ANCC/NACNS Seeking Volunteers to Serve as Item Test Writers for the New Core CNS Clinical Nurse Specialist Exam
If you are interested in becoming an item writer for other specialties, click here. |
Workshop Date & Location
- March 3-5, 2008 in Atlanta, GA
Download
- CNS Item Writer Application Form (PDF: 50KB)
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the National Association of Clinical Nurse Specialists (NACNS) are developing a new certification examination that will serve as a core certification examination for clinical nurse specialists. The examination will cover core competencies that are common across clinical nurse specialties. This examination is intended for CNSs practicing in specialty areas for which no certification examination is available at the present time. Applicants who pass the examination will be certified by ANCC in critical elements of CNS practice. This examination will serve as a foundation upon which to build a specialty component through portfolio or other methods of recognition of a specialty.
ANCC/NACNS are currently seeking applicants interested in serving as Item Writers. Items writers are practicing clinical nurse specialists who write high-quality test questions to be used on the new certification examination. Item writers serve a one year term, which may be renewed for a second year. During each one year term, item writers commit to writing 70 high quality test items.
Participation as an item writer requires attendance at a mandatory three-day item writing workshop on March 3-5, 2008 held in Atlanta, GA (in conjunction with the NACNS Annual Conference).
In order to qualify to be an item writer for the Core Clinical Nurse Specialist Examination:
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You must be: a) master’s prepared; b) currently licensed as a Registered Nurse; and c) Practicing as a clinical nurse specialist. CNS working in positions such as faculty members, nurse scientists, and administration are eligible. Item writing experience is not necessary.
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You must have the ability to access current CNS related reference materials from your home location, such as access to the Internet or a library. Reference materials, to be determined, will be texts and other documents that are commonly used in the CNS role. Some of the reference materials will be made available during the workshop.
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You must have access to a computer for private use. The computer must have Internet connectivity and either Firefox 1.0 or Internet Explorer 6.0 or later.
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You must make a commitment to develop 70 high quality test questions. Each item writer begins writing test questions during the item writing workshop and will be required to submit seven (7) items per month. Item writers typically spend an average of 1 to 1.5 hours to research, draft, and revise a test question.
If you are interested in serving as an item writer, please complete the attached application and mail, fax, or email it along with a copy of your resume or curriculum vitae to Tawana Brown using the contact information provided on the application.
For more information regarding being an item writer, you may contact Christine DePascale at 1-800-284-2378, ext. 5278 or send an email to ANCCItemWriter@ana.org.
This page last revised 12/06/2007.