Ambulatory Care Nursing Certification

This is a paper-and-pencil exam

Application and Pricing (PDF: 381KB)

Description of Practice

The ambulatory care nurse is a registered nurse who provides nursing care on an episodic basis, in which a single or a series of encounters is less than 24 hours in duration. Ambulatory care nursing practice occurs in diverse settings such as, but not limited to, health care facilities, community-based settings, schools, workplaces, homes, and via multi-media communications.

The ambulatory care nurse utilizes cost-effective ways to assist patients and/or clients in promoting wellness, preventing illness, and managing acute and chronic diseases to optimize the patients’ health status throughout their life span. The patient and/or client engages in predominantly self-managed health activities or receives care from families (self-defined), with or without assistance from communitybased agencies outside the institutional setting.

Eligibility Criteria

• Hold a current, active RN license within a state or territory of the United States or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country

• Have practiced the equivalent of two years full time as a registered nurse

• Have a minimum of 2,000 hours of clinical practice in ambulatory care nursing within the last three years

• Have completed 30 hours of continuing education in ambulatory care nursing within the last three years

All requirements must be completed prior to application for the examination.

Credential Awarded: RN-BC (Registered Nurse-Board Certified)

This page last revised 1/15/2008.