CNN - Certified in Nephrology Nursing

  • $300-$350
  • Renews every 3 years

COURSE FORMAT

In Person

About

The Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) is offered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commissionc (NNCC). The CNN credential is designed for experienced nephrology Registered Nurses (RNs) practicing in multiple areas. Nephrology Nurses perform duties such as:

  • Home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis

  • Inpatient care for acute kidney injury

  • Critical care on kidney replacement therapy

  • Kidney transplant

  • Apheresis

The CNN certification tests a nurse’s competence in safety and quality of care for patients with kidney disease and disorders. 

Exam Costs

Exam Fee $350 

*Membership Discounts are available to Members of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA), the American Society of Nephrology (ASN), the National Kidney Foundation, and the Nurses Organization of Veterans Affairs.

Exam Fee with Membership Discount $300

Course Format

Test Format

The CNN exam consists of 175 computerized questions or 200 paper-and-pencil items. CNN candidates must complete the test in three and a half hours. Content is divided into five areas, including concepts of kidney disease, hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis, transplant, and acute therapies.

Examinees must correctly answer at least 123 of the 175 questions to pass the CNN. If you are taking the paper and pencil version, you will need to answer at least 140 out of 200 questions correctly to pass.

Certification

The requirements for the Certified Nephrology Nurse Exam include:

  • an active, unrestricted Registered Nurse license

  • a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in nursing

  • current employment with at least 50% of job responsibility providing direct care to patients suffering from renal disease

  • 3000 minimum clinical hours in nephrology during the past three years

  • at least 30 contact hours in nephrology during the past three years

CNN exams are offered nationally and are hosted by local chapters of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).

Renewal

The Certified Nephrology Nurse certification is valid for three years. To renew, an RN must have completed at least 1,000 hours of direct patient care to renal patients over the previous three years.

Alternatively, the RN may retake the CNN examination instead of maintaining the CE requirements.

Renewal Fee

  • By Exam - $350 for ANNA members and $300 for non-members

  • By Continuing Education (CE) - $150 for ANNA members and $175 for non-members

Other Resources

The NNCC offers resources for exam candidates, including:

A practice test is available through the NNCC website (Cost: $50)

Related Certifications

The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) offers the following certifications:

  • Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)

  • Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician - Advanced (CCHT-A)

  • Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)

  • Certified Nephrology Nurse - Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP)

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Frequently asked questions

What’s the difference between the Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) and the Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN)?

The requirements for each certification are different, and they focus on different aspects of nephrology care. A Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN) requires 2,000 hours of dialysis experience within the last 12 months and 20 contact hours of continuing education. A Certified Nephrology Nurse requires a BSN or higher, plus 3,000 hours of nephrology experience and 30 contact hours of continuing education.

What other certifications does the NNCC offer besides the Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN)?

The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) offers the following certifications:

  • Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician (CCHT)

  • Certified Clinical Hemodialysis Technician - Advanced (CCHT-A)

  • Certified Dialysis Nurse (CDN)

  • Certified Nephrology Nurse - Nurse Practitioner (CNN-NP)

What organization offers the Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN)?

The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) offers the Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN).

Can I earn a Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN) online?

No you can't earn a Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN) online.

Is the Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN) certification exam hard?

The Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN) certification exam consists of 150 questions and candidates must score 70% to pass. The more you prepare the more likely it is that you’ll pass the exam.

Who would benefit from obtaining the Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN) certification?

Experienced nephrology Registered Nurses (RNs) performing duties such as home hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, inpatient care for acute kidney injury, critical care on kidney replacement therapy, kidney transplant and apheresis would benefit from obtaining the Certified in Nephrology Nursing (CNN) certification. The CDN certification tests a nurse’s competence in safety and quality of care for patients with kidney disease and disorders.