APPENDIX A. Certification of Perianesthesia Nurses: The CPAN® and CAPA® Certification Programs
Bonnie Niebuhr
Please note: For the most up-to-date information about the Certified Post Anesthesia Nurse (CPAN®) and the Certified Ambulatory Perianesthesia Nurse (CAPA®) certification programs, contact the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC) directly at 800-6ABPANC, e-mail abpanc@proexam.org, or visit the website at www.cpancapa.org.
I. SPONSORSHIP OF CPAN®/CAPA® CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
A. ABPANC, a not-for-profit corporation established in 1985, is responsible for providing the CPAN® and CAPA® certification programs for registered nurses caring for perianesthesia patients.
B. ABPANC’s vision: “Recognizing and respecting the unequaled excellence in the mark of the CPAN® and CAPA® credential perianesthesia nurses will seek it, managers will require it, employers will support it and the public will demand it.”
C. ABPANC’s activities are focused on achieving its mission: “To assure a certification process for perianesthesia nurses that validates knowledge gained through professional education and experience, ultimately promoting quality patient care.”
D. ABPANC’s mission is driven by its commitment to:
1. Professional practice
2. Advocating the value of certification to health care decision-makers and the public
3. Administration of valid, reliable, and fair certification programs
4. Ongoing collaboration with
a. The American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN)
b. Other specialty organizations
c. Key stakeholder groups
5. Evolving psychometric and technological advances in testing
E. ABPANC contracts with a nationally recognized testing company, Professional Examination Service, (PES) to assist in the development of each examination.
1. In April 2009, ABPANC launched computer-based testing (CBT) at Prometric test centers.
2. Candidates have access and the ability to test at testing centers nationwide (including Army Post Office [APO sites]) within the Prometric network of test sites.
I.I NATIONAL ACCREDITATION OF THE CPAN® AND CAPA® CERTIFICATION PROGRAMS
A. Both the CPAN® and CAPA® certification programs are accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)
1. Accreditation status is granted for a period of 5 years.
2. Accreditation status must be renewed at the end of the 5-year term.
B. ABNS
1. The standard setting body for specialty nursing certification programs
2. Offers a very stringent and comprehensive accreditation process
3. ABPANC has demonstrated compliance with the 18 ABNS standards of quality.
C. ABNS accreditation means that:
1. CPAN® and CAPA® credentials are based on a valid and reliable testing process.
2. Structures are in place to administer the examinations meet and even exceed the standards of the certification industry from a legal, regulatory, and association management perspective.
D. More and more employers recognize and reward specialty nursing certification if the certification programs are accredited.
III. CERTIFICATION OF PERIANESTHESIA NURSES
A. ABPANC offered the CPAN® certification examination for the first time in 1986.
1. Given the changing health care environment and the emerging trend of outpatient surgery, ABPANC began to investigate the need for a separate certification examination related to ambulatory nursing in 1991.
2. The first CAPA® examination related to this emerging specialty area was given in 1994.
B. Achieving and maintaining CPAN® and/or CAPA® certification:
1. Reflects a commitment to patients and their loved ones, colleagues, and the profession of nursing
2. Strengthens one’s sense of personal and professional pride
3. Validates specialized knowledge and experience, promoting quality patient care
4. Demonstrates a commitment to life-long learning
5. Keeps one up to date on the latest developments in the specialty
6. Gives a competitive edge in an unstable job market
7. Provides flexibility and recognition when moving anywhere in the United States
8. Viewed as a leader, mentor, and role model in perianesthesia nursing
9. May result in a higher salary
IV. DEFINITION OF CERTIFICATION
A. As defined by ABNS: “Certification is the formal recognition of the specialized knowledge, skills, and experience demonstrated by the achievement of standards identified by a nursing specialty to promote optimal health outcomes.”
B. State licensure provides the legal authority for an individual to practice professional nursing.
C. Private voluntary certification, as sponsored by ABPANC, reflects achievement of a standard beyond licensure for specialty nursing practice.
D. Achievement of CPAN® and/or CAPA® certification status is indicative of the knowledge and experience necessary to practice in perianesthesia nursing.
V. CPAN® AND CAPA® CERTIFICATION CREDENTIALS
A. Granted to qualified registered nurses by ABPANC, are federally registered certification marks.
B. Registered nurses who have not achieved certification status, or whose certification status has lapsed, are not legally authorized to use these credentials.
VI. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
A. The National Council Licensure Examination is the basis for determining RN licensure.
1. An unrestricted license means that an RN license, issued by a state board of nursing, must not have any provisions or conditions that would limit the nurse’s practice in any way.
B. Candidates applying for initial CPAN® or CAPA® certification must have a minimum of 1800 hours of direct perianesthesia clinical experience as a registered nurse during the past 2 years before application.
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1. When seeking initial certification, candidates must:
a. Have direct experience caring for perianesthesia patients.
b. Participate actively in the individual patient experience.
2. One does not need to be technically employed in a direct care position.
a. If one’s role (e.g., educator, manager, clinical nurse specialist) involves bedside interaction with the patient and/or family in some capacity, those hours would count toward meeting the experience requirement.
3. The ABPANC Board of Directors believes that nursing is both an art and a science, and in order to translate nursing knowledge and judgment into practice, one needs to have practiced direct, hands-on care before being CPAN® and/or CAPA® certified.
4. The CPAN® and CAPA® credentials are an affirmation of ABPANC’s commitment to quality nursing care and patient safety.
a. ABPANC is committed to ensuring that patients receive care from CPAN® and CAPA® certified nurses.
b. Certification reflects current and the most up-to-date knowledge and experience.
c. For those seeking certification for the first time, requiring that they have direct experience adds credibility to the certification process.
5. Candidates who are unsure whether their role would meet the clinical practice experience requirement should contact ABPANC for clarification at abpanc@proexam.org.
6. CPAN® and CAPA® certified nurses applying to sit for an examination for recertification purposes must have a minimum of 1200 clinical practice hours within the past 3 years
a. Hours may be earned in the roles of staff nurse, manager, educator, or researcher in the perianesthesia specialty.
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