ANALYSIS | DEVELOPMENT | IMPLEMENTATION
HNB-BC: Holistic Nursing Baccalaureate -
Board Certified
Offered by:
American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC)
811 Linden Loop
Cedar Park, TX 78613
785.267.0943 (Voice)
Accredited by:
Requirements
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Unrestricted, current U.S. RN license
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A baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing
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Minimum of one year (2000 hours) of Holistic Nursing experience (obtained within the past 5 years)
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48 CE hours in Holistic Nursing Theory, Research, Practice, or related topics
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Graduate of the nationally accredited Nursing program
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See additional requirements for international applicants below*
Preparation for the Exam
It is the responsibility of the individual to prepare for the exam. The two primary resources are the Core Practice Competencies of Holistic Nursing and the AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing Practice. Examination items are developed to test the Core Practice Competencies of Holistic Nursing. The basic competencies may be found as an appendix in the Core Essentials for Basic Holistic Nursing. The advanced competencies may be found as an appendix in the Core Essentials for Advanced Holistic Nursing. To obtain the AHNA Scope and Standards of Holistic Nursing, click here.
Expectations and Responsibilities
Only nurses certified by AHNCC may use the designated credentials. Nurses may NOT use the credential when the nurse has:
Not completed the Certification or Recertification Process consistent with the level of competence;
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A restricted, inactive, or withdrawn license;
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Requested inactive status; or
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Certification has been withdrawn by AHNCC.
*Holistic Nursing Experience
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For your holistic nursing experience to be considered acceptable, you have to have been employed as a registered nurse for a minimum of one year (2000 hours) within the last five years, practicing within the context of AHNA's Standards of Practice, Code of Ethics, and Nursing Theories consistent with holistic nursing philosophy. Holistic Nursing is not dependent on one's ability to use modalities or alternative therapies, but rather on how you show up in your practice and work with your clients. If your philosophy is holistic, then you practice holistically. The best source of information about holistic nursing is provided in AHNA’s book (3rd edition), Holistic Nursing: The Scope and Standards for Practice. Additionally, you may click the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) button below to find out more.
**International Applicants
All international applicants are eligible to sit for the HNB-BC examination. Applicants educated outside the US and Canada must demonstrate that education has been verified for equivalency by CGFNS, WES, or ERES. International applicants who do not possess current RN licensure in the US must meet the following criteria:
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Applicants must have a current full and unrestricted license as a first-level nurse in the country in which nursing education was completed -AND- meet the eligibility for licensure as an RN in the US in accordance with the requirements of the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) or World Education Services (WES).
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Candidates licensed outside the US must demonstrate that the license has been verified for equivalency by CGFNS, WES, or Educational Records Evaluation Services (ERES).
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International applicants who are not planning on working in the United States may submit an RN license from their country. A US license is required if the applicant plans to seek employment in the US.
Handbook - Application - Study Materials:
Exam Fee:
CBT Scheduling:
Application Submission & Examination Scheduling:
The AHNCC requires a TWO-STEP process for submitting HNB-BC certification applications.
Step 1: Pre-Qualification
To have your application reviewed for eligibility, complete and submit the certification application along with the application review fee (listed above under “Step 1: Qualification Application Fees”). If paying with a pre-approved hospital voucher, submit the appropriate voucher for the Step 1 payment. If there are any issues with your submission, C-NET will email instructions on completing your application. Be advised that incomplete applications may be subject to Incomplete Application Fees.
Step 2: Certification Registration & Examination
Upon approval of your application, C-NET will send you a link (via email) to pay your Step 2, the certification examination payment (listed above under “Step 2: Certification Examination Application Fees”). Once paid, you
will receive a link within a few days, allowing you to choose an exam date, time, and location. Follow the link to book your exam. All exams are offered in the Computer-Based Test (CBT) format. To find a CBT site near you, click the “Test Sites” button at the top of this website. CBT testing is year-round.
Retaking the Exam:
If you need to retest, you must wait at least 30 days from your most recent test date before testing again. If you test and are unsuccessful, you have 12 months from the initial test date to retest at a reduced rate without submitting a new application. To take advantage of this, follow the instructions on your score report. NOTE: You may retest as many times as you’d like at the reduced rate so long as you are within one year of your initial test date.