General Information and Test Taking

Strategies for ABOHN Certification

Carole Cusack and Denise Knoblauch

AOHP ONLINE EDUCATION PROGRAM

WEB009-2014

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Disclosure

Thank you for participating in this continuing educational activity.

Goals/Purpose : To improve knowledge that promotes professional development and enhance

the learners contribution of quality health care in Employee/Occupational Health.

Successful Completion of this CNE

In order to receive full contact-hour credit for this CNE activity, you must:

Attend the full session

Complete an evaluation

Conflict of Interest (or lack thereof) for Planners & Presenter(s)

A conflict of interest occurs when an individual has opportunity to affect or impact educational

content with which he or she may have a commercial interest or a potentially biasing

relationship of a financial, professional or personal nature. All planner and faculty/content

specialist(s) must disclose the presence or absence of a conflict of interest relative to this

activity. All potential conflicts are resolved prior to the planning, implementation or evaluation

of the continuing nursing education activity. All activity planning committee members and

faculty/content specialist have submitted conflict of interest disclosure forms.

The planning committee members and faculty/content specialist of this CNE activity have

disclosed no relevant professional, personal or financial relationships related to the planning

or implementation of the CE activity.

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Disclosure (Continued)

Commercial or Sponsor support

This CNE activity received no sponsorships or commercial support.

Non-endorsement of products

The approved provider status of AOHP (Association of Occupational Health Professionals) refers only

to the continuing nursing education activity and does not imply a real or implied endorsement by

AOHP or the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) of any commercial product, service or

company referred to or displayed in conjunction with this activity, nor any company subsidizing costs

related to this activity.

Reporting of Perceived Bias

Bias is defined by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation (ANCC

COA) a preferential influence that causes a distortion of opinion or of facts. Commercial bias may

occur when a CNE activity promotes one or more products(s)( drugs, devices, serviced, software,

hardware, etc,). This definition is not all inclusive and participants may use their own interpretation in

deciding if a presentation is biased.

The Association of Occupational Health Professionals in Healthcare is accredited as a provider of

continuing nursing education by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on

Accreditation.

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General Information and Test Taking

Strategies for ABOHN Certification

Webinar Presenters

Carole Cusack

Denise Knoblauch

Objectives

• Review reasons for certification.

• Discuss reasons why certification advances the profession and career.

• Understanding the Application process.

• Identify methods to study for the examination.

• Review the type of questions written for the examination.

• Maintaining your credential – Renewal and Recertification

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Reasons to be certified

• Certification advances your career path.

• Certification demonstrates competency in a field of practice.

• Certification proves your value.

• ABOHN credentials are peer driven, psychometrically developed examinations which insures key knowledge and skills relevant to occupational health practice

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Reasons to be Certified

• ABOHN credentials are trademarked and available for

almost every level of nursing education.

• ABOHN certifications are accredited by rigorous standards

by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies

(NCCA) and

• Recognized by the American Board of Nursing Specialties

(ABNS).

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Reasons to be Certified

• Certification shows colleagues, stakeholders and

employers you have successfully demonstrated your level

of competency.

• Employers prefer certification for hiring and promotion in

the areas of occupational health, case management and

safety management.

• One criteria for hospitals seeking Magnet status and/or

redesignation is support and encouragement for nurses to

become nationally certified.

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About ABOHN

• ABOHN was established in 1972 and has certified over

14,000 occupational health nurses for the workforce.

• ABOHN is recognized as the “Gold Standard of

Occupational Health Nursing.”

• ABOHN is governed by a Board of Directors composed of

Certified Occupational Health Nurses and 1 Public

member.

• ABOHN employs 3 full time and 1 part time staff

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Eligibility

• Requirements for certification are:

• Must be a registered nurse with an unrestricted license.

Foreign licenses are considered on a case by case

basis.

• Candidates must be employed in clinical, supervisory,

administrative, teaching/education or research

capacities in an institutional or private practice setting

for a minimum of 3,000 hours within the past five (5)

years in occupational health for a paid position.

• Must have a Bachelor’s Degree or above if sitting for

the COHN-S examination.

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The Application Process

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• Submit application

• Submit exam payment (within 90 days)

Applicant

• 120 days to schedule and take exam.

Candidate

• Congratulations! You are ABOHN certified.

• Yearly maintenance cycle.

Active Status

Examinations

• Examinations are given by computer based testing.

• We partner with Applied Measurement Professionals

(AMP) a testing organization to administer our

examinations.

• AMP offers over 180 examination sites in the US.

Additional sites are offered in many areas of the world

by request.

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Examinations

• Examinations for certification are:

• Composed of multiple-choice questions and are based

on two factors.

• OHN roles identified in the Practice Analysis and

• The four (4) nursing process steps:

• Assessment, Planning, Implementation and Evaluation.

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Certification Items

• Questions on high stakes examinations are called items.

• Items constructed for the ABOHN examinations are

based on the Test Blueprints for the examinations.

• Contents of an item must fall within the role of the

knowledge statements outlined in the Test Blueprint or

it cannot be used.

• Test Blueprints are derived from periodic Practice

Analysis of the profession.

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Examination Items

• Items for the Examination are:

• Written by practicing OHNs.

• Four levels of editing are used in preparation to be

placed in the exams.

• Not scored until proven “valid”.

• Conform to the roles and activity statement within each

role.

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ABOHN Examinations

• Current ABOHN COHN, COHN-S and Case Management

exams are updated to reflect the changing practice of

Occupational Health Nursing based on the 2011 Practice

Analysis.

• How many items are on the exam?

• COHN/COHN-S – 135 graded items and 25 pre-test items.

• Case Management - 100 graded items and 10 pre-test items.

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Time for Exams

• How much time do I have to take the exams?

• COHN/COHN-S – 3 hours

• Case Management – 2 hours

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Pre-test Items

• What is a “pre-test” item?

• These are items inserted into the candidate’s exam in

order to develop good data on possible new items for

each examination.

• These pre-test questions do not count for or against the

candidate’s final score.

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Preparation for the Exams

• Since practices are so varied, ABOHN’s certification

examinations are designed to represent a broad reflection

of practice, therefore, no two professionals will prepare for

the examination in exactly the same way.

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Exam Data

• This is a rough guide of data collected from previous

passing candidates.

• Study time prior to the exam:

• COHN/COHN-S - 20 weeks/10 hours per

week/approximately 136 hours.

• CM - 3 weeks/ 6 hours per week/approximately 33

hours.

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Recommendations for Study

• The following steps are recommended for studying:

• Perform an occupational health knowledge self-

assessment by using the ABOHN examination Test

Blueprint and Core Content lists found in each

examinations handbook.

• Classify and identify topics for intense study and those

for simple review.

• Establish a realistic weekly study schedule and STICK

TO IT!

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ABOHN Handbooks

COHN, COHN-S and CM Handbooks

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Recommendations for Study

• The following steps are recommended for studying cont’d

• Gather resources (find information in the exam

handbooks under resources for materials used to write

the examination questions.)

• Use the Core Curriculum written by Mary Salazar.

• Reach out to others, find a study partner or group.

• Take a review course.

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Linking to the COHN Test

Specifications

• Items constructed for ABOHN examinations are based on

the Test Specification for Certified Occupational Health

Nurse (COHN).

4 Roles for COHN

• Clinician

• Coordinator

• Advisor

• Case Manager

• Content of the items must fall within the role of knowledge outlined in

the test specification statement or it cannot be used.

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Linking to the COHN-S Test

Specifications

• Items constructed for ABOHN examinations are based on

the Test Specifications for Certified Occupational Health

Nurse-Specialist, COHN-S.

5 Roles for COHN-S

• Clinician

• Manager

• Educator

• Consultant

• Case Manager

• Content of the item must fall within the role of knowledge outlined in

the statement or it cannot be used.

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Linking to the Case

Management Examination

Specifications

• Items constructed for ABOHN examinations are based on

the Test Specifications for the certified Case Manager

(CM).

• 4 OHN Case Management categories

• Fitness for Work

• Occupational Disability

• Non-Occupational Disability

• Case Management Concepts

• Content of the item must fall within the role of knowledge outlined in

the statement or it cannot be used.

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Evaluation

Planning

Implementation

Assessment

Nursing Process

“A Method of Caring for Patients”

1

2

3

4

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Nursing Process

• Items for the examinations are written in accord with the

Nursing Process.

• Assessment – Process of collecting, verifying and

communicating relevant patient data

• Planning – Process of establishing desired patient

outcomes and designing strategies to achieve those

outcomes

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Nursing Process

• Items for the examinations are written in accord with the

Nursing Process.

• Implementation – Process of initiating and completing the

nursing actions to accomplish the defined outcomes

• Evaluation – Process of measuring the patient’s response

to treatments, medications and nursing actions and

progress toward achieving defined outcomes

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Level of Difficulty (Bloom’s Taxonomy)

Knowledge (Recall)

Comprehension

Application

Analysis

Evaluation

Create

Le

ve

l o

f D

iffi

cu

lty

* *

Memory

Reasoning

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ABOHN’s Writing Goals

Memory

• Define

• Describe

• Identify

• Recall

• Recognize

Reasoning

• Apply

• Analyze

• Anticipate

• Assess

• Compare

• Prioritize • most, best, first, initially,

essential, increased)

• Decide

• Evaluating (patients’ statements)

Reasoning

90%

Memory

10%

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Examination Questions

• When examination questions are written:

• Item writers always keep in mind that they are writing

for a minimally competent Occupational Health Nurse.

• Entry is considered at a two year level of experience in practice.

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Memory Questions

• Recalls specific information, definitions

• Facts e.g. OSHA, standards, guidelines

• Techniques e.g. procedural techniques

• Terminology

• Classifications

• Training for the prevention of exposure to bloodborne pathogen

hazards for emergency workers is required by the

a. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

b. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

c. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). *

d. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS).

Example

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Reasoning Questions

• Reasoning questions require examinees to take several

pieces of knowledge and apply them to a situation.

• You should know: the question being asked and the

topic.

• When you review a question on the Bloodborne

Pathogens Standard: know before answering the

question to treat all human blood and related material

as infectious for bloodborne pathogens.

Thought Process

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Assessment Phase

The nurse is performing a (an) . . . . on a patient with . . . Which of the following findings should the nurse anticipate?

The nurse is gathering information on a patient with pneumonia. Which of the following findings is consistent with the patients’ diagnosis?

a. Stridor

b. Crackles *

c. Prolonged inspiratory phase

d. Prolonged expiratory phase

Obtains information, gathering data about patient’s health to

determine nursing care needed.

Assessment Example

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Planning Phase

The OHN is preparing to begin a new vaccination program. What action by the OHN would best ensure proper vaccine storage and handling?

a. Designate one person to be responsible for all aspects of vaccine storage and handling.

b. Record refrigerator temperatures twice daily and maintain logs for three years.*

c. Check vaccine expirations and discard all multi-dose vials 30 days after opening.

d. Store vaccines on a shelf and store food in a separate area of the refrigerator.

Development of goals, strategies and

outcomes for appropriate care

Planning Example

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Implementation Phase

The nurse is caring for a patient with a history of . . . Which of the following actions by the nurse would represent appropriate care of this patient?

The nurse is caring for a patient with type I diabetes mellitus. In mid-afternoon, the patient becomes pale and tremulous.

What action should the nurse take first?

a. Take the patient’s vital signs

b. Call the primary care provider

c. Perform a blood glucose finger stick test*

d. Administer prescribed insulin

Provides the required nursing care

or supervision of others providing care

Implementation Example

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Evaluation Phase

The nurse is caring for a patient with . . . Which of the following statements by the patient would alert the nurse to a (complication of the condition)?

The nurse is caring for a patient with a permanent pacemaker. Which of the following statements by the patient would alert the nurse to a possible pacemaker failure?

a. “I am nauseated and may vomit”

b. “I feel dizzy and lightheaded”*

c. “I have a severe headache”

d. “My feet are quite swollen”

Involves communication with patient, data interpreted,

nursing diagnosis formulated

Evaluation Example

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Evaluation Phase

An employee is returning to work after having a laminectomy due to lifting 50 lbs while working in the factory. The injury was reported to the occupational health nurse at the time of injury. Upon his return to work the employee states he will never lift anything again at work. What should the OHN recommend to the employee?

a. Attend a work hardening program until he can lift a minimum of 10 lbs.

b. Refer the employee to the Human Resource Department for placement.

c. Refer the employee to a Independent Medical Examiner for evaluation.*

d. Recommend the employee should go home until something can be found for him to do.

Consulting with an independent provider for a evaluation

Evaluation Example

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Using Case Scenario as

Description of a set of Circumstances

• While working on the line during the eleventh hour of his

third, successive 16-hour shift, Mr. Peterson experiences

a loss of consciousness, falls, and hits his head. Mr.

Peterson’s loss of consciousness results in a trip to a

local hospital’s emergency department for evaluation.

• The first step in the diagnostic process for Mr. Peterson is most

likely to be a

a. computed tomography scan.*

b. glucose tolerance test.

c. blood test for hyperlipidemia.

d. thallium stress test.

Case Scenario

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References

All items

have at

least one

reference

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Test –Taking Strategies for

Certification

• Learn the materials and review the specific ABOHN

handbook as you go along.

• Make sure you understand the information as you are

learning. That way, you won’t have to “re-learn” it or

have to “cram” a great deal of information at one

time.

• Use the COHN/COHN-S and CM Test Blueprint as

your study guide along with the Core Content Areas.

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Clinician Role

• Assessment in the COHN-S Handbook you need to

know:

• how to take a history.

• understand the components of post-offer/pre-placement

health assessment.

• review health surveillance issues of individuals/groups for

specific hazards (e.g. hearing conservation, respiratory

protection and laser safety).

• monitor regulations affecting nursing practice (e.g.

licensure.)

• know how to identify physical requirements to fulfill essential

job functions.

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Clinician Role

• Planning in the COHN-S Handbook you need to know

how to:

• interpret results of screening tests and how to/or where to

refer individuals.

• be able to recommend changes in job status to

accommodate workers’ health.

• be able to recommend hierarchy of controls for specific

hazards.

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Clinician Role

• Implementation in the COHN-S Handbook you should

be:

• familiar with employee health recordkeeping (e.g.

maintaining, OSHA).

• computer software application for employee health

information (informatics).

• able to recognize and respond to ethical issues.

• able to treat work-related injuries or illnesses.

• provide direct care for non-work illnesses and injuries.

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Clinician Role

• Implementation in the COHN-S Handbook requires

you to :

• review health promotion, disease prevention screening

tests (e.g. cancer screening, blood pressure monitoring,

cholesterol).

• understand the use of the employee assistance program

referral program.

• provide individual counseling on what to do in specific

areas.

• understand all the components of audiometry, pulmonary

function and vision testing.

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Clinician Role

• Implementation in the COHN-S Handbook you must:

• understand and assure confidentiality of personal health

information

• how to comply with the codes of ethics, legal or

regulatory requirements.

• understand and be able to implement the policies and

procedures for maintaining confidentiality.

• know the rules of maintaining OSHA’s required logs and

documents.

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Clinician Role

• Evaluation in the COHN-S Handbook requires you to

be able

• to evaluate the quality of care in your department.

• understand root cause analysis.

• be prepared to analyze illnesses and incidents for

the exam.

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Other Roles

• To analyze the rest of the “Test Blueprint” you will have to

review all the materials listed in the:

• Manager

• Educator

• Consultant and

• Case Manager categories of the Blueprint.

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Core Content

The next step in your preparation will be to review the

“Core Content Areas”.

• Many of these areas could reasonably be expected to be

represented on the COHN-S certification examination.

• In combination with the “Test Blueprint” areas, the “Core

Content” outline can serve as an excellent means to

organize study and preparation for the exam.

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Certification Self Assessment

Test (CSAT)

• ABOHN has a CSAT booklet for each of the exams.

• The CSAT is an asset for individuals pursuing

certification.

• Written by certified occupational health nurses.

• Conforms to the current blueprint and core content of

each exam.

• Provides written rational for each correct answer.

• May help assess your readiness to sit for the COHN-S

exam.

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During the Exam

• Get to the testing site early and relax by taking a few

deep breaths and try to relax your muscles.

• Answer the easiest questions first, to help yourself calm

down.

• Look for the central idea of each question before

answering.

• Read each question carefully and pay attention to the

details of the case situation. Be sure to keep the focus

of the question in mind. Identify who is impacted by the

activity in the question and then move to the role of the

OHN.

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During the Exam

• Focus on key words in the stem of the question, such

as “first”, “most”, “initially”, “best”, etc. These words

are printed in boldface and italics to attract your

attention.

• Remember that you do not have to answer every

question correctly to pass the test. The passing score

is about 71% correct.

• As you read a question, anticipate what the correct

answer will be.

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During the Exam

• Read each of the four choices carefully. Even if the first

option sounds correct, read all four options before

choosing your answer. Often you will find that another

option is a much better answer.

• The correct answer will remind you why the other option

is not correct. In the examination, there is only one

correct answer; all of the other answers are incorrect,

”NOT” partially correct.

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During the Exam

• Although the question may ask you to select the best

option or asks what the OHN should do initially, only

one option is correct.

• Do not read into the question. Answer the question

based only on the information that is presented, even if

you think the answer might be too easy. We do not

have tricky questions and the test is not trying to trick

you.

• Do NOT be afraid to change an answer. Contrary to

popular belief, research has shown that changing

answers is generally appropriate.

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During the Exam

• More often than not, test takers change their answers to

the correct one.

• Do NOT spend too much time on any one question.

• If you feel very uncertain about one of the content areas

on the test, you may find it helpful to complete the other

areas first and leave the problem area for last.

• For example, if you feel that your knowledge of

chemical exposures is weak, complete the questions in

the other areas, and leave those questions for last.

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During the Exam

• Some of the questions in the other areas might trigger

your memory and help you recall information about

chemicals and the effects of exposures to them.

• Be aware of the time. Pace yourself during the test.

Because the test includes many scenarios, there is a

great deal to read on the Certification Examination.

• Check your responses. Be especially careful when you

skip a question with the intention of getting back to it

later.

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Taking the Exam - Summary

• Prepare yourself intellectually, emotionally and

physically for the examination.

• Be confident!

• Think positively!

• Use test taking tips!

These approaches should help improve your

performance on the certification examination.

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Renewal and Recertification

• What is the difference between Renewal and

Recertification and why are they required?

• What is the process for Renewal?

• What is the process for Recertification?

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Renewal and Recertification –

Why are they required?

• Renewal is required every year to keep your

credential in “ACTIVE” Status. • The Renewal process is required to keep your home and work information

current.

• Recertification is required every year to keep your

credential in “ACTIVE” Status. • The Recertification process is required to assess your continued practice

in the field. A valid Recertification process is required by NCCA, and the

process must demonstrate its “requirements measure or enhance the

continued competence of certificants.”

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Renewal and Recertification

Renewal

• Yearly reminder sent the

month before your

credential expires.

• $150.00 fee due each

year.

• Requires updated contact

information.

• Available online.

Recertification

• Yearly reminder sent the

month before your

credential expires.

• $150.00 fee due each

year.

• Requires a completed

application and

submission of

documentation.

• Available online.

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Recertification Eligibility

Core Credentials (COHN and COHN-S)

• An active non-restricted RN license

• 3000 hours of occupational nursing experience gained

within the previous 5 years (recertification cycle)

• 50 continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours in

occupational health*

Case Management

• 10 continuing nursing education (CNE) contact hours in

occupational health case management*

*Cannot use the same contact hours for the core credentials and case management

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Recertification Guidelines

Work Experience

• 3000 hours in paid OHN within the previous 5 years. • ABOHN requires a copy of your job description(s) to be sent in with your

recertification application.

Exceptions to work experience

• Graduate program (Occupation Health related), MSN or

Baccalaureate* program completed within the previous 5

years

• Maximum of up to 750 hours for a Baccalaureate or MSN degree

• 2000 hours for a Graduate degree program related to occupational

health (through a NIOSH Education and Resource Center)

*Baccalaureate degree does not need to be in nursing. Copies of transcripts are

required. Specific classes can be correlated to OHN education.

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Recertification Guidelines

Continuing Education

• Must be related to Occupational Health

• Must be related to your job description(s)

• Must be related to the Test Blueprint and/or Core Content

listed in ABOHN’s exam handbook.

Not accepted as Continuing Education

• Basic Nursing Courses

• Basic CPR Courses

• CPR Instructor and/or renewal courses

• First Aid or First Aid Instructor courses

• Basic computer courses

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Alternatives

to Continuing Education

• Formal Education (One quarter = 10 contact hours, One semester = 15 contact hours)

• Graduate program (Occupation Health related), MSN or Baccalaureate* program

completed within the previous 5 years

• Formal education can be used for either continuing education or work experience.

Not both.

• 60 min. of classroom = 1 contact hour

• Professional Presentations – Max. 10 hours • Documentation of professional presentations related to occupational health

• Brochure or letter from sponsoring agency which describes the title and time of your

presentation

• Certificate or other documentation that indicates approval of contact hours – (1 hour

of presentation = 1 contact hour)

• Publications – Max 10 hours • Published manuscripts related to occupational health

• Refereed journal (must be evidenced) – up to 5 contact hours

• Non-refereed– 1 contact hour

• Manuscripts accepted or in press will not be accepted 65

Alternatives

to Continuing Education (continued)

• Board Service – Max. 10 hours • Evidence of service as a director on a local, state or national board of directors

related to occupational health nursing

• 2 contact hours per year of service

• Precepting – Max. 10 hours • Evidence of service as a formal preceptor for students in the field of occupational

health

• Course must be offered by an accredited college or university.

• The theme, topic or objective must be related to OHN as defined in the examination

outlines(s)

• At least 6 hours of face-to-face interaction with student.

• See recertification handbook for additional requirements.

• Item Writing – 1 question – 1 contact hour

• Each question must be accepted and added to an ABOHN

examination item bank

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Summary

Renewal and Recertification

Core Credentials – COHN and COHN-S

• Renewal – Every year (fee and documentation)

• Recertification – Every five years (fee and documentation)

• Active Non-restricted RN license

• 3000 hours in paid OHN within previous 5 years

• 50 contact hours related to OH within previous 5 years

Case Management

• Additional 10 contact hours related to Case Management.

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THANK YOU

ABOHN

For additional information please contact:

American Board for Occupational Health Nurses

201 East Ogden, Suite 114

Hinsdale, IL 60521

(630) 789-5799 or (888) 842-2646

(630) 789-8901Fax

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