CHPN Exam

As of 2010, holders of a CHPN (Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse) certificate may renew their certificates in two ways. The first way is to successfully pass the computer-based examination in March, June, September, or November of the year in which their certificate expires. The second way is to complete the alternative method of renewal, which is to accumulate points through a variety of professional development activities.

For those interested in taking the computer-based examination, the following information will be helpful.

The Certification Examination for Hospice and Palliative Nurses is made up of 150 multiple-choice questions, 135 of which are scored and 15 of which comprise a non-scored pre-test. Each CHPN exam question has four response alternatives (A, B, C, and D), one of which represents the correct answer. For a candidate to be awarded the CHPN credential, he or she must complete the CHPN exam within three hours and achieve a passing score.

The examination is prepared by the NBCHPN (National Board for Certification of Hospice and Palliative Nurses). Individuals who have expertise in hospice and palliative care write the questions and evaluate them on the basis of relevance, consistency, accuracy, and appropriateness.

Before the test application deadline, the candidate for CHPN certification must hold a current, unrestricted registered nurse license in the United States, its territories, or the equivalent Canadian license. In addition, the NBCHPN recommends (but does not require) at least two years of experience in hospice and palliative nursing practice. The reason for this is that the examination questions are based on what a nurse normally learns during two years of practice in end-of-life care. Therefore, persons with less than two years' experience may have difficulty passing the examination. However, recognizing that individuals learn at different rates and through different methods, the NBCHPN will allow any licensed registered nurse who considers himself or herself to be ready to take the examination.

The content of the CHPN exam is based on the activities performed by hospice and palliative nurses involved in end-of-life care. CHPN exam candidates should be prepared for the following types of questions:

• Recall: About 30 percent of the questions require that the candidate recall or recognize specific information.
• Application: About 50 percent of the questions require the ability to understand, relate, or apply knowledge to new or changing situations.
• Analysis: About 20 percent of the questions require the ability to analyze and synthesize information, determine solutions, or evaluate the effectiveness of a solution.

As your test day approaches, make sure that you have had plenty of time to study. Review a CHPN exam study guide or study using CHPN exam flashcards so that you strengthen any areas that might be more difficult for you on the test. You'll have the rest of your life to enjoy being successful on the exam, but you can only spend time between now and your test day to get prepared. Study hard and maximize your chances of success.