CCCN Certification: Overview and FAQ
Becoming a Certified Continence Care Nurse (CCCN) can help you boost your nursing resume and expertise in caring for patients. This credential is one of several offered by the Wound, Ostomy, and Continence Nursing Certification Board (WOCNCB), and it can be a great fit for nurses working in outpatient, inpatient, long-term, and home health care areas.
Incontinence is a prevalent problem in older adults and is associated with falls, pressure injuries, depression, and social isolation. Nearly 44% of noninstitutionalized adults 65 and older, and over 70% of residents in long-term care, have experienced incontinence.
Patients need nurses who understand the risks of incontinence and can develop care plans for the best outcomes. That’s where a continence certification comes in — earning this credential shows your dedication to quality nursing care.
What Is a Certified Continence Nurse?
A CCCN nurse is someone who works with patients struggling with incontinence, and who has additional training that validates their knowledge and skills as an experienced clinician. Achieving this certification means a nurse has met additional standards and is committed to improving outcomes. Continence certification is recognized across the healthcare industry and is a mark of excellence.
Continence care falls under the wound, ostomy, and continence specialty. Nurses in this care setting serve patients with complex wounds, pressure ulcers, drains, stomas, and continence disorders. This credential can benefit nurses working in several areas, including the following:
Why Pursue Continence Nursing Certification?
While it’s not required for practice, becoming certified has many benefits for nurses. Here are some advantages of earning specialty certifications like this one:
- Career advancement: Certified nurses have an advantage when applying to roles in leadership, education, and more. Fewer than 20% of nurses have a certification, so it’s a way to set yourself apart.
- Enhanced skills and knowledge: The rigorous study and exam process of certification helps deepen your understanding of continence management. You can learn new evidence-based practices, improve patient outcomes, and stay current with the latest advancements in continence care.
- Improved outcomes: Certification is linked to better patient outcomes, including reduced complications and better quality of life for patients.
- Personal satisfaction and confidence: Certification can boost your confidence and sense of professional fulfillment. Becoming certified validates your skills as an expert nurse in your field, which can help you feel better about your work.
How to Earn Continence Nurse Certification: 4 Steps
Step 1: Understand Eligibility Requirements
Before you qualify to take the exam, you’ll need to meet these requirements set by the WOCNCB. There are two tracks to qualify:
- Traditional pathway: Graduate from a wound, ostomy, and continence nursing education program accredited by the WOCNCB. Courses must provide at least 40 hours of didactic learning, 40 hours of clinical practice, and 40 hours distributed to a specialty area.
- Experiential pathway: Complete at least 1,500 hours of clinical practice in continence care, along with 50 hours of continuing education or graduate-level courses in continence nursing within the past 5 years. Of the practice hours, 375 must be within the past year.
Step 2: Submit Your Application
Ready to get started? When it’s time to apply for your certification exam, you’ll need to prove that you meet the requirements above. Here’s the information you’ll need to provide to WOCNCB when you apply:
- A copy of your nursing license
- A copy of your bachelor’s degree diploma
- If you’re using the traditional pathway, a copy of your program diploma and released test results
- If you’re using the experiential pathway, proof of continuing education and verification of clinical hours
You’ll also need to pay a fee to complete your application. WOCNCB offers several specialty certifications, and if you’re only applying for one of them, you’ll pay $395. If you’re taking more than one specialty exam, you’ll pay more.
Step 3: Take the CCCN Exam
The CCCN test is offered through Meazure Learning, and you can take it at a testing center or from the comfort of your home computer. Once your application is approved, you’ll get an email from them to schedule the test. Do your best to schedule a date that works for you — the fee to reschedule is $50.
Here’s an outline of the content covered on the test:
- Obtaining health history
- Focused assessments
- Developing care plans
- Evaluating care plans
- Assessing quality of life
- Recommendations and interventions
- Instructing patients and caregivers
- Instructing other clinicians
- Collaboration and referrals
Do your due diligence to prepare for the exam. Check out these resources to arrive on test day feeling confident:
- WOCNCB’s Self-Assessment Exam (SAE)
- WOCNCB’s mobile flashcards
- WOCNCB’s textbook references
- Approved review courses
- Meazure Learning’s online demo test
Step 4: Maintain Your Certification
WOCNCB’s certifications are valid for five years. When it’s time to renew, you can either take the exam again or complete a Progressional Growth Program (PGP). Whichever option you choose, you’ll pay the same fee as your initial application fee.
To renew via PGP, you’ll need to compile this information:
- A complete PGP portfolio, uploaded between 3 and 12 months before your credential expires
- At least 10 specialty CEs
- Maintain an online profile with updates on your PGP activities
Continence Nurse Certification FAQs
What’s the difference between CCCN and CWOCN certification?
The CWOCN credential stands for Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse, and it’s a broader certification that covers wounds and stoma care as well as what is on the CCCN exam. Thus, CWOCN-certified nurses have a broader scope of expertise. They’re more likely to work in specialized areas such as wound care clinics and on wound care teams.
Can I retake the CCCN exam if I don’t pass?
Yes, you can technically take the exam as many times as you need to. But remember that there is a retake fee of $100, so it’s in your best interest to prepare and try to pass the first time.
Related Certifications
- Certified Wound Care Nurse (CWCN)
- Certified Ostomy Continence Nurse (COCN)
- Certified Wound Ostomy Continence Nurse (CWOCN)
- Wound Care Certified (WCC)
- Certified Wound Specialist (CWS)
- Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES)
- Certified Dementia Practitioner (CDP)
- NIH Stroke Certification
Take the Next Step in Your Nursing Career with IntelyCare
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