Unashamedly, I am still in Cloud Nine after passing my most recent nursing certification in the field of informatics. I feel empowered to inspire others which in turn brings me pure unadulterated joy. I don’t mind sharing my preparation and test-taking strategies with colleagues or even complete strangers. Honestly, I feel that paying it forward is my way of doing homage to my mentors who helped me pass my own exam.

A nursing certification does not come cheap. Applying for one will cost a few hundred dollars. Some nurses pay it out of pocket, and that is great. But, did you ask yourself if maybe this is part of your workplace benefit? My job, thankfully, offers it and I took advantage in utilizing it.

By the way, here are the links to the podcast: https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/qW7PuBqdGwb and https://open.spotify.com/episode/1SmsdEYcm10BG0ERryZTL3?si=36d8fe9ade5345bd

Read on if you are curious how I was able to avail of it.

1. Research the organization that offers your desired certification.

I obtained each of my nursing certifications from two different organizations. My Certified Pediatric Nursing (CPN) is offered by the Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB). The newest nursing informatics certification (RN-BC), on the other hand, is granted by the American Nursing Credentialing Center (ANCC).

The cool thing about ANCC is their program called Success Pays. Success Pays, in the words of ANCC

reduces nurses’ anxiety and removes financial barriers.

How? The nurse applies for any ANCC nursing certification exam without paying upfront using an organization-specific code. Upon passing the exam, ANCC issues the invoice to the employer. It also offers a free retest without any additional costs. This is of course contingent on the fact that your organization participates in the Success Pays program.

 

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2. Talk to your Human Resources Department about Educational Benefits

Piggy-backing off the previous statement, ask your HR if you have educational benefits. Inquire about relevant information.

• How much is the annual educational benefit for full-time employees, part-time employees, etc.?
• How can you use it? For formal education (e.g. graduate school)? For certifications (e.g. RN-BC)? Continuing education to maintain or renew the nursing certification? For educational materials (e.g. books, review courses)?
• Does your employer participate in the Success Pays program?
• If not, how does the employee gets reimbursed for out-of-pocket educational expenses?
• What is the application process? Is there an approximate timeline from when the application is submitted to when it is approved?
• Did you need to discuss your educational plans with your immediate leader prior to applying for your test?
• Is there a separate vendor who provides educational benefits for your organization? How do you reach out to them if needed?

3. Contacting your Educational Benefit Vendor

If your organization is associated with an external educational benefit vendor, contact them. Bright Horizons is our employer’s vendor. I have spoken with their agents numerous times. They were instrumental in many educational decisions I have made especially these last few years.

Particularly concerning this latest nursing certification exam, I asked them if our organization participates in the Success Pays program. I remember that process to be long and tedious. You see, our healthcare system merged about five years ago. One part of it based in one state has the Success Pays program. The other, in a different state, does not. I had to present my case that since we are considered as one organization, is it possible to be considered a beneficiary of the Success Pays program? I sent out an email that reached the desk of the Vice President. Long story short, I was able to enjoy that benefit.

While communicating with the educational vendor, I also asked them about the application process. Should I apply for the test with the credentialing center first? Or do I need to apply for my educational benefit within the organization?

4. Applying for the Nursing Certification: The Process

Putting it all together, these were the steps I did:

1. First, I reviewed if I met the requirements to sit for the exam.
2. Having finally decided to take the test, I discussed it with my manager.
3. I filled up an application with my educational benefit vendor. If you are an Advocatehealth team member like me, click here. I specified that I was using the Success Pays program.
4. My manager approved my application.
5. Bright Horizons reviewed my application. After a week or so, they emailed me the unique organization code that I used for my ANCC application
6. I created an account with ANCC and filled up an application. While ANCC doesn’t ask for proof for continuing education (CE) units, the applicant has to enter the CE topics and their respective number of credits. The RN-BC certification requires 30 CEUs. Fortunately, my academic credits qualified as CEUs. A three-credit hour course is equivalent to 15 CEUs.
7. ANCC accepts unofficial transcripts but will require the official one to finally confer the credential upon successful passing of the exam.
8. It took a while for ANCC to get back to me with my Authorization to Test (ATT). That period ranges between 3-5 weeks. I got my ATT after 4 weeks.
9. After receiving the ATT, I scheduled my test at a Prometric center. Applicants may also opt to test at home with a live proctor.
10. I reviewed the test content outline so I knew what to review and focus on.
11. Only heaven knows how many times I tried taking this sample test, but I kept on trying and trying despite initially getting dismal scores.
12. I studied a minimum of an hour a day. I read if I felt like it. If not, I listened to my narrated PowerPoint slides. Sharing with you here my preparation and test-taking strategies.
13. I planned how my test day will go several weeks before the exam date. I also researched my test location and necessary logistics.
14. Most importantly, I made sure that I was physically and spiritually nourished before going to my testing center.
15. Finally, once I received my test result, I uploaded the necessary supporting documentation to my Bright Horizons application.

My Evaluation of the Nursing Certification Experience

I am very fortunate to belong to an organization that supports professional growth among its team members. I am highly motivated to pursue other educational goals because of this benefit. The process may require a little work on the applicant’s part, but hopefully, my input will make it a bit easier for others who may be following in my footsteps in obtaining a similar nursing certification. By the way, Success Pays is not only for Nursing Informatics RN-BC but for the certifications offered by the ANCC.

Hopefully, you find this article helpful as you prepare for your own certification journey. Good luck!