Considering CPAN or CAPA National Certification? You can do it!

(from Amy Levesque RN BSN CPAN)

In 2020, the American Board of Perianesthesia Nursing Certification (ABPANC) launched an exciting new website which provides a seamless platform experience for nurses who want to pursue CPAN and/or CAPA certification. It is user-friendly and comes with a host of new features and resources aimed at guiding and supporting nurses through the certification examination process. The biggest and most exciting update is ABPANC’s single sign on feature which allows for a one-stop shopping experience. Candidates can now register, pay, select a testing date and site, and even reschedule an exam if needed, all in one location.  

Whether you are a new or experienced perianesthesia nurse, there is always room for professional growth. Consider pursuing certification as a means to round out an orientation experience, refresh your practice, or deepen your professional commitment. Regardless of your reason for pursuing certification, you will experience the professional accomplishment and pride that comes with earning a specialty certification.

Not sure what exam to take or where to start? ABPANC’s website offers a simple quiz designed to guide nurses towards the certification most appropriate for their practice area. Nurses can click the “Start Here” button to access the quiz. Once nurses have determined which exam to take, a thorough reading of the Candidate Certification Handbook is strongly advised.  

Need help getting organized? Go to the Exam Prep page to review the list of ABPANC approved study references, the CPAN and CAPA test blueprint content, and download the free 12 week study guide PDF. The study guide is a great way to get organized and keep track of your study progress.  

Can’t decide how to invest your study time? Certification is a validation of your perianesthesia knowledge. Rather than delving into study materials right away, take stock of what you know and uncover opportunities for improvement by taking practice exams. ABPANC regularly receives feedback from test candidates that the best way to prepare is to take the exam.

ABPANC posts (free of charge) a weekly CPAN and CAPA question on Wednesdays at 6:00 am ET and posts the answer the following Wednesday. Anyone who finds these questions helpful, can also access practice exams for a fee.

ABPANC is offering 4 new practice exams (200 questions) for $100. These exams are administered in partnership with PSI and G-METRIX. Also new, candidates can use these exams in two modes. Training Mode provides immediate answers and allows for review, while Course Mode acts like a real exam session and provides a score and 16 contact hours certificate at completion.

ABPANC study flashcards coming soon!

What kind of support does ABPANC’s offer? ABPANC’s Board of Directors recognize that nurses may experience challenges with regards to sitting for a specialty certification exam. To mitigate barriers, ABPANC makes available:

• ABPANC Certification Coaches are volunteer certified nurses who assist non-certified nurses to become certified. Coaching is provided in a low stress context and at no cost to the candidate. To connect with a coach email abpanc@cpancapa.org.
• ABPANC Free Webinars cover test taking strategies (20 minutes duration) and tips to identify and overcome test anxiety and fear of failure (30 minutes duration). The latter is also available in a 16 page PDF for use as a study aid.
• ABPANC’s Test Assured! Program allows exam candidates who purchase Test Assured! ($50) to retake the exam within a 12 month period at no additional cost if they are unsuccessful on the first try. Candidates must pay the non-refundable $50 fee when registering for the initial exam, however.
• ABPANC offers LIVE Remote Exam Proctoring – take the exam from the comfort and safety of your home. No need to drive to a testing site unless that is your preference.
• ABPANC Certification & Re-Certification Scholarships are available in limited numbers each year for those perianesthesia nurses meeting eligibility criteria and whose employers do not provide monetary support for certification.
• ABPANC added a Hardship Policy in 2021. This policy helps support already certified nurses, in good standing, who are facing financial hardship which would impact their ability to pay full re-certification fees. For more information see the FAQ page of their website.

Want to celebrate your certification success? ABPANC created an online shop in 2021. Find a selection of CPAN/CAPA certification items to display those hard won credentials.  

Amy Levesque, RN, BSN, CPAN lives in Maine and serves as an ABPANC Certification Coach for ASPAN Region 4.