Alternative Options for Meeting Recertification Continuing Competency Requirements
Continuing Competency Hour Requirements:
Continuing competency is an ongoing, life-long process that includes self-assessment and self-reflection which facilitates self-awareness, self-development and reflective practice. AHNCC believes that our certificants are committed to integrate and apply their knowledge, skills, judgement, and expertise, using attitudes, values, and beliefs required to practice safely, effectively, and ethically in their designated role, patient population and/or setting. The Holistic Nurse or Nurse Coach certificant is also expected to understand, respect, and honor different cultural views, values, beliefs, and behaviors of those they serve. Recertification requirements are required to ensure that certificants are in compliance with AHNCC’s continuing competency viewpoint.
The continuing competency criterion for renewal of your AHNCC certification is the equivalent of 100 education hours in your specialty (i.e. holistic nursing or nurse coaching) and related disciplines. Contact hours must have been acquired from the date of your last certification to the date for renewal and submission of your recertification application. Continuing competency means that you have completed learning experiences that result in updating and expanding your knowledge, and skills in your specialty. Therefore, credit is given for appropriate continued education courses and alternative and equivalent activities such as publishing, presentations at conferences, and academic courses in your specialty. Specific information follows:
All continuing competency hours submitted must build your knowledge, skills, attitudes and expertise in holistic nursing, holistic health, or nurse coaching related content. Contact hours may address holistic integrative nursing, theories, theorists or major concepts such as spirituality, intention, holistic self-care, sacred space or presence that are relevant to your practice. They can also be related to holistic, integrative modalities, methods of practice, communication skills, relationship-based patient-centered care, and studies that facilitate self-care, growth, and transformation within a holistic context. For individuals certified in nurse coaching, content focused on the skills, attitudes, and knowledge related to the role of nurse coaching can also be submitted.
Medical focused courses will not be accepted unless you can explain how they relate to your practice. Courses that are considered basic nursing preparation and courses for lay people are not accepted.
Specific written documentation must be provided if audited.
If you have questions about whether or not a course or activity will be accepted for continuing competency credit, please contact us at info@ahncc.org.
| Activity | Description (Equivalent Continuing Competency Hour(ECCH) for Recertification Only) | Documentation |
|---|---|---|
| Accredited Contact Hours | Contact hours are earned though participation in accredited educational programs. These may be lectures, seminars, presentations, and online education, and journal activities that award CEs. For a conference with multiple sessions, each session must be identified individually. 60 minutes = 1 contact hour (CE) | Certificate of attendance or completion. |
| Academic Courses | Academic credit is completed through an accredited higher education institution. A grade of “C” or higher or a grade of “pass” in a pass/fail system must be achieved. 1 quarter credit = 10 contact hours 1 semester credit = 15 contact hours | Course transcript indicating successful completion |
| Employer in-services or other programs, courses, workshops not offering official CE credits. | Presentation must be 60 minutes or longer. 60 minutes = 1 Equivalent Continuing Competency Hour(ECCH). Specific in‐service can be used only once in the five‐year period, but may be used for both Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching recertification. | Documentation of title, presenter, date offered, and signed by organizational designee. |
| Presentations | This includes presentations related to holistic nursing, holism, and holistic health. The presentation must be at least 30 minutes in length and include learning objectives and references. Each hour of presentation is equivalent to 1 ECCH. Preparation time may be included with a maximum of 2 hours preparation time per hour of presentation. The same presentation may be used only once during the certification period. A total of 30 ECCH may be used in the five‐year period, but may be used for both Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching recertification. | Written documentation of content and verification of presentation. |
| Poster Presentation | Scholarly posters may be presented at conferences, educational settings, or health care facilities. A poster presentation is equal to 1 ECCH for the presentation and 2 ECCH for preparation. A specific poster may only be used once in the five‐year period, but may be used for both Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching recertification. | Written documentation of content and verification of presentation. |
| Curriculum Development | This includes development of academic courses related to holistic nursing or nurse coaching. 1 course = 10 ECCH. 30 ECCH may be used in the five‐year period for curriculum development. You may only use the same course once during the five‐year period, but a course can be used for both Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching recertification | Course syllabus including course description and objectives, and references with verification from academic institution is required. |
| Publications | Publications include journal articles, book chapters, and books. Journal article in peer‐reviewed publication, primary author= 20 ECCH per article; other authors= 10 ECCH. Article in non‐peer‐reviewed publication, primary author =10 ECCH; other authors = 5 ECCH. Book author, primary author = 20 ECCH; other authors= 10 ECCH. Book chapter, primary author = 15 ECCH; other authors= 10 ECCH. | Written documentation of published material required. |
| Designing Educational Materials | This includes developing professional educational handbooks or manuals used for patient or staff teaching related to holistic care = 20 ECCH. Institutional brochures or pamphlets = 10 ECCH. | Cover and table of contents for Handbook/Manual, and references used. Copy of brochure or pamphlet, or electronic copy is Required. |
| Research Projects/Studies | For research projects, Master’s theses, Doctoral dissertations, and DNP Projects focused on holistic, integrative nursing practice, the primary or secondary investigator shall submit theliterature review, IRB documentation etc. and evidence of dissemination of original works through presentation or publication. Master’s thesis = 50 ECCH DNP Project = 75 ECCH Doctoral dissertations = 100 ECCH Research Study with IRB Approval = 100 ECCH | Proof of Completion and published article, or presentation outline and proof of presentation. |
| Professional Committee Membership | Committee activity is directly related to holistic, integrative nursing. Committees must meet at least 3-4 times a year. Current membership in a national, state, or local holistic, integrative nursing organization such as AHNA = 1 ECCH per year. Leadership in a national holistic, integrative organization, such as board member = 5 ECCH per year. Active participation on a committee for a national holistic, integrative organization = 4 ECCH per year. Leadership in a state holistic integrative organization such as AHNA state chapter = 4 ECCH per year. Active participation on a committee for a state holistic integrative organization = 3 ECCH per year. Participation on a holistic committee within a healthcare institution = 4 ECCH per year. Professional committee participation not to exceed 20 ECCH in the five‐year period. | |
| Item Writing | Submission of test items for a holistic nursing or nurse coach exam as described in the Item‐Writers Handbook. 1 item = 1 ECCH A maximum of 15 ECCH may be earned in the five‐year period. | Items submitted to AHNCC via email or C‐NET |
| Item Writing or Review Session or Score Cutting Panel | Participation in a panel that writes or reviews test items or SME panel. One hour session = 1 ECCH | Verification of participation |
| Preceptor in Holistic Nursing | Precepting other nurses in integrative holistic nursing. A minimum of 20 hours per year of preceptorship is required = 5 ECCH. Maximum hours acquired per five‐year term = 15 ECCH. | Documentation showing preceptor relationship and verification signature from colleague. |
| Holistic/ Integrative Nursing Projects | Evidence‐informed holistic system level change projects that enhance health of the staff or consumers = 50 ECCH. | Literature review and summary of project. Evidence of implementation required. |
How to Calculate Contact Hours
For the purposes of re‐certification, one (1) hour of education time is equal to one contact hour equivalent. This is time spent in a lecture, seminar, or presentation. It does not include registration, introductions, and breaks.
For academic credit courses, one (1) quarter credit is equal to 10 contact hours. One (1) semester credit is equal to 15 contact hours.
