Q: What is PCCN certification?
A: PCCN certification is a credential granted by AACN Certification Corporation that validates your knowledge of nursing care of acutely ill adult patients to hospital administrators, peers, patients and, most importantly, to yourself. PCCN certification promotes continuing excellence in progressive care nursing.
Q: What does PCCN stand for?
A: PCCN is a registered service mark of AACN Certification Corporation and denotes certification in adult progressive care nursing.
Progressive care is the term used by AACN to collectively describe areas in which acutely ill patients are cared for, such as intermediate care units, direct observation units, stepdown units, telemetry units, transitional care units and emergency departments, as well as to define a specific level of patient care. AACN recognizes progressive care as part of the continuum of critical care.
Q: Why a progressive care certification?
A: The acuity of patients admitted to hospitals has steadily increased and with it the demand for critical care beds. With the greater demand for and decreased availability of critical care beds, patients are often transferred from critical care units while still requiring an increased level of nursing care and vigilance. Also, patients who were formerly admitted to critical care units are now routinely admitted to progressive care units.
National practice analyses of progressive care nursing, most recently conducted in 2022, validated the progressive care environment, the patient populations served and the core competencies, basic knowledge and skills needed by progressive care nurses. Progressive care certification demonstrates that a nurse’s knowledge in this specialty area meets recognized standards of excellence.
Q: Why would I want to obtain PCCN certification?
A: PCCN certification helps you maintain up-to-date knowledge of the care of acutely ill adult patients. In addition to providing you with a sense of professional pride and achievement, PCCN certification reinforces the special knowledge and experience required for progressive care nursing. Research studies link higher levels of clinical knowledge, skill and experience with certification.
Q: What are the eligibility pathway options for PCCN certification?
A: The are two possible eligibility pathways for earning a PCCN credential.
- Direct Care Pathway – You provide direct care to acutely ill adult patients, regardless of their geographic location.
- Knowledge Professional Pathway – You apply knowledge in a way that influences the care delivered to acutely ill adult patients, but do not primarily or exclusively provide direct care.
Q: Who is eligible for PCCN certification via the Direct Care Pathway?
A: PCCN certification via the Direct Care Pathway is for nurses who provide direct care to acutely ill adult patients, in areas such as stepdown or telemetry, or in other units as appropriate (see list in the answer to the second question on this page). Final determination of eligibility is not based on unit type but on patient acuity, as patient placement varies by facility and bed availability.
Q: Should I take the PCCN exam or the CCRN exam?
A: This will depend on the acuity of the patients you care for in your practice. Progressive care encompasses care delivered to patients whose needs fall along the less acute end of the critical care continuum. Nursing care required is determined by patient needs rather than a geographic location. Refer to the PCCN or CCRN Exam flyer and the test plan for each exam to identify content areas tested and see how your practice aligns.
The items on each certification exam are based on the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care, with 80% focusing on Clinical Judgment and 20% focusing on Professional Caring and Ethical Practice. The PCCN Test Plan, found in the exam handbook for your eligibility pathway, provides a specific breakdown of content areas.
Q: Is the PCCN certification exam accredited?
A: The PCCN exam is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
Q: What does “board certified” mean? Are AACN certifications considered board certifications?
A: “Board certified” is a term primarily used by physician organizations. Only three of the 34 national nursing certifying organizations that are members of the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS) label their credentials/programs in this way. While an organization may use the term “board certified” when referring to their nursing certification programs, it does not reflect a different or higher level of certification.
“Board certified” in the nursing world simply refers to certification from a nationally accredited organization that is governed by a board of directors. As such, AACN certification programs are, indeed, “board certified.”
Q: How do I sign up for the PCCN exam?
A: You may apply online for PCCN certification. For information about the exam and/or a paper application, refer to the exam handbook for your eligibility pathway, which is available online or by requesting a copy from certcorp@aacn.org.
Q: When is the PCCN exam offered?
A: The PCCN exam is offered via computer-based testing year-round, Monday through Saturday, at more than 300 testing sites across the U.S.
Q: How soon after testing will I find out if I passed the PCCN exam?
A: Nurses who complete the exam via computer-based testing will receive their results and a score report immediately upon completion of the test. Those who complete the exam via paper and pencil testing will receive their results and score report by mail six to eight weeks after testing.
Q: If I do not pass the PCCN exam on the first attempt, what can I do?
A: You will want to refer to your PCCN exam score report to identify the topic areas where you have the most room for improvement. Candidates may take the PCCN exam up to four times in a 12-month period. A discounted retest fee is available to candidates who do not pass the exam and is available until the exam is passed.
Q: Once I pass the exam, how long is my PCCN certification effective?
A: PCCN certification is recognized for a three-year period.
Q: How do I renew my PCCN?
A: During your three-year certification period, you must maintain current, unencumbered RN or APRN licensure and complete the Renewal by Synergy CERPs program requirements or pass the PCCN exam. You must also meet the practice requirements for one of the two eligibility pathways: Direct Care or Knowledge Professional.
For details, refer to the renewal handbook for your particular eligibility pathway. You are encouraged to renew online.
Q: How are CERPs calculated?
A: Continuing Education Recognition Points (CERPs) are similar to contact hours or CEs. The Recognition Point system is used because credit is also awarded for activities that don’t strictly fall into the contact hour category, such as writing articles, serving on committees or being a mentor/preceptor.
One CE, CME or contact hour of class time is equal to one CERP. For example, a six-hour ACLS course (minus lunch and breaks) would be worth six CERPs.
Q: What are the different Renewal by Synergy CERPs categories?
A: Renewing PCCN candidates must complete a minimum of 100 CERPs during the three-year certification period in categories A, B and C. The following list of examples is not all-inclusive.
Category A (Clinical Judgment, Clinical Inquiry) examples include lab values, BLS, ACLS, PALS, NRP, ECG, IV therapy, heart failure, pharmacology, assessment, pathophysiology, technical skills/new equipment, statistics, clinical research, evidence-based practice, auditing, publishing, practice protocols, QI/QA, clinical aspects of bioterrorism, exam review courses.
Category B (Advocacy & Moral Agency, Caring Practices, Response to Diversity, Facilitation of Learning) examples include safety, legal or ethical issues, charting/documentation, reducing medication errors, public policy, HIPAA, the Joint Commission, patient support groups, cultural aspects of care, diversity, medical Spanish, therapeutic communication, psychosocial aspects of care, mental illness, geriatric care, spiritual considerations, addiction/recovery, violence/abuse, end-of-life care.
Category C (Collaboration, Systems Thinking) examples include communication skills, teamwork, healthy work environments, AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care, redesigning hospital care, disaster/emergency planning, developing policies or procedures, community resources, committees, leadership, management, risk management, AACN membership, case management.
For more information, refer to the Renewal by Synergy CERPs Brochure for your specific certification.
Q: Can I still maintain my PCCN credential if I take a break or retire from nursing?
A: If you are no longer eligible for active PCCN certification, you may be eligible for other status options such as Inactive, Alumnus or Retired.
Q: Do practice hours completed outside the U.S. count toward meeting the PCCN practice hour eligibility requirement?
A: Eligible practice hours for AACN Certification Corporation exams and certification renewal are those completed in U.S.- or Canada-based facilities or in facilities determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice as evidenced by Magnet Recognition Program® designation or Joint Commission International accreditation.