1. Updating the Acute Care CPNP® Exam
Important Information for Faculty, Students, and Exam Candidates
Job Practice Analysis

2. Acute Care CPNP Exam 2013-14 Job Practice Analysis
The purpose of the job practice analysis, or role delineation study (RDS), is to:
validate the inventory of the tasks and knowledge statements related to work performed by acute care PNPs;
ensure that the tasks and knowledge statements identified were congruent with the objective of certifying entry-level acute care PNPs; and,
develop test specifications for the Acute Care CPNP examination.

3. Acute Care CPNP Exam 2013-14 Job Practice Analysis
How and why a job practice analysis is conducted:
Typically uses a survey instrument to obtain descriptive information on demographics and role responsibilities every 3-5 years.
Required of all nursing certification boards by their accrediting agency.
Should identify tasks, knowledge, skills, or abilities deemed important to practice by PNPs with the goal of developing or updating an exam’s content outline.

4. The Acute Care CPNP Exam
SURVEY
SUMMARY
The Acute Care CPNP Exam
Job Practice Analysis
Steps Involved & Results “at a glance”

5. Steps Involved…
Over a period of several months, the following occurred:
Developed the survey instrument with subject matter experts (SMEs) from around the country
Pilot tested the instrument for clarity and comprehensiveness
Disseminated the survey
Analyzed survey data
Developed test specifications and the updated content outline from survey findings and SME input

6. Overall Results at a Glance…
A total of 319 responses were used for analysis.
The majority of respondents held the CPNP-AC credential, worked in a university medical center (which includes children’s hospitals), and held a Master’s degree
Survey participants responded to the following survey sections:
Section 1: Background & General Information
Section 2: Tasks
Section 3: Knowledge
Section 4: Technical Competencies
Section 5: Clinical Problems
Section 6: Recommendation for Exam Content
Section 7: Comments

7. Survey Responses: Comparing 2009 to 2013-14
Demographic Question
2009
Location of Practice Setting
Urban 86.2%
Suburban 11.0%
Rural 2.8%
Urban %
Suburban %
Rural 1.6%
Other <1.0%
Top Primary Practice Setting
University-affiliated medical center
Community Hospital
Other
University medical center (includes a children’s hospital)
Free-standing children’s hospital
Primary Focus of Practice
Critical Care
Emergency
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Pediatric ICU
Cardiac ICU
Cardiology

8. Results at a Glance… Tasks & Knowledge
Overall, 141 of 151 tasks & knowledge/skills, (92.86%) achieved high mean ratings for task and knowledge importance, thereby validating their importance to competent performance for Acute Care PNPs.

9. Results at a Glance… Tasks only
91 of the 98 task statements achieved high importance ratings.
The tasks with “borderline” performance ratings included:
As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including oral health status
Assess child’s and family’s knowledge and behavior and promote health regarding oral health
Assess child’s and family's knowledge and behavior and promote health regarding sexual behavior and practices
As part of diagnosing, determine health status specific to sexual/reproductive issues

10. Results at a Glance… Tasks only (cont.)
91 of the 98 task statements achieved high importance ratings.
The tasks with “failed” performance ratings include:
As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including school performance
As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including sexual behavior and practice
As part of assessment, identify and analyze factors that affect the child’s growth and development including socioeconomic status
A total of 95 task statements were approved for inclusion.

11. Results at a Glance… Knowledge only
50 of 53 knowledge statements achieved high importance ratings.
The knowledge/skills rated “borderline” were:
Complementary and alternative medicine
Disaster preparedness
Theories of education and learning
All 53 knowledge statements were approved for inclusion.

12. Results at a Glance… Technical Competencies
The study sought validation on a list of 65 possible inclusions of procedures, physiologic monitoring/support, or interpretation of diagnostic results performed in acute care.
16 specific technical competencies related to physiologic monitoring/support and interpretation of diagnostic results were added as an addendum to the new content outline.
The remaining 49 technical competencies related to procedures did not meet the threshold and were not included.
A total of 16 physiologic technical competencies were approved for inclusion.

13. The Acute Care CPNP Exam
OUTLINE OF CHANGES
The Acute Care CPNP Exam
Job Practice Analysis
Results “At a Glance”

14. How the 2013-14 Job Analysis Study Impacts the Exam
Topic
2009
Content Domains
Assessment & Diagnosis
Management
Professional Practice Role
Assessment
Diagnosis
Number of Items / Time Allotment
3 hours
175 Exam Questions (150 scored/25 pre-test items)

15. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam
Topic
2009
% of Items from each Content Domain
Assessment & Diagnosis (48%)
Management (48%)
Professional Practice Role (4%)
Assessment (20%)
Diagnosis (25%)
Management (50%)
Professional Practice Role (5%)
Number of Tasks per Content Domain
Assessment & Diagnosis - 40
Management – 43
Professional Practice Role – 6
Total = 89
Assessment - 48
Diagnosis - 11
Management – 25
Professional Practice Role – 11
Total = 95

16. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam
TOPIC
2009
Prioritization of Clinical Problems / Body Systems
Pulmonology
Cardiology
Infectious disease
Neurology
Hematology / Oncology
Trauma
Gastrointestinal
Renal
Musculoskeletal
Endocrine / Metabolic
Immunology
Otolaryngology
Dermatology
PULMONOLOGY
CARDIOLOGY
INFECTIOUS DISEASES
TRAUMA/BURNS/MALTREATMENT
NEUROLOGY/NEUROSURGERY
ONCOLOGY
GASTROINTESTINAL
PAIN/SEDATION
MUSCULOSKELETAL
OTOLARYNGOLOGY/CRANIO-FACIAL/DENTAL
HEMATOLOGY
RENAL
ALLERGY/IMMUNOLOGY/RHEUMATOLOGY
DERMATOLOGY
ENDOCRINOLOGY
GENETICS/METABOLIC
GENITOURINARY
TOXICOLOGY

17. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Summary
Majority of content areas from 2009 content outline remain valid.
Refined descriptions for clarity.
“Assessment” and “Diagnosis” are now separate domains.
Supporting list of technical competencies (e.g., physiologic monitoring/support and interpretation of diagnostic results) now a formal part of the content outline.
Expanded list of clinical problems (body systems).

18. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Assessment
Under Assessment:
Expanded and added definition to each element of Health History and Physical Exam
Added assessment of child health risks
Validated and acknowledged elements of health promotion within acute care practice

19. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Diagnosis
Under Diagnosis:
Created separate domain for Diagnosis – separating it from previous combined domain entitled “Assessment and Diagnosis”
Combined and clarified identification of diagnostic elements (II.A. 1 thru 11)
Collapsed specific body systems / clinical problems so that they are a backdrop to all domains
Prioritization of body systems / clinical problems is standard across all domains

20. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Management
Under Management:
In the acute care environment, where Implementing, Evaluating and Revising interventions can occur rapidly...
Combined the threads of management under one heading (III.A.1) such as:
Age-specific and situation-specific screening and procedures
Complications
Medications
Response to therapy

21. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Management
Under Management (cont.):
Collapsed specific body systems / clinical problems so that they are a backdrop to all domains
Prioritization of body systems / clinical problems is standard across all domains
Clarified and simplified elements of
Education
Collaboration
Referral

22. How the 2013-14 Study Impacts the Exam: Professional Practice Role
Under Professional Practice Role:
Updated, expanded and clarified the essential elements of professional practice as applied to the role of the Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner.

23. The Acute Care CPNP Exam
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Acute Care CPNP Exam
Job Practice Analysis

24. Questions others are asking…
Q: When does the updated exam launch?
A: It is expected to launch October 24, 2014.
Q: Is there any advantage in taking one version of the exam over the other?
A: No, both will equally assess your knowledge.
Q: Do I need to study differently if I choose to take the updated exam?
A: No, any preparations you undertake will benefit you regardless of which exam version you take. The reference list remains the same because the tasks listed on the new outline have not changed significantly from the older one.

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Acute Care CPNP Exam
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