aacn cne program approval for chapters effective 9/15/2011

AACN CNE Program Approval

for Chapters

Effective 9/15/2011

Objectives1. Explain how to determine if the educational activity qualifies for

CNE or CERPs.2. Explain the improvements made to the CNE Program Approval

process for AACN chapters.3. Describe the roles and responsibilities related to CNE Program

Approval.4. Discuss previously developed educational content.5. Recognize common errors that lead to disapproval on a CNE

Application.6. Distinguish benefits of CNE & CERPs.7. Share recent changes applied to Medical Device Companies.8. Discuss key component to planning an education program.9. Share tips on how to increase the quality of chapter educational

programs.

What is CNE?(Continuing Nursing Education)

• The systematic professional learning experience designed to augment the knowledge, skills and attitudes of nurses and enrich the nurses’ contributions to quality healthcare and to their pursuit of professional career goals.

• The program’s educational content must be overwhelmingly (> 95% of presentation) clinical in nature to gain approval for CNE.

What are CERPs?(Continuing Education Recognition Points)

• CERPs encompass a wide spectrum of continuing education activities performed by nurses in high acuity and critical care and fulfill educational requirements for certification. • State boards of nursing and other certification

organizations also may recognize CERPs as meeting continuing education requirements.

• By awarding CERPs instead of traditional Continuing Nursing Education credit, chapters can offer a wider range of sessions that do not qualify for CNE credit.• Content geared toward the use of medical devices,

equipment, technology, products or in-service education is not eligible for CNE.

Educational Activity

Does my program fall within CNE guidelines?

Submit a completed CNE application to

AACN National for approval.

Yes

No

Offer CERPs by providing a certificate of attendance.

> 95% of presentation is clinical

Content geared toward the use of medical devices, equipment, technology, products or in-service education.

CNE Approval Process

If the program falls within CNE guidelines, the chapter may apply through CNE Program Approval.

Please take advantage of the new online resources such as the Educational Session Timeline and the Submission Checklist to help you submit in a timely manner.

www.aacn.org > Education > CNE Program Approval > Select “AACN Chapter”

(both forms are located there)

CERPs

AACN approves chapters for CNE only, if the program does not meet CNE criteria, the chapter can offer CERPs. There is no formal process or an associated fee for CERPs. The chapter can simply provide a Certificate of Attendance.

www.aacn.org > Education > CNE Program Approval > Select

“AACN Chapter”

I. CNE Program Approval Improvements

• Streamlined application requirements for chapters – much less paperwork

• New educational design policy modeled after ANCC’s regulations

• Simplified fee schedule and payment options for AACN chapters

• Clarity around submission details

• Chapter-only privileges

• Online tools and resources:

• Chapter Submission Checklist

• Chapter Educational Timeline

• CNE Program Evaluation Form

• CNE Certificate Template

• CNE Record Keeping Checklist

• FAQs

New Fee Structure for AACN Chapters

Effective 9/15/11

Program Fee Schedule for AACN Chapters

Contact Hours Fee

0.5 – 8.0 $20

8.25 – 16.0 $30

16.25 – 24.0 $40

24.25+ $50

Rush Fee (for chapters only)

$60 in addition to the program fee

* Rush fee is only offered for programs up to 16 contact hours.

*

II. AACN CNE Program ApprovalRoles and Responsibilities

AACN National Office:•To “drive excellence” because nothing less is acceptable

•To implement best practice and provide the highest level of competency, accuracy and credibility

•To assure CNE submissions are complete and thorough

•To process completed CNE submissions within a timely manner

Roles and Responsibilities …

AACN National Office:•AACN is accredited as a Provider of Continuing Nursing Education by the ANCC and models its CNE Program Approval guidelines according to ANCC regulations.

•Develop and maintain records of chapter programs.

•Process completed applications in a timely manner.

AACN National Office:•Act as a resource for program questions related to application process and submission

•Provide Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) accreditation for chapters

•Communicate all program updates and changes to chapters

•Maintain website with current information



Chapter:•Conduct chapter education needs assessments.

• Can be as easy as including a question on your evaluation forms: “What other topics would you like to see offered?”

•Plan educational offerings accordingly.

•Determine accreditation needs:• CNE – Submit CNE Program Approval application to AACN.

• CERPs – No submission necessary; simply provide participants with a Certificate of Attendance. Save your attendance rosters for four years with your educational records.

• www.aacn.org > Education > CNE Program Approval > Select “AACN Chapter” for Certificate of Attendance template


Chapter:•Submit a fully completed CNE Program Approval application (no blank fields).

•Obtain official CNE approval from AACN before advertising program as “approved.”

•Plan programs in advance so “RUSH” services do not become the norm.

•Maintain chapter education records for four years.

Previously Developed Educational Content

• Content previously developed may be incorporated into educational activities awarding CNE according to AACN guidelines, provided the Nurse Planner and Planning Committee have:• Conducted an independent educational needs assessment of the

targeted audience.

• Identified previously developed educational content (PDC) that meets the learning needs of the target audience.


• Developed learning objectives for the educational activity independent of the learning objectives previously developed for the content OR have evidence why previously developed learning objectives did not require modification

• Evidence that PDC is current, evidence-based, meets current standards or practice guidelines

• Evidence of revisions/deletions/additions required for the PDC, or evidence stating why previously developed content did not require any revisions/deletions/additions


• Ensured that the PDC is objective and unbiased; and excludes any promotional evidence

• Verified that the PDC meets the definitions of “continuing education” as described in the AACN guidelines

• AACN will only approve a previously developed educational activity and award CNE credit if guidelines are followed.

Noncompliance of AACN Guidelines

An application may be ineligible due to:

• Incomplete submission.• Did not meet submission timeframe.• Previous noncompliance audits.• Product promotion.• In-service activity.


What are some of the common oversights?

1. Providing an acronym instead of the complete chapter name. Entering the complete chapter name allows AACN staff to locate

your chapter in the database; there are currently 238 chapters, and many have the same acronyms.

2. Not selecting the correct program fee amount. Entering the correct fee amount (which may also include the

additional Rush fee) adds to faster administration of the application and prevents delays in AACN staff needing to request additional payment authorization.


3. Not selecting the type of service – Regular or Rush. Selecting the service type allows your submission to be correctly

grouped and will enable the chapter to receive the application status in a timely manner.

4. Not providing online credit card payment confirmation number. Entering the confirmation number adds to faster administration

of the application and prevents delays.


Common errors specifically on the second page of the Program Information form are: 1.Program Description and Participant Learning Objectives either left blank or state the same information — please refer to the definitions on the Application Form.

2.Not clearly describing the outlined content.• The numbered content must expand on the topic and

provide the reviewer an easy understanding of the subject matter.

3.Program timeframe does not equal the requested total amount of contact hours.

4.Speaker name not included.An example of an

acceptable form follows

Example of an Acceptable Application Form

Page 1

Example of an Acceptable Application Form

Page 2

BENEFITS OF CNE VS. CERPCERP

Continuing Education Recognition Points

•1 CERP = 60 minutes of presentation time (30 minutes = .5 CERP).

•Includes in-service education.

•Allows the promotion of technology, equipment, products.

•Program can contain commercial influence.

•Does allow exhibitor education (outside of the room, like at NTI).

•Some State Boards of Nursing might not accept CERPs; it’s up to each participant to check with their state.

Recent Changes Applied toMedical Device Companies

• CNE approval has been discontinued.

• Programs will qualify for CERPs only.

• Offers greater options and freedom for educational offerings.

• Changes are effective September 15, 2011.

Benefits for Medical Device Companies of CERPs over CNE

Approval for more educational offerings and vehicles of instruction

Fewer limitations

Substantially less paperwork

More control over their materials

Greater exposure for the companies, as logos and branding are permitted with CERPs

What are the key components to planning an educational program?

Planning & Time Management

• Structures must be in place PRIOR to creating and submitting any program.• Nurse planner for event• Educational design• Vehicle(s) for delivery• Evaluation methods• Who is responsible for the record keeping

• Plan ahead — don’t wait until the last minute!

• Please take advantage of the Educational Session Timeline located on the CNE webpage.


Chapter Record Keeping• Applications.• Copy of original presentation(s).• Speaker biographical data forms, permissions and

disclosure form.• Copies of sign in sheets and evaluation form

• Nurse planner to review evaluation forms and make adjustments to presentation; use evaluation forms for potential new topics on which to present.

• Evaluation forms: policy does not require the actual feedback, just the form itself be saved for four years.

• Correspondence from AACN verifying approval of program.

Chapter Record KeepingFrom the Actual Policy:

Record KeepingFor each provided educational activity, the following

documentation must be maintained by the chapter in a secure and confidential manner for four years.

Refer to the Policy as well as the Record Keeping Checklist located at


Chapter Record Keeping

Implementation

•Title, location and date of the educational activity

•All evaluation tools used, including a summative evaluation

•Participant names and addresses

•Sample certificates of completion

•Number of contact hours associated with official accreditation

statement awarded to individual participants

III. Recommendations to Increase the Quality

Of Chapter

Educational Programs

Primary - Educational Design

• Assess learner needs.

• Protect educational content from ethical AND commercial bias.

Secondary Recommendations

• Designated Nurse Planner:

• Can be the Education Program Chair or member of the Education Committee.

• Must be a registered nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred.

• Must have experience with education and adult learning principles.

Secondary Recommendations

• Effective Design Principles:• Purpose and explicit measureable

educational objectives appropriate for the targeted audience

• Gap analysis

• Pharmacology contains different objectives and criteria

• Content, teaching and learning strategies congruent with purpose and educational objectives

• Participation and evaluation method

AACN National Office Next Steps:

Implement improvements.

• Monitor compliance and processing times to identify continued improvement opportunities.

• Offer live webinars for Chapters on CNE Program Approval to improve understanding and management.

For CNE Program Approval Email: [email protected]

For Chapter Contracts Email: [email protected]

aacn cne program approval for chapters effective 9/15/2011

Documents

education cne program

education program

cne program approval

cne credit

cne guidelines

cne criteria

benefits of cne cerps

completed cne application