The PNCB wishes you all the best for 2009! We're very excited as this year marks the 20th anniversary of the CPN® exam. It's also the first year of offering the Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurse (CPEN™) exam.

This issue also shares the great things happening at Children's Mercy Hospitals & Clinics, answers to frequently asked Recert questions and more!

Here's a brief recap of 2008:

CPEN™ Beta Exam Launch. Nearly 200 RNs who took the CPEN™ beta/pilot test last fall earned this new credential. The PNCB and the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN®) congratulate each of these new CPENs™! Registration for this exam is open now and exam administration began January 21st. For more about this exam, visit our CPEN™ website or request free brochures from info@pncb.org.

More CPNs® Than Ever! A record 2,135 RNs earned CPN® certification in 2008... a 24% increase over 2007. Congratulations to each of you!

Culture of Certification Webpage Created. Share your best practices or learn from others with this new webpage dedicated to certification success stories.

Everyone from the PNCB wishes you all the best for the new year! If you have questions or comments at any time, please contact us at pncb@pncb.org so we can help.

Need quick access to answers about Recert?

Answers to our most commonly heard questions are listed below to guide you through the process.


Q: What contact hours can I use?

We try to keep this requirement flexible. Generally, if the CE you earn is applicable to pediatric nursing or professional growth and development, it counts. The source or provider of your CE is flexible as well. Remember that CE earned from a past PNCB SAE isn't applicable, but it can be used for employers and state boards. PALS and a few others have special rules. Get full details on contact hours.

Q: What contact hours did I use last year?

Log in at www.pncb.org and click My Order History, then click View under the "Details" column to see your previous Recert application.

Q: How many contact hours are in a CEU?

Calculate your contact hours with this chart.

Q: For the previous year's Recert, I used 10 hours from a conference that provided 20 hours. Can I apply the remaining 10 hours this year?

Definitely! As long as the contact hours were earned within the past 24 months of the date you recertify, you can divide them between Recert years however you'd like.

Q: How does the Self-Assessment Exercise work? When do I need to take it?

See our SAE webpage for a complete guide to the Self-Assessment process.

Q: What is the SAE online answer method?

Answering your SAE online provides immediate CE upon successful completion and it costs $10.00 less than the paper answer sheet method. You still receive a printed reference manual in the mail. See our fact sheet for details.

Q: I misplaced my SAE email instructions for the online answer method. How can I get them again?

Simply log in at www.pncb.org and click My Documents to access this information.

Q: Where am I in my 7-year Recert cycle?

We maintain a record of your past activities online for your convenience. Just log in at www.pncb.org and click My Recert History to access your information.

Q: How do I access my wallet card after I recertify?

Log in at www.pncb.org and click My Documents to save or print your new card. Your current card is always there for you.

Q: I click on my wallet card link but the file won't open. How can I access it?

The PDF file of your wallet card needs Adobe Reader to open. This free software is already installed on most computers or you can download it at no cost. If you cannot access your card or have difficulty printing yours, email website@pncb.org for prompt assistance during regular business hours.

Q: I don't see my question here. How can I get help?

Visit our CPN Recert FAQ webpage or email recert@pncb.org for prompt assistance. We'll be glad to help!

Support for Recertification
Salary Differentials
Recognition for CPNs®

The Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics of Kansas City serves as a role model for facilities across the nation because of the supportive environment it offers RNs. To see what sets this system apart from the crowd, read more.

Here is a handy list of special dates and events for 2009.

If you attend a conference below, be sure to visit the PNCB booth and say hello! If you're hosting events of your own, such as skills or certification fairs, email info@pncb.org for brochures, posters and other items to share.

February 1: Recertification Ends

March 19: Certified Nurses Day

April 3 - 5: The 2009 Society of Pediatric Nurses Conference (Atlanta)

May 6 - 12: National Nurses Week

May 6: National School Nurse Day

May 15: Self-Assessment Exercise (SAE) Answer Sheets due
If you participated in an SAE.

June 25 - 27: The 25th Annual Pediatric Nursing Conference (Orlando)

October 1 - 3: The 2009 Magnet Conference (Louisville)

October 1: Recertification Begins

October 9 - 15: National Pediatric Nursing Week

800 S. Frederick Ave., Suite 204
Gaithersburg, MD 20877-4152
1-888-641-2767
pncb@pncb.org

This quarterly newsletter contains information relevant to your PNCB certification. If you wish to stop receiving this newsletter, email pncb@pncb.org with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line.