sector.
The CHPN is a public acknowledgment of an individual Nurse’s dedication and commitment to improving the quality of care in hospice and palliative care nursing.
Typically, certification does not occur until after a nursing program has been completed.
Hospice and Palliative Care Certification Requirements
Eligibility Standards for the Certification
To be eligible for the HPCC CHPN exam, prospects must presently hold an unencumbered valid Registered Nurse licensure.
At least 500 hours or 30,000 minutes of hospice and palliative nursing practical experience in the previous year, or a minimum of 1,000 hours or 60,000 minutes in the previous two years, is required to apply for CHPN certification.
Initial certification with the CHPN costs $415.1 ($285.1 for HPNA members).
Renewal of CHPN certification costs $380.1 ($240.1 for HPNA members).
CHPN reTEST Assured goes for $125.1.
CHPN Certification Exam
Before beginning the timed CHPN exam, all prospects will get the chance to engage in a preparation test on the computer.
After you’ve gotten used to the practice test style, you can then move on to the timed examination.
While the one-hundred-and-eighty-minute timed exam is going on, the remaining test time will be displayed in the lower part of the right corner of the computer screen.
The exam timer can be switched off while the exam is still going on if you choose.
If the exam time limit is surpassed, the exam will be automatically terminated.
The certification exam follows a linear pattern, which ensures that each candidate answers the same digits of questions and that the exam queries do not come out more complicated as a result of previous responses.
If you’re not sure what the proper answer is to a question, candidates can save it and come back to it afterward.
There are multiple-choice questions on the CHPN exam totaled to be about 150.
Each test contains one-tenth of the total practice questions that are not factored into the final score.
For scoring, about one-hundred and thirty-five rated questions are weighted equally.
There will be four feasible responses to each question to choose from.
The five types of questions usually found on the CHPN exam are as follows:
Adult Patients with Life-Limiting Health Conditions: Patient Care (18 percent)
Responding to and detecting symptoms of impending death, and identifying distinctive patterns of complications, progression, and therapy for various disorders are only a few of the subtopics covered in this area.
Pain Management: Patient Care (22 percent)
Responding to and assessing problems; identifying categories of pain or pain syndromes; completing a full assessment of pain, and pharmaceutical therapies are all covered in the pain management section.
Symptom Management in Patients’ Care (24 percent)
This section covers cardiovascular disorders, neurological disorders, gastrointestinal disorders, respiratory disorders, and musculoskeletal disorders.
Care for Patients and their Families, Advocacy and Education (24 percent)
This section covers themes such as the purpose of care, grieving and loss, resource management, education, caregiver support, and advocacy, among others.
Issues in Practice (12 percent)
Care coordination, professional development, collaboration, standards, scope, and guidelines are all covered in the practice concerns area.
CHPN Practice Test
Health care professionals that work in hospice and palliative care settings can get certified, indicating that they have the necessary talents, experience, and skills to offer high-quality treatment in this nursing specialty.
The HPCC (Hospice and Palliative Credentialing Center) created the CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse) examination and certification.
PSI Services was hired by the HPCC to assist in the administration, development, and scoring of the computer-based CHPN exam.
By initially submitting an online application or paper application, you can book an appointment to take the CHPN exam at one of the PSI test sites located throughout the United States.
Candidates who are seeking initial certification must submit transcripts along with their application.
To sit for the CHPN exam, prospects must presently hold an unrestricted valid Registered Nurse licensure.
At least 500 hours or 30,000 minutes of hospice and palliative nursing practical experience in the last one year or 1,000 hours or 60,000 minutes in the previous two years are required to apply for CHPN certification.
Importance of CHPN Certification
Even in this era of exposure and expanded opportunity, the demands on hospice and palliative care are growing, which has a significant impact on the required commitment to this nursing specialty.
On a daily basis, hospice and palliative nursing care comes with a lot of stress.
The sometimes devastating responsibilities of dealing with terminally ill people, the sense of responsibility felt by team members, and the personal tenacity required to deal with life and death problems on a daily basis.
Constantly, the financial benefits are insufficient, and in the context of salary for healthcare professionals, whether they are certified or not, Hospice Nurse’ salary is unlikely to improve considerably.
So, why would you want to devote more of your time to studying for the CHPN certification exam after a long day at work, which frequently includes overtime?
Why should or would you invest money and time in the certification procedure if your employer does not give any incentive or financial reward?
For healthcare professionals who devote their time to practice and testing, the certification process can have intrinsic rewards.
These are some of them:
- A thorough examination of the present corpus of knowledge that the hospice and palliative care professional is responsible for
- Involvement in study groups or review courses with other peers and learn from them
- Sharpening of knowledge and abilities in areas that aren’t used on a regular basis
- A renewed commitment to expertise and excellence in the practice area
- Enhanced self-assurance and competence in the workplace
- Through accreditation and continued usage of the title, acknowledgment by colleagues and other workers in the field
- Future career opportunities when hospice and palliative care specialists’ qualification becomes a requirement for employers
Once qualified, a Nurse is:
- Authorized to use the following credentials: CHPPN-Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse; CHPN-Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse; CPLC-Certified in Perinatal Loss Care; CHPNA-Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant; CHPCA-Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator; CHPLN-Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse; ACHPN
- Eligible to serve on the Examination Development Committee or HPCC Board of Directors or join HPCC certification project teams
- Recognized at the annual certification event
- Served as the editor of the HPCC certification newsletter
- Eligible for a discount on certification renewals
- Eligible for prizes, scholarships, and grants from the HPCC and the HPNF (Hospice and Palliative Nurses Foundation)
- Possess access to a national network of knowledgeable and experienced hospice and palliative care experts
Conclusion
The attainment of a nursing certification can aid in the development of your abilities and reputation, but it can also aid in the improvement of the level of patient care you can provide to patients.
Because of the delicate nature of the work performed by hospice and Palliative Care Nurses, qualifications can be even more significant than they are in other fields of nursing.
CHPN certification is unquestionably a valuable addition to your nursing resume.
Yet, you may have reservations regarding the certification procedure as well as the overall worth of credentials in general.
This certification can be obtained when you have read through this guide and answered all of your questions.
FAQs
What is an Advanced Certified Hospice?
The Advanced Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse (ACHPN) credential verifies that a person has the advanced knowledge and necessary expertise to care for terminally ill patients. Nurses with this accreditation can work in nursing homes, hospices, the homes of patients, and even hospitals.
What is the HPNA (Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association)?
The HPNA (Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association) is a national professional association that represents the field of palliative nursing. It was founded in 1986. HPNA members are committed to enhancing professional care in serious illnesses via leadership development, education, research, and advocacy.
What is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse?
The Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse (CHPPN) credential verify that a person has the expertise and required training to care for terminally ill children. Nurses with this accreditation can work in nursing homes, hospices, the homes of patients, and even hospitals.
Do I Need to Go for Hospice Nurse Certification Training Before the Exam?
No, you do not need to be qualified to begin working in hospice. In fact, before you can seek certification, you must have prior hospice experience. You will learn about hospice essentials throughout your first year with hospice. Yes, as soon as you are eligible, you should get certified.
How Difficult is the CHPN Exam?
The CHPN exam Is a very difficult one. Although no specific experience as an RN or Hospice RN is required to take the CHPN exam, it is recommended that you work in the profession first before considering taking the exam.
How Do I Get My CHPN Certification?
Candidates who are seeking initial certification must provide transcripts with their applications. Prospects must presently hold an unencumbered valid Registered Nurse licensure. At least 500 hours or 30,000 minutes of hospice and palliative nursing practical experience in the previous year, is required to apply for CHPN certification.
What is Hospice RN Certification?
This is Hospice certification for Registered Nurses. Hospice Nurse certification verifies that a Nurse has received the specialized training and expertise needed to provide hospice care. It also captures the comprehensive care that patients and their families get.
How Do You Pass CHPN?
To be deemed passing, you must achieve at least a scaled score of 75 out of a possible 99. Before it needs to be renewed, a CHPN certification is good for four years. Renewing is done by retaking the exam and applying for it again.
How Does Having a CHPN Certification Benefit a Nurse?
Once qualified, a Nurse is authorized to use the following credentials:
– CHPPN – Certified Hospice and Palliative Pediatric Nurse
– CHPN – Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse
– CPLC – Certified in Perinatal Loss Care
– CHPNA – Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant
– CHPCA – Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Administrator
– CHPLN – Certified Hospice and Palliative Licensed Nurse
– ACHPN
How Long is the CHPN Test?
The CHPN test takes roughly about three hours or 180 minutes.
Where Will I Be Taking the CHPN Exam?
The exam is administered at one of PSI’s 300 testing centers across the country. The exam is offered on a first-come, first-served basis Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Go to the GOAMP website to locate a PSI testing facility near you.
How Long is CHPN Certification Good for?
Each CHPN certification is valid for four years, after which it must be renewed either by retaking the CHPN test or via another method which is continuing education. Every other renewal of the CHPN must be done using the examination process.
How Many Questions is the CHPN Exam?
There are multiple-choice questions on the CHPN exam summed up to be about one hundred and fifty. Each test contains 15 practice questions that are not factored into the final score. For scoring, the 135 rated questions are equally weighted. There will be four possible responses to each question.
How Often Do You Renew CHPN?
Each CHPN certification is valid for four years, after which it must be renewed either by retaking the CHPN test or through the continuing education method. The number of times you can take the CHPN Test is unlimited.
What Does CHPN Mean After RN?
The certification of a Hospice and Palliative Nurse (CHPN) allows you to enhance your expertise in the hospice and palliative care business, exhibit dedication to the profession, demonstrate your commitment to improving patient outcomes, and achieve recognition throughout the industry.