NBCRNA Blog Updated, More Answers!

September 8, 2011


When does the public comment period end?

The public comment period runs from September 6, 2011 to November 14, 2011.

According to the FAQ website, any individual that has been out of practice for longer than 12 months is ineligible for recertification. Can someone please clarify this statement?

The proposed CPC program indicates that individuals who are out of practice up to 12 consecutive months who do not meet the requirement of 425 hours a year can do 20 additional CE credits to maintain eligibility for recertification. An individual who is out of practice for more than 12 consecutive months will be ineligible for recertification. The NBCRNA understands that there are life circumstances like unemployment, illness, family commitments, etc. that force nurse anesthetists out of work for more than 12 consecutive months. According to the proposed program, to reenter practice within 90 days of lapsed of certification, nurse anesthetists would need to satisfy the eligibility criteria for recertification at the time of their application (including CE requirements and modules) and must pass the Recertification examination.

Have you considered an “either or” approach? For example either CRNAs can perform CEUs or avoid CEUs and take the recertification exam instead?

The NBCRNA is considering all feedback received during the comment period and will make adjustments to the program components as necessary. While we cannot indicate whether an “either or” approach will be implemented, we will consider the suggestion. It is important that the final program be acceptable to nurse anesthetists while meeting the increasing standards expected from all healthcare providers and accrediting bodies.

I’ve heard the NBCRNA held a survey regarding the recert issue. Is this true? If so when? Where was the survey? How were CRNAs informed about the survey? What were the results?

The Public Comment Period began September 6, 2011 with the new CPC specific website www.nbcrnacpc.com. The survey is available to all stakeholders from that site. The NBCRNA will collate data received from the survey (related to continuing competence and the proposed program components) to assist the Board in assembling the final program in January.

Will the NBCRNA reconsider the grandfather clause?

The NBCRNA is considering all feedback received during the comment period. The current CPC program components as proposed are in draft form. The Board will consider any suggestion related to the program at this time.

If I pass boards in 2012 or early 2013, in what year would I have to take the recertification exam? Also the 4 core competencies…do I complete those online and submit the module when I’m finished or how exactly will those be completed every 4 years? Thanks.

If you are initially certified in 2013, your exam deadline will be 2023. You will recertify again in 2015 on the current two year cycle. Based on the proposed program, you would then recertify again in 2019 and be required to pass the exam by 2023. But the current program is proposed and not final. The four-year recertification cycle, exam requirement, and eight-year exam cycle are all up for comment and could be modified in January. The core competency modules, also proposed, have not been developed at this time and therefore we do not know specifics. The NBCRNA is open to suggestions regarding the modules.

I have sent three emails to the NBCRNA regarding the new proposal for recertification proposal. These emails give my opinion and new ideas that should be considered. I have been asking for feedback and personal comments on what I have suggested. There has been no personal response. All I get is a form email directing me to the NBCRNA website. This tells me that you are not considering my comments at all.

Since the proposed CPC program was announced on August 6, 2011 the NBCRNA has received over 1,000 emails, 200 questions via the CPC blog, and 900 phone calls all related to the CPC program. While we value and appreciate the time nurse anesthetists are taking to express comments and questions regarding the program, it is not possible for the NBCRNA Board and staff to provide personal responses regarding every comment received. Since many of the questions and comments are shared by many nurse anesthetists, we are using the blog to publicly answer commonly held questions, rather than attempting to answer each question received. We can assure you that we are reading every comment and are considering everything before the final program components are created.

Are the competency modules another exam that will take place in a standardized testing facility?

No. The proposed competency modules have not been developed but the NBCRNA does not intend them to be an exam and they will not take place in a testing facility. Nurse anesthetists will be able to complete the modules online, from home or work. The preliminary discussion regarding the modules indicates that there will be four modules, one for each of the four core competencies. Nurse anesthetists will need to read approximately 3 articles related to the competency and answer a few questions in response to those articles. The modules are intended to keep nurse anesthetists abreast of current literature related to practice.

Will the four core modules count for CE credit?

The CPC program as proposed does not include the modules for CE credit. The recommendation to include the mandatory modules as part of the CE requirement will be considered by the NBCRNA Board of Directors in January as the program is reevaluated for modifications.

If you are really separate entities than why is it ok to give paying AANA members huge discounts for recertification.

AANA members do not receive a discount for recertification. The $100 application fee applies to every nurse anesthetist applying for recertification regardless of their membership status with the AANA. While a pricing structure has not been established for the proposed CPC program, the NBCRNA intends to remain competitive with other advanced nursing credentialing boards, while maintaining consistency in pricing for members

Why is there an anesthesiologist on the NBCRNA Board while there is no CRNA on the ABA Board?

The anesthesiologist on the NBCRNA Board of Directors, along with the nurse anesthetist members, shares our common interest in promoting patient health and safety through credentialing programs. The anesthesiologist brings to the Board educational and certification experiences that are somewhat different than those of a nurse anesthetist allowing the NBCRNA a deeper insight into issues.

What does end of activity assessment for continuing education (CE) credit mean?

The exact context of an “end of activity assessment” for proposed 15 annual continuing education credits has not been specified by the NBCRNA Board at this time. Assessments will likely include any graded evaluation of content learned in the credit session. The NBCRNA will evaluate all forms of demonstrated learning to include under the “assessment” umbrella. This may include multiple choice questions, simulation based evaluations, or other suggestions.