SCRN
Alumnus SCRN Status
ABNN developed the Alumnus SCRN status to recognize SCRNs who no longer meet eligibility for active certification (i.e. no longer working directly or indirectly in stroke 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 Alumnnus SCRN status, candidates must:
- be a current SCRN in the last year of their recertification cycle (i.e. due to expire December 31st of the current year) OR currently be in Inactive SCRN status;
- have a current, unrestricted RN license;
- no longer be working in direct or indirect stroke nursing and do not plan to return to the field of stroke nursing*;
- be working in the nursing profession in some capacity.
*If you think you may return to stroke nursing in the next 3-years, you may want to consider Inactive SCRN 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, 2023, the Alumnus application must be submitted between June 1, 2023 and January 1, 2024).
- No submission of CEs is required.
- Alumnus SCRN status must be renewed every 5 years.
- If an Alumnus SCRN re-enters the stroke nursing field, they may no longer use the Alumnus SCRN status and can regain the SCRN credential by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the SCRN exam.
Use of Designation
An individual who has been granted Alumnus SCRN status may use the designation Alumnus SCRN below their name and credentials, but not after a signature nor on a professional name badge. An individual who has been granted Alumnus SCRN status may not represent themselves as a SCRN. If an Alumnus SCRN re-enters the stroke nursing field, they may no longer use the Alumnus SCRN status and can regain the SCRN credential by meeting the current exam eligibility criteria, paying the examination fee, and passing the SCRN exam.
Application Fees
AANN Members | $85 |
Non-Members | $115 |
Not sure which status is best for you?
View the chart below comparing the different status options available including Inactive and Retired.
Inactive SCRN Status
ABNN developed the Inactive SCRN status to recognize SCRNs 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 SCRN status, candidates must:
- be a current SCRN 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 stroke nursing (i.e. does not meet the practice hour requirements within the 5-year cycle OR does not meet the stroke 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, 2023, the Inactive application must be submitted between June 1, 2023 and January 31, 2024).
- No submission of CEs is required at the time of applying for Inactive status, however, in order to regain full SCRN 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 SCRN exam.
- Candidates may NOT apply for Inactive status and deferment of renewal for two consecutive certification cycles.
Use of Designation
An individual who has been granted Inactive SCRN status may not represent themselves as a SCRN and may not use the credential during this 3-year timeframe. Once the Inactive SCRN submits their full renewal application and is approved, the candidate will then be able to use the SCRN 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 SCRN 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.
SCRN 2024 Candidate Handbook
If you are eligible for the exam, you can review the upcoming exam dates, locations, and application fees.
Sample SCRN Exam Questions
1. A patient with a right anterior cerebral artery (ACA) stroke would be expected to present with
- right leg weakness greater than right arm weakness.
- left leg weakness greater than left arm weakness.
- right arm weakness greater than right leg weakness.
- left arm weakness greater than left leg weakness.
2. Wallenberg syndrome usually results from occlusion or infarction of the
- basilar artery.
- posterior inferior cerebellar artery.
- anterior inferior cerebellar artery.
- superior cerebellar artery.
3. When evaluating a patient with transient ischemic attack, the physician utilizes the ABCD2 Score. This score indicates
- how severe the event was.
- the patient's risk for having a stroke.
- the patient's discharge disposition.
- what medications the patient will need.
4. A 57-year-old patient presents to the Emergency Department (ED) with slurred speech and aphasia that began two hours prior to arrival. Vital signs on arrival are BP 225/120, RR 18, and a blood glucose level of 350. Which of the following is the FIRST PRIORITY of action for this patient?
- Prepare tPA for administration.
- blood glucose management
- Perform a bedside swallow screen.
- blood pressure management
5. Which pharmacologic agent commonly requires ongoing therapeutic lab monitoring?
- apixaban
- dabigatran
- aspirin
- warfarin
6. A patient in acute rehabilitation becomes unwilling to participate in therapy. This is a common manifestation of which of the following post-stroke complications?
- seizure activity
- worsening stroke
- depression
- incontinence
7. A patient undergoes a diagnostic cerebral angiogram. The SCRN should know that post-procedure, the patient should be frequently assessed for
- oral angioedema.
- heart failure.
- peripheral vascular status.
- hyponatremia.
8. A patient who experienced a stroke 2 months ago is readmitted with secondary stroke. The patient states, "I don't need to fill my prescriptions or follow up with my physician because I'm fine now." An appropriate nursing diagnosis for this patient would be
- altered health maintenance.
- impaired body image.
- alterations sensory/perceptual.
- dysfunctional grieving.
9. An SCRN is developing a log for acute stroke patients presenting to the emergency department to begin tracking quality measures. Which of the following would be the MOST important quality measure to include on the log?
- door to treatment time
- county of residence
- physician of record
- laboratory testing
10. A patient experienced new onset stroke symptoms with last known well 45 minutes prior and is being evaluated for treatment with IV alteplase. Fingerstick glucose is 80, and non-contrast CT head is negative for hemorrhage. There is no history of anticoagulant use, bleeding or thrombocytopenia. Labs have been drawn and sent. The SCRN should
- prepare to administer alteplase once the order is given.
- place a urinary catheter.
- wait for the PT and PTT results before administering alteplase.
- explain to the patient that the glucose of 80 is a contraindication to treatment.
11. An SCRN is participating in a community health fair. One of the attendees asks how much exercise is needed for stroke and heart attack prevention. The BEST response is to recommend moderate to vigorous aerobic exercise at least
- 10 minutes/day, 7 days per week
- 20 minutes/day, 3-4 days per week
- 40 minutes/day, 3-4 days per week
- 60 minutes/day, 1-2 days per week
12. The SCRN should recognize that a significant component of quality acute stroke care begins with
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS).
- availability of MRI.
- early administration of antithrombotic agents.
- availability of neurosurgery services.
13. Functional independence measure (FIM) is a standardized assessment that includes
- sensory neglect.
- depression screen.
- agraphia.
- social cognition.
14. The SCRN has just admitted a new acute stroke patient to the Neuro ICU. The initial non-contrast head CT in the emergency department shows a new subarachnoid hemorrhage. The SCRN teaches the family member that a
- lumbar puncture is the gold standard to confirm a diagnosis of subarachnoid hemorrhage.
- subarachnoid hemorrhage must be treated with surgical intervention.
- subarachnoid hemorrhage is often caused by long-term alcohol abuse.
- spontaneous rupture of an aneurysm can cause a subarachnoid hemorrhage.
15. A patient arrives to the ED with a subarachnoid hemorrhage and a systolic blood pressure of 176 mm Hg. The SCRN should
- administer PRN antihypertensive medications to achieve a target systolic pressure less than 160 mm Hg.
- continue to monitor and administer PRN antihypertensive medications if the systolic pressure is greater than 185 mm Hg.
- administer PRN antihypertensive medications to achieve a target systolic pressure less than 130 mm Hg.
- continue to monitor and notify the physician for any systolic pressure over 190 mm Hg.
Answers: 1. B; 2. B; 3. B; 4. D; 5. D; 6. C; 7. C; 8. A; 9. A; 10. A; 11. C; 12. A; 13. D; 14. D; 15. 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 SCRN Study Materials page for more resources to help you study for the SCRN exam.
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.
RENEW YOUR SCRN CREDENTIAL
SCRNs are eligible to renew their credential during the fifth year of their certification. The official expiration date of a SCRN certificate is December 31 of the fifth complete year after certification (e.g., SCRN certification initially earned in 2018 or recertified effective January 1, 2019, expire on December 31, 2023). The 5-year recertification period was chosen as advancements in science and technology related to stroke are generally stable over this time period. The recertification requirements direct specifically to the stroke population and coincide with the knowledge statements of the Job Analysis.
Those who wish to renew their credential may recertify by retaking the SCRN exam or by accumulating continuing education (CE) credits.
- Option 1 – 4,160 stroke 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 stroke 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 stroke patients as needed to remain competent as a SCRN. The work experience, study/preparation, and passing the exam will prove that the SCRN has maintained current knowledge and competence to be a SCRN.
- The practice requirement of direct or indirect stroke 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 stroke patients as needed to remain competent as a SCRN. The work experience, study/preparation, and passing the exam will prove that the SCRN has maintained current knowledge and competence to be a SCRN.
- Option 2 – 4,160 stroke nursing practice hours in the past 5 years (equivalent to 2 years full-time work) AND 50 continuing education hours.
- SCRN recertification with continuing education in the different categories is based on a belief that practice in the stroke 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.
- SCRN recertification with continuing education in the different categories is based on a belief that practice in the stroke 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 stroke 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 SCRN Recertification Handbook
Dates and Deadlines
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