The Primary Care Self-Assessment Exercise (SAE) is a self-paced, independent study tool profiling updated knowledge of PNP practice, clinical management and pharmacology. The SAE is developed by CPNPs®, pediatricians and pharmacologists following a comprehensive Primary Care SAE Curriculum.
Scroll down to learn all about this acclaimed learning tool to update your knowledge, and visit these quick links elsewhere on our site for even more details:
Yes...if you are dually-certified in both Primary Care and Acute Care.
Dually-certified CPNPs® are required to complete one Primary Care SAE per 7-year cycle.
The Primary Care Self-Assessment Exercise (SAE) includes:
Printed questions and corresponding resources (Reference Manual of articles) will be mailed as usual regardless of the answer method you select.
After you successfully complete the SAE using the online answer method, you will be emailed the Feedback Report (critiques) and your CE certificate. Please allow 4 weeks for processing.
After you successfully complete the SAE using the paper answer sheet method, you you will be emailed your Pass/Fail score report, the Feedback Report (critiques), and your CE certificate. Please allow 4 weeks for processing.
Those who did not pass will have an opportunity to re-take the answers they missed. See "What If I Don't Pass?" below for more information.
Online Answer Method vs. Paper Answer Sheet Method
The PNCB now offers a choice of two methods for answering the items in your SAE.
• Method 1: Answering items online (not recommended if you use dial-up Internet service)
• Method 2: Answering items using a paper answer sheet
Here's how it works... The SAE booklet and Reference Manual will be mailed to you for your review and reference as you complete the SAE items.
However, if you choose the online method of answering SAE items, no paper answer sheet will be sent to you with your SAE materials.
Instead of using a paper answer sheet, you will answer the SAE items online beginning October 15th. You will have unlimited access to the online answer method until May 15, 2010.
To do this, an SAE testing link and a user ID and password will be provided. Benefits of the online method of answering the items include:
• No need to fill in a paper answer sheet and return it to the PNCB
• You will be able to review the critique for each item immediately
• Scoring is available instantly after completion
• Opportunity for Retest available in a timely manner if you are unsuccessful the first time
• This option saves you $10 over the paper answer sheet option
SAE policies remain the same whether you choose to answer online (Method 1) or complete a paper answer sheet (Method 2):
• You will have unlimited access to the SAE beginning October 15, 2009, depending on when you order, through May 15, 2010.
• You will have an opportunity to pay a late fee and complete the SAE after the deadline.
• You must complete the SAE for scoring in order to receive recertification credit and continuing education award.
• CE certificates will be awarded for successful completion with a score of 70% or greater.
When you choose an SAE for your Recert option, simply select the answering method you would like to use when you order the SAE:
• Method 1: Answering items online (a user ID and password will be emailed to you beginning October 15th, along with a link to the SAE site.) No paper answer sheet will be included in your SAE materials.
• Method 2: Answering items using a paper answer sheet (a paper answer sheet, along with a return envelope will be enclosed with your SAE materials).
See our in-depth FAQ sheet for detailed information on this easy way to complete your SAE.
When you select this option for Recertification, you're making a commitment to complete the SAE by May 15th, after Recert enrollment is over. Here's how it works:
Participants in the Primary Care SAE must submit their answers through either the online answer method or the paper answer sheet method. You must receive a minimum score of 70% or more in order to meet the annual Recertification Program requirement.
Passing CPNPs are awarded 15 contact hours (NAPNAP) for successful completion of the Primary Care SAE. Three of the 15 contact hours are pharmacology CE. A certificate of continuing education is provided along with an Item Performance Report (IPR) and answer/critique information after scoring.
Participants who fail to achieve a passing SAE score (70%) will be given an additional opportunity to successfully complete their SAE option with a free online retest. Detailed information will be provided to those who need to retest.
Please note that Acute Care CPNPs may choose a Primary Care or Pharmacology SAE as one of their SAE requirements in a seven-year cycle. Dually certified CPNPs (those who hold both Acute Care and Primary Care certifications) must complete 1 Primary Care, 1 Pharmacology, and 2 Acute Care SAEs. Primary Care CPNPs are required to complete 2 Primary Care SAEs and 1 Pharmacology SAE in each of their seven-year cycles.
We offer an SAE Updates web page to address issues concerning test items. You can visit this webpage to see if your question is discussed there. If not, please email us at sae@pncb.org for assistance.
Item writers and Test Committee members are volunteers of the PNCB. There are no conflicts of interest to report. Conflict of Interest forms for SAE contributors can be accessed through the PNCB offices. List of current SAE contributors.
Returning users log in here:
PNCB-certified nursing professionals work in a variety of roles and settings all over the United States and beyond.
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