Champion Volunteer Manual
Champion Volunteer Manual
Table of Contents
Welcome Letter from PNCB's CEO
Champion Manual Purpose………………………………………………………. 1
PNCB Overview………………………………………………………………………… 1
Champion Program Purpose……………………………………………………… 1
Champion Benefits……………………………………………………………………. 2
Champion Responsibilities………………………………………………………… 3
Communication………………………………………………………………………… 4
PNCB Contacts………………………………………………………………………….. 4
FAQs…………………………………………………………………………………………. 5
Quick Links……………………………………………………………………………….. 6 - 7
Thank You & Feedback……………………………………………………………… 8
Thank you for your commitment to serve as a CPN Certification Champion for the
Pediatric Nursing Certification Board! The PNCB's past, present, and continued future
successes are a direct result of the talents and dedication of volunteers like you.
As a PNCB volunteer, you are contributing to the largest certification organization for
pediatric nursing. You are also joining hundreds of your fellow PNCB-certified
colleagues in nurturing the professional development of colleagues and ultimately
improving the quality of pediatric nursing care for children and families.
This manual has been prepared as one of several resources for you as you promote
certification at the hospital/local or state level. It is intended to be a convenient
summary of information to provide guidance, offer ideas, and connect you quickly
with staff when you have questions.
We hope your involvement with PNCB's Champion program is a valuable experience,
and we look forward to your contributions.
Sincerely,
Peg Harrison, MS, RN, CPNP
PNCB Chief Executive Officer
1. Champion Manual Purpose
This manual is designed to acquaint Champion volunteers with benefits and expectations.
Responsibilities are outlined in detail with examples to help you become familiar with this
program so you'll have a volunteer experience that encourages both personal and professional
growth.
2. PNCB Overview
Established in 1975 by representatives of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the
National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP), the PNCB began certification
for pediatric nurse practitioners in 1977. A decade later, we responded to a nationwide survey
of pediatric nurses who indicated a need and desire to seek certification… and in 1989 the
Certification Pediatric Nurse exam was launched. Today, over 14,000 RNs are CPNs!
Representatives from the Society of Pediatric Nurses (SPN), AAP, and NAPNAP hold positions on
our board of directors, along with at-large CPN, CPEN, and CPNP members plus one consumer
member. We're proud of the fact that our board is comprised of people who care for children
and understand the needs of pediatric nursing professionals who work in the many different
pediatric settings and roles throughout the country.
Our mission is to provide the highest quality certification services for nursing professionals who
care for pediatric populations. The exams created and administered by the PNCB are endorsed
by SPN, AAP, and NAPNAP. The Certified Pediatric Nurse exam is accredited by the National
Commission for Certifying Agencies, and we're a member of the American Board of Nursing
Specialties.
3. Champion Program Purpose
The PNCB launched the Champion program to:

Increase awareness of CPN certification and its benefits by providing enthusiastic CPNs
with resources to connect colleagues with information.

Recognize CPNs who go above and beyond to create excitement about their
certification.

Enhance communications with possible CPN exam candidates as well as current CPNs.
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4. Champion Benefits
Apart from intangible benefits like personal satisfaction and professional growth, being a
Champion offers:

Champion gear
We'll provide a special shirt in the style and color of your choosing, a tote bag, lapel pin,
business cards, and more to make others aware that you are a resource for them.

Resources
Whether you're having one-on-one conversations on individual units, or you're
promoting CPN certification at large events like skills fairs or local conferences, we'll
make sure you have plenty of materials on hand.

Recertification credit
You receive a free Recertification credit equal to the cost of CE documentation options
after your first full year of service and each year of service thereafter.

New relationships and networking
You'll get to know other Champions and have a special place online to share best
practices, triumphs, and concerns for group collaboration with your peers.

Dedicated staff
We're here to help… and do our best to make your ideas a reality. Whether you have a
question or a new way to convey information, our job is to support the important work
you do.

Professional and personal growth
We believe your Champion role will offer you the opportunity to try something
different, learn new things, and provide an outlet for your enthusiasm about being a
CPN!
We hope your supervisor and nursing leadership recognize your efforts as well. When you are
initially selected for Champion status and after each year of service, we can send a letter to
them to share information about your volunteer role for the PNCB as well as how certification is
increasing due to your efforts. Just let us know who should receive a letter and we'll take care
of the rest.
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5. Champion Responsibilities
As a Champion, you represent the PNCB at the grass-roots level and serve as an ambassador for
our CPN examination and recertification programs. Champions will:

Promote CPN certification: Recruit and encourage eligible pediatric nurses to take the CPN
exam. Share research in your Champion Tool Kit on how certification can improve care to
children and reasons why RNs become certified. Understand why some RNs are afraid to
test and provide support. Organize informal study groups if your hospital doesn’t offer
review courses. Explain the basics of maintaining CPN status through Recert so new CPNs
will feel comfortable about the process.

Take part and create opportunities to be a Champion” Represent PNCB at skills fair or
certification drives at your hospital. Wear your Champion shirt during Certified Nurses Day,
Nurses Week, and other special events. If possible, organize or ask leadership to host a
reception every few months for new CPNs. Invite your CNO to these events. If you're a
member of a local Society of Pediatric Nurses chapter, bring materials and wear your gear
at meetings.

Promote recertification for CPNs: You're a local resource for CPNs with questions. Remind
your colleagues of when Recert takes place and feel comfortable explaining the basics. Did
you know questions from the Pediatric Nursing Pediatric Updates (formerly SAEs) can be
discussed as a group? You can even arrange get-togethers at your hospitals to review
Pediatric Updates questions together and collaborate. And of course feel free to refer any
Recert questions you're not comfortable answering to us so we can help.

Know when to consult staff: Get a tough question you can't answer? Have a news media
opportunity? Keep your PNCB office contacts in the loop so we can quickly respond to
concerns or help you manage any public relations issues like a news interview. We will craft
sound bites or draft articles for you.

Reporting and record keeping : Every quarter, you'll complete brief online surveys to report
the exciting things you're doing locally to promote CPN certification. The questions on the
survey will take about 15 minutes. You will be asked the date and name or description of
each activity you take part in, so keep brief notes about the interactions you have.

Commit to a two-year appointment

Read all correspondence from the PNCB: We promise not to fill your inbox, but we will be
in touch via email every month or so. Please read these communications and let us know if
you have questions.

Keep us updated : If you change contact information or employers, please let us know.
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Communication
The PNCB will be in touch usually every month, sometimes just to ask how things are going.
Here is a list of when we plan to reach out to you.
When
What
Approximately every month
Regular Check-In
A short email to see if you:
 Need more materials.
 Have questions.
 Have any feedback to share.
Quarterly Reporting
An email with:
 An online survey link to easily report activities and
give us feedback.
 CPN statistics showing current and past numbers of
CPNs at your hospital for your records.
Recert Benefit Notification
This email explains how to access to your Recert credit
benefit for Champions with a full year of service.
Recert Alert
An email reminder to share the Recert deadline with
colleagues and let us know if you are receiving questions on a
certain aspect of Recert.
Thanks and Feedback
This mailed package includes:
 A formal letter of acknowledgement
 A report of CPN growth at your hospital
 A certificate of appreciation
Action Alert
A special email announcement when a major event or issue is
occurring. Examples include:
 A change to exam policies or procedures
 An update to the exam content outline
Every quarter
Before Recertification starts
Early November of each year
Annually on anniversary date
As needed
PNCB Contact
Materials, Gear, Media Relations, Champion Program Questions, & No Pass, No Pay Info
Jaime Mahoney, PNCB Marketing & Communications Coordinator
info@pncb.org or 888-641-2767 ext. 332
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FAQs
Q: What resources are available from the PNCB?
A: We offer the following to support your efforts. If you have an idea for a new resource,
contact info@pncb.org with your thoughts or call 888-641-2767 ext. 332.






A PowerPoint about benefits, why people certify, and what happens after they apply
Brochures about the exam and the process
Giveaways to share one-on-one or at events
An online bibliography on certification literature
Postcards to invite eligible RNs to test
Free CE to benefit colleague regardless of certification status at www.freepedsce.org
Q: How do I get support from leadership?
A: Our Employer's Guide to PNCB Certification is filled with talking points on why
certification benefits hospitals. Upon your initial selection, provide us with contact
information for leadership and supervisors so we can send a letter introducing your new
volunteer role and how your commitment to certification benefits your hospital.
Q: Some of my colleagues are afraid to take the exam. How can I help them?
A: Your role here as a mentor is very important. Do you know new CPNs who can
recommend study strategies or resources that worked for them? If test anxiety is an
issue, our Test-taking Strategies Module offers tips to manage this.
Q: Some of my colleagues simply do not want to become certified. What can I say to
change their minds?
A: When you've shared the literature and benefits, and nothing makes a difference,
don't take it personally. Some people just aren't interested. Focus your efforts on
colleagues who are receptive. Share the feedback you received with your PNCB contacts
to brainstorm. If you get negative feedback about the lack of benefits at the hospital
level, share these comments with staff development personnel, leadership, or staff
dealing with retention and ask if benefits can be developed for achieving certification.
Q: Some CPNs question the need for annual Recert. Why does PNCB do it that way?
A: Annual recertification keeps costs low for CPNs, plus it keeps our database up-to-date
with current contact information. This means less staff time in searching for people who
move and don't let us know. Annual Recert also means CPNs aren't looking for 3 to 5
years of contact hour paperwork to be able to fill out the streamlined online application.
Our goal is to keep Recert costs manageable and time-efficient for everyone.
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Quick Links
Champions Corner
CHAMPION
RESOURCES
Creating a Culture of Certification
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/about/certification
Benefits of Certification
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/benefits
Employer Spotlight – see ideas for best practices
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/about/spotlight
ABOUT THE
EXAM
Why CPN certification?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/PNCB
Study resources including content outline, texts, CPN Exam Prep and more:
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/resources
Eligibility
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/elig
Taking the Exam
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/guide
Online Application
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/products
What is a passing score?
https://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/exams/pn/score
No Pass, No Pay Info
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/np/index
RECOGNITION
Walls of Distinction
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/about/walls
Celebrating Your Achievement and Faces of Certification
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/resources/celebrate
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Quick Links continued
MAINTAINING
CERTIFICATION
Recert Home
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/index
Recert Basics
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/requirements
What are my options? How much does it cost?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/options
What contact hours are accepted?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/ce
What are Pediatric Updates (formerly Standards Assessment Exam)?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/saes
Can clinical practice or other professional activities count?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/ppl
Does academic credit?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/academic
What is Professional Practice Learning (PPL)?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/ppl
What did I do last year for Recert?
https://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/recerthist
Why do we need to recertify?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/index
Recert FAQs
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/certs/cpn-cpnp/rfaqs
How do I access my ReCErt Tracker benefit?
http://www.pncb.org/ptistore/control/recerttracker
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Thank you!
The PNCB is proud that you'll be representing CPN certification to your colleagues as a
PNCB volunteer! We look forward to the insights you'll share with us and the excitement
you'll create at your institution.
Thank you in advance for your time and enthusiasm. We're truly grateful that you
decided to become a…
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