Alumnus CNRN Status

ABNN developed the Alumnus CNRN status to recognize CNRNs who no longer meet eligibility for active certification (i.e. no longer working directly or indirectly in neuroscience nursing), but are still in the nursing profession (in some capacity) and wish to remain connected with the credential.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for Alumnus CNRN status, candidates must:

• be a current CNRN in the last year of their recertification cycle (i.e. due to expire December 31^st of the current year) OR currently be in Inactive CNRN status;
• have a current, unrestricted RN license;
• no longer be working in direct or indirect neuroscience nursing and do not plan to return to the field of neuroscience nursing*;
• be working in the nursing profession in some capacity.

*If you think you may return to neuroscience nursing in the next 3-years, you may want to consider Inactive CNRN status.

Other Requirements

• Applications must be submitted prior to the end of the grace period for the candidate's current renewal cycle (i.e. if your certification expires on December 31, 2024, the Alumnus application must be submitted between June 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025).
• No submission of CEs is required.
• Alumnus CNRN status must be renewed every 5 years.
• If an Alumnus CNRN re-enters the neuroscience nursing field, they may no longer use the Alumnus CNRN status and can regain the CNRN credential by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the CNRN exam.

Download the application

Use of Designation

An individual who has been granted Alumnus CNRN status may use the designation Alumnus CNRN below their name and credentials, but not after a signature nor on a professional name badge. An individual who has been granted Alumnus CNRN status may not represent themselves as a CNRN. If an Alumnus CNRN re-enters the neuroscience nursing field, they may no longer use the Alumnus CNRN status and can regain the CNRN credential by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the CNRN exam.

Application Fees

Not sure which status is best for you?

View the chart below comparing the different status options available including Inactive and Retired.

ABNN Certification Status Options Chart

Sample CNRN Exam Questions

1. Following a cerebral vascular accident (CVA) involving the middle cerebral artery, a patient developed homonymous hemianopia. Which of the following interventions is MOST suitable as part of the rehabilitation plan?

1. Gather assessment data for a likely ophthalmology consult
2. Patch the affected eye
3. Discourage ambulation
4. Teach visual scanning techniques

2. After a head injury, a patient has persistent recent memory loss. Which of the following strategies would be MOST beneficial as the patient reintegrates into the community?

1. Keep a calendar of daily activities
2. Memorize the next day’s schedule every night
3. Hire a personal care assistant
4. Ask others for daily instructions

3. Which of the following is the MOST suitable intervention for a patient with cranial nerve involvement due to Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)?

1. Sensory checks below the level of the lesion
2. Establishing communication patterns
3. Use of neuromuscular blocking agents
4. Initiation of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) for respiratory management

4. Of the following, which is MOST appropriate as an interdisciplinary team goal for the sensory stimulation program for a comatose patient?

1. Design a patient-centered program
2. Plan a comprehensive bowel and bladder retraining program
3. Select nationally recognized stimulation techniques
4. Develop a treatment schedule consistent with schedules of each team member

Answers: 1. d; 2. a; 3. b; 4. a
Note: These items are intended only as samples of the style of questions you should expect. They are not representative of the numbers of any category of question that will be included on the test.

Visit the CNRN Study Materials page for more resources to help you study for the CNRN exam. 

Inactive CNRN Status

ABNN developed the Inactive CNRN status to recognize CNRNs who temporarily do not meet eligibility requirements for recertification (whether it be practice hours or CE hours) and do not want to forfeit their credential. Inactive status is appropriate for those planning to meet the renewal eligibility requirements within a 3-year timeframe from their expiration date. Candidates may reactivate their certification anytime during the 3-year Inactive status period, once the established renewal eligibility requirements are met. At the time of renewal, continuing education credits and other requirements must meet the time frame as defined at the time of renewal (i.e. within 5 years of submitting the renewal application).

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for Inactive CNRN status, candidates must:

• be a current CNRN in the last year of their recertification cycle (i.e. due to expire December 31st of the current year)
• have a current, unrestricted RN license
• not meet the recertification eligibility criteria, but is planning to return to neuroscience nursing (i.e. does not meet the practice hour requirements within the 5-year cycle OR does not meet the neuroscience CE hour requirement during their 5-year cycle.)

Other Requirements

• Applications must be submitted prior to the end of the grace period for the candidate's current renewal cycle (i.e. if your certification expires on December 31, 2024, the Inactive application must be submitted between June 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025).
• No submission of CEs is required at the time of applying for Inactive status, however, in order to regain full CNRN status, candidates must meet the renewal requirements as defined in the year that they submit their renewal application. CE and practice hours must be earned within the previous 5-years. If eligibility is not met at the end of the 3-year extension period, the certification will no longer be renewable except by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the CNRN exam.
• Candidates may NOT apply for Inactive status and deferment of renewal for two consecutive certification cycles. 

Download the application

Use of Designation

An individual who has been granted Inactive CNRN status may not represent themselves as a CNRN and may not use the credential during this 3-year timeframe. Once the Inactive CNRN submits their full renewal application and is approved, the candidate will then be able to use the CNRN credential. If eligibilty is not met at the end of the 3-year extension period and a renewal application with payment is not submitted, candidates will need to re-pay for and pass the CNRN examination earn the credential.

Application Fee

An $85 Inactive Status application fee must be submitted at the time of applying for the extension. In order to renew the full credential, candidates will need to pay the recertification fee as set by ABNN for that year.

Not sure which status is best for you?

View the chart below comparing the different status options available including Alumnus and Retired.

ABNN Certification Status Options Chart

ABNN's Statement on Continued Competency

The Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) defines continuing competency as “the ongoing commitment of a registered nurse to integrate and apply the knowledge, skills, and judgment with the attitudes, values, and beliefs required to practice safely, effectively, and ethically in a designated role, patient population, and/or setting.” ABNN adopts this definition and believes that all ABNN Certificants should continue to expand on their knowledge through practice, continuing education, and/or professional development throughout their 5-year certification cycle. With the advancements of science and technology related to neuroscience changing over the years, the goal of ABNN’s recertification program is for certificants to demonstrate continued competency by meeting the one of three different recertification pathways as stated below.  Recertification demonstrates an ABNN certified nurse’s commitment to patient care and dedication to life-long learning.

Recertify as a CNRN

CNRNs are eligible to renew their credential during the fifth year of their certification. The official expiration date of a CNRN certificate is December 31 of the fifth complete year after certification (e.g., CNRN certification initially earned in 2019 or recertified effective January 1, 2020, expire on December 31, 2024). The 5-year recertification period was chosen as advancements in science and technology related to neuroscience are generally stable over this time period. The recertification requirements direct specifically to the neuroscience population and coincide with the knowledge statements of the Job Analysis.

Those who wish to renew their credential may recertify by retaking the CNRN exam or by accumulating continuing education (CE) credits.

• Option 1 – 4,160 neuroscience nursing practice hours in the past 5 years (equivalent to 2 years full-time work) AND retaking/passing the certification exam. 
  • The practice requirement of direct or indirect neuroscience nursing facilitates the maintenance of current skills, and also promotes the acquisition of new skills through their exposure to the practice setting. The practice requirement of 2-years full time within the 5-year cycle takes into account the amount of time it will take a nurse to see a sufficient number and range of neuroscience patients as needed to remain competent as a CNRN. The work experience, study/preparation, and passing the exam will prove that the CNRN has maintained current knowledge and competence to be a CNRN. 
    
    
• Option 2 – 4,160 neuroscience nursing practice hours in the past 5 years (equivalent to 2 years full-time work) AND 75 continuing education hours.
  • CNRN recertification with continuing education in the different categories is based on a belief that practice in the neuroscience field, in conjunction with continuing education (CE) activities, contributes to the continued competency of RNs working in the neuroscience field. Recertification by CE is available to meet the needs of a diverse population of certificants so those that prefer to keep updated via educational programs (Category 1) may do so. This allows the nurse to stay current through evidence-based practice in the medicine and healthcare of their specialty area. The additional categories recognize that professional development and maintenance of leadership competencies may be accomplished in a variety of professional activities.
    
    
• Option 3 – 2,500 neuroscience nursing practice hours in the past 5 years (equivalent to 2 years part-time work) AND 100 continuing education hours.
  • Candidates who are working part-time are required to earn additional CE to ensure that they are gaining additional training/education for experience and skills that they may not have received during their practice hours.

Download the recertification handbook

Recertify by Exam

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Recertify by CE

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