Are you an RNC-NIC or NNP-BC looking for certification maintenance?
If so, you already know that the Continuing Competency Initiative of the National Certification Corporation (NCC) is underway. If you are an RNC-NIC or NNP-BC and need to meet your certification maintenance requirements through the NCC, this reference will assist you.
This information is intended to help you quantify certification maintenance requirements that you obtain through NANN's educational programming and elsewhere. The best, most current information about the requirements, services, and process, including a complete instructional brochure, can be found at the NCC website.
NANN can help you meet certification requirements.
Hours of continuing nursing education (CNE) in your certification specialty are obtained through accredited providers such as NANN. Complete the NCC Specialty Assessment online and receive a report on growth areas by competency. It is free and confidential, and it provides immediate feedback. Please remember that it is not a pass/fail test. This assessment will help you focus on your greatest education needs and maintain your certification.
Remember, no CNE earned can be applied toward NCC certification maintenance until specialty assessment has been completed for your current maintenance cycle and you have a plan that outlines your CE needs.
If you are a neonatal intensive care nurse, there are four core competency areas:
- General Assessment (Code 1)
- Physiology and Pathophysiology (Code 2)
- Pharmacology (Code 3)
- Professional Practice (Code 4)
If you are a neonatal nurse practitioner, there are five core competency areas:
- Physical Assessment (Code 1)
- Physiology and Pathophysiology (Code 2)
- General Management (Code 3)
- Pharmacology (Code 4)
- Professional Practice (Code 5)
NANN's CNE activities are now labeled by competency or code. The NCC website offers a description and keywords for each competency area that you can use to compare to the content delivered.
Competency Area Descriptions
Neonatal Intensive Care Nurse (RN)
The following is a list of neonatal intensive care nurse competencies.
General Assessment (Code 1)
- Physical and Gestational Age Assessment
- Maternal Factors Affecting Neonatal Outcomes
- Risk Assessment
- Thermoregulation
- Fluids and Electrolytes
- Nutrition and Feeding
- Oxygenation and Acid Homeostasis
- Developmental Care
Physiology and Pathophysiology (Code 2)
- All Body Systems
- Genetics
- Discharge Planning and Follow-Up
- Grieving Process and Family Integration
Pharmacology (Code 3)
- Drug Therapies
- Pharmacologic Principles
Professional Practice (Code 4)
- Professional Practice
- Patient Safety
- Ethical Principles and Theories
- Legal Issues Affecting Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
- Professional Practice Standards
- Research
Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP)
The following is a list of neonatal nurse practitioner competencies.
Physical Assessment (Code 1)
- Maternal Factors Affecting the Newborn
- Physical Examination
- Diagnostic Procedures and Laboratory Evaluation
- Gestational Age Assessment
Physiology and Pathophysiology (Code 2)
- All Body Systems
- Genetics
- Intrauterine Drug Exposure
General Management (Code 3)
- Developmental Care
- Fluids and Electrolytes
- Nutrition
- Thermoregulation
- Resuscitation
- Family Integration
Pharmacology (Code 4)
- Drug Therapies
- Pharmacokinetic Principles
Professional Practice (Code 5)
- Patient Safety
- Ethical Principles and Theories
- Legal Issues Affecting Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing
- Professional Practice Standards
- Research