The Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC) administers the CDN certification exam to provide registered nurses with an opportunity to demonstrate their expertise and skills, as well as advance in their careers.
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CDN Exam Eligibility
To be eligible for the exam, you must be a registered nurse with at least 2,000 hours of experience related to nephrology, specifically caring for dialysis patients. You must also have completed at least 20 contact hours of approved continuing education, specifically in nephrology nursing, within the last two years.
CDN Exam Outline
The CDN exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions and has a time limit of 3 hours.
The exam contains two dimensions: content areas and objective areas. Each question on the exam belongs to one content area and one objective area.
Content Areas
Objective Areas
| Objective | Percentage of Questions |
|---|---|
| 1. Recognize pathologic processes and complications that occur with kidney disease and/or treatment modalities. | 18% |
| 2. Select interventions appropriate to the pathologic processes and complications that occur with kidney disease and/or treatment modalities. | 19% |
| 3. Apply physiologic and technical principles of kidney replacement therapies. | 18% |
| 4. Select appropriate teaching/learning strategies to educate client, family, other health professionals, and the public. | 10% |
| 5. Select appropriate actions in administering medication(s) to the patient being treated for kidney disease. | 12% |
| 6. Recognize the importance of an interdisciplinary approach to promote optimum functioning across the continuum of care. | 6% |
| 7. Select interventions appropriate to the psychological and sociocultural effects of kidney disease. | 3% |
| 8. Apply principles of infection control. | 12% |
| 9. Recognize the importance of professional nursing practice in promoting patient outcomes. | 2% |
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CDN Exam Registration
To register for the CDN exam, you must fill out an application and mail it to the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC), along with the examination fee ($350).
Once your application is approved, you will receive further information on how to schedule your exam date.
Test Day
On exam day, you should arrive at the testing center 15-30 minutes before the scheduled appointment. Upon arrival, you must sign in and present a valid form of photo ID to the proctor. After that, you will be photographed and asked to sign a roster and other rule forms.
Any personal items will need to be stored in a secure locker in the testing center. This includes your cell phone, wallet, and keys.
Once all of your personal items are stored, you will be led to the testing area and given a brief set of instructions before starting the exam.
How the CDN Exam is Scored
A group of NNCC subject matter experts determines the passing score for the CDN test. The panel evaluates the standards necessary to find sufficient candidates for the role. Therefore, the test results are evaluated against a predetermined benchmark.
Your score report will be provided to you at the end of the exam. To pass the CDN exam, you must get 70% or more of your questions right.
Retaking the CDN Exam
If you fail the CDN exam, you may retake it one time within one year, and you must pay a $200 retake fee.
Online CDN Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online CDN prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The CDN course includes:
- Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 600+ CDN Practice Questions
- More than 450 Digital Flashcards
- Money-back Guarantee
- Free Mobile Access
- and More!
The CDN prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their CDN exam. Click below to check it out!
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the CDN exam?
A
There are 150 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the CDN exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the CDN exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must answer at least 70% of the questions correctly.
Q
How much does the CDN exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $350.
