Preparing for the Clinical Nurse LeaderSM (CNL®)

Certification Exam

February 22, 2018

Shantal Hall – DirectorCommission on Nurse Certification

Cyndy King, PhD, NP, MSN, RN, CNL, FAANPrincipal and Consultant

Special Consultants

ObjectivesParticipants of this presentation will:

➢Learn strategies to prepare for the CNL Certification Exam

➢Explore components of available certification preparatory review resources

➢Understand how the certification exam is updated

➢Discuss how others are preparing for the exam

Exam Application Process

Shantal HallDirector

Commission on Nurse Certification

Commission on Nurse Certification

➢Autonomous certifying arm of AACN

➢Manage the CNL Certification Program

➢Governed by the CNC Board of Commissioners

➢Staff:▪ Shantal Hall – shall@aacnnursing.org ▪ Nuria Gramkee – ngramkee@aacnnursing.org

➢Committees

➢Contracted Testing Vendor

CNL Certification Facts

6,199 Number of nurses who

have earned the CNL since 2006

1,069 California has the highest

number of Active certified CNLs

73% Pass rate for 1st timers

in 2017

http://www.aacnnursing.org/cnl-certification

More Facts…

• Over 100 eligible institutions registered to serve as exam sites

• Almost 100 schools offer CNL education program

Over 1,000 exam applicants annually

Accredited by

More Facts…

Northeast - 905

South - 2002

Midwest - 1657

West - 1614

Other - 21

Nurses who have Earned the CNL since 2006 Total = 6199

Of which a total of 5,429 are Currently Active

More Facts…

2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017

83379

679978

1390

1908

2508

3152

3834

4501

5069

6199Total Number of Nurses who are CNL certified

More Facts…

Model A: Master’s degree program designed for BSN graduates

Model B: Master’s degree program for BSN graduates that includes a post-BSN residency that

awards master’s credit

Model C: Master’s degree program designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree in

another discipline

Model D: Master’s degree program designed for ADN graduates (RN-MSN)

Model E: Post-master’s certificate program designed for individuals with a master’s degree in

nursing in another area of study

Earned CNL per Program Model as Provided by the Program Director since 2010

Model A = 2093

Model B = 29

Model C = 3087

Model D = 266

Model E = 40

What is Certification?

Identifies you as having the essential

knowledge and skills to be a change agent.

Recognizes you as the link to improved:➢Cost benefits

➢Care coordination

➢Outcomes

➢Quality of care

➢…and so much more!

Why Certification?

➢ Committed to lifelong learning

➢ Prepared to manage in complex systems

➢ Committed to practice

➢Magnet designation

➢National Database of National Quality Indicators

Survey

➢ Clinical ladder advancement

➢ Increased marketability

Certification demonstrates competency!

Are You Eligible?

RN Licensure

▪ Students may test prior to NCLEX; certification granted following proof of RN licensure

Graduation from a CNL Master’s or Post-Master’s Education Program

▪ Students may test in their last term

Faculty of Existing CNL Education Programs

▪ Faculty eligibility waiver expires December 31, 2018

CNL Certification Exam

➢140 items (120 items scored)

➢Three-hour time limit

➢Immediate exam results

➢One exam sitting

➢Multiple choice with unfolding case studies

➢Optional use of testing centers

➢Programs receive aggregate reports

Exam Development

➢CNL Job Analysis Study 2011 and 2016

➢Exam Content OutlineReleased and used duringSpring 2017 and on

➢Cut Score Study

➢Various Exam Forms

Application ProcessNOTE: Steps 3 and 4 are not applicable if using a testing center provided by CNC’s testing agency.

Step1• Candidate completes Online Application and

submits payment

Step 2

• Program Director submits online CNL Education Documentation Form

Step 3

• Candidate confirms exam date, time, and location with CNL faculty contact

Step 4• School confirms exam date with CNC

http://www.aacnnursing.org/CNL-Certification/Apply-for-the-Exam

Exam Registration Dates & Fees

NOTE: Fees are subject to change at any time.

Test Period Registration Deadline

Spring: April 23 – May 18, 2018 March 16, 2018

Summer: July 16 – August 10, 2018 June 8, 2018

http://www.aacnnursing.org/CNL-Certification/Apply-for-the-Exam/Exam-Date-and-Fees

Initial Application Fee AmountAt School $350

Testing Center $425

Re-Testing Fee AmountAt School $250

Testing Center $325

Exam Resource Materials▪ CNL Certification Guide

▪ CNL Job Analysis and Exam Content Outline

▪ Self Assessment Exam

▪ Personal Action Plan

▪ Multiple Choice Tutorial

▪ AACN’s Competencies and Curricular Expectations for Clinical Nurse LeaderSM

Education and Practice

▪ Recommended Reading List

▪ AACN’s CNL Certification Exam Review Course

http://www.aacnnursing.org/CNL-Certification/Prepare-for-the-Exam

Exam Content Outline

http://www.aacnnursing.org/CNL-Certification/Prepare-for-the-Exam

Domains and Subdomains Weight (%)

I. Nursing Leadership 32%

A. Horizontal Leadership

B. Healthcare Advocacy

C. Implementation of the CNL Role

D. Lateral Integration of Care Services

E. Patient Assessment

F. Ethics

NEW Exam Content Outline

Domains and Subdomains Weight (%)

II. Clinical Outcomes Management 23%

A. Illness/Disease Management

B. Health Promotion and Disease

Prevention & Injury Reduction/

Prevention Management

C. Healthcare Policy

NEW Exam Content Outline

Domains and Subdomains Weight (%)

III. Care Environment Management 45%

A. Knowledge Management

B. Healthcare Systems/Organizations

C. Interprofessional Communication and

Collaboration Skills

D. Team Coordination

E. Quality Improvement and Safety

F. Evidence-Based Practice

G. Healthcare Finance and Economics

H. Healthcare Informatics

AACN’s CNL Certification Exam Review Course

▪ Based upon CNL Certification Exam Content Outline - 12 modules/17 topics

▪ Developed by CNLs and academicians

▪ Includes: presentation, assessment, helpful documents (key terms, bibliography, etc.)

▪ Contact hours

▪ Purchase modules separately or complete course

http://www.aacnnursing.org/Clinical-Nurse-Leader/Review-Courses

Renewal

To maintain CNL certification, renewal is required once every five years.

RN Licensure50 Contact

Hours Professional

Practice

NOTE: Retesting is not required.

Current/ActiveSupport the CNL

(competencies)

Minimum 2,000 hours

(Employment with CNL

title is not required)

http://www.aacnnursing.org/CNL-Certification/Renew-Certification

The New CNL

➢Is ready for the challenge

➢Articulates knowledge, skillset, competence

➢Demonstrates Competencies

➢Publishes OutcomesParticipates in:

AACN/CNC Webinars

Conferences

CNL Networking

American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)

http://www.aacnnursing.org/

Commission on Nurse Certification (CNC)http://www.aacnnursing.org/cnl-certification

Clinical Nurse Leader Association (CNLA) http://www.cnlassociation.org/

Connect with CNC

https://www.facebook.com/CNCsCNL

https://twitter.com/CNLatAACN

https://www.youtube.com/user/clinicalnurseleader

CNC’s Online Community

Nurses Loungehttp://www.nurseslounge.com/lounges/profile

/16380/clinical-nurse-leader

Cynthia R. King, PhD, NP, MSN, RN, CNL, FAANPrincipal and Consultant

Special Consultants336-416-8668

Drcynthia.r.king@gmail.com

Strategies for How You and Others Can Prepare for the Examination

Where to Start

What do you want as resources for review?

• Check the AACN website as Shantal listed

• Your institution may have or will develop a review course

• Other CNL programs may have review courses you may attend or access online

• Contact colleagues you know who have passed the exam and are working as CNLs

What Type of Program Do You Need?

• What type of learner are you?

• Do you need 1 day? 5 days?

• Do you need didactic? Or Interactive? Both?

• Do you need basic test taking skills?

• What should be the outline? Or basis for review?

• How far in advance of actual certification date?

• Do you want to study alone or in a group? Or Both?

Additional Resoursce to AACN

Currently CNL Review book available:

Clinical Nurse Leader: Certification Review (2nd ed)

By Dr. King and Dr. Sally O’Toole Gerard (2016)

Springer Publisher ISBN 13: 978-0826137623

• Includes Chapters on: Test Taking and 1 for each section for AACN exam, Reflection questions, 200 multiple choice Q & A, and glossary

• Each chapter also has additional resources

• 1st ed. ISBN 13: 978-0826171177 has 200 different multiple choice Q & A

Additional Resoursce to AACN

Based on 2nd ed CNL Review Book (2016)

• CNL Q & A: Clinical Nurse LeaderTest Prep APP

1) Available for IOS and Android

• Includes: Additional 300 MC questions & 12 case studies with 5 MC questions each, e book topics, references, glossary terms and information about the exam.

• Key things to know:

1) You can download & try for free

2) Search for it by “CNL”

The APP

• App free to download

• Pay to unlock all questions

• Can create own quiz and choose subjects you want to quiz yourself on

• Can review all questions

Front Page

Additional Resoursce to AACN

Based on CNL Prep APP

• New flashcards available

• ISBN-13: 978-0826137036

• Includes: The 300 MC questions & 12 case studies with 5 MC questions each

• Can shuffle cards for random selection

• Color coded according to blueprint

• Use alone or with 2nd ed of CNL Review book

Additional Resoursce to AACN

Based on Continued Requests:

• New textbook currently being written

• Designed for CNLs & Other APN Nurse Leaders

• Approximately 26 chapters + Appendices

• Book will include:

1) Topics important for CNL certification

2) Other Leadership Topics

3) Keywords & Objectives for each chapter

One Strategy for How A Program Was Implemented

• 1 -2 full day 2 weeks prior to certification exam

• Informal, interactive with all students

• Covered Test Taking in beginning

• 2 Leaders chose sections from Exam Handbook to facilitate based on expertise/knowledge/ skills

• Topics from Exam Handbook reviewed about 30 min interactively

• Provided handouts and case studies

• No didactic

Some of My Recommendations• You know the material so only review – do not

reread all your course materials

• Use Exam Outline from CNC as guide for review (start with weakest areas 1st)

• Review test taking skills (multiple choice)

• Set up a review outline to work from

• Do practice questions on CNC website or CNL Review Book and REPEAT until understand answer

Some of My Recommendations

• Review AACN CNL Competencies over and over again

• Look at case studies and what CNL does vs. NP or CNS

• Do NOT review the day before exam. RELAX, Decrease Anxiety

• Day of exam, do not drink too much or eat too much

Thank You! Questions?

CONTACT

Exam Application:

▪ Shantal Hall at shall@aacnnursing.org

Exam Preparation:

▪ Cyndy King at Drcynthia.r.king@gmail.com