The Path to Becoming a Certified Hospice & Palliative Nursing Assistant

 
Your interest in pursuing CNA certification is a huge step, and you may already have an idea that you want to offer nursing assistance to people within hospice care, or you may considering doing so. In most states, your certification as a nursing assistant will be ample to get you a starting position within this field; however, much like certification for nurse aides, there is a way to obtain certification as a hospice and palliative nursing assistant (CHPNA). The Hospice and Palliative Nursing Association, or HPNA offers this certification and can easily become an addition to your status as a certified nursing assistant.

Requirements for CHPNA Testing

Because of the prerequisites in place to qualify for testing, it is important for you to secure a place in the workforce that will allow you to gain experience in hospice or palliative care. You will need to work in a hospice care situation directly under the supervision of a registered nurse for a minimum of 2000 hours before you can apply for CHPNA testing. This experience is deemed necessary by the accrediting board, and without this practice, one may find that they experience difficulty passing the examination. Therefore, you will need to submit documentation that you have achieved these hours, as well as complete an application for testing. Fees average between $130 and $180 depending on whether or not you choose to become a member of the HPNA prior to testing. Testing locations are widely available, and most states boast sites within their major cities and highly populated metropolitan areas.

The Certified Hospice and Palliative Nursing Assistant Exam

The CHPNA examination consists of 110 multiple-choice questions that have been created by individuals with expertise within the field of hospice nursing, and you will have three hours to complete the test. These questions are relevant and appropriate to test your knowledge within the field. This type of examination is geared towards ensuring that your two years of experience has taught you all you should know to be successful in the field. Unlike your CNA training, there will be no practicum skills tested, only the written exam. One of the best parts about becoming a CHPNA is that you do not have to take any additional coursework in order to get your certification, as you will learn most of these tasks within your CNA training classes. If you are interested in seeing some of the types of questions that are on the exam, visit the HPNA website.

Why Get CHPNA Certified?

The benefits of certification are numerous, and as an individual pursuing CNA certification, you surely understand the reasoning behind employers showing a preference for hiring the best caregivers in the industry. Getting certified not only reassures employers that you will do a good job in caring for their patients, but the patients you care for have a sense of relief knowing that you are qualified. Naturally, you should receive a higher pay after certification, even if you stay working at the same facility where you earned your qualifying hours for testing. Your work in hospice can be rewarding in more than just a financial sense, as you will likely find your job to fulfill your intrinsic need to do something special with your life, and CHPNAs certainly fit that description.

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