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Heart failure nurses are specialists with an exclusive interest in and passion for improving outcomes in patients with heart failure.With this passion comes the need to continuously grow in the field and improve patient care.
Becoming a Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN) or a Certified Heart Failure Nurse- Knowledge based (CHFN-K) confirms your knowledge to patients and their families, peers and employers. Certification serves as a mark of clinical knowledge in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of the plan of care for patients with heart failure.
Certification demonstrates your desire to keep current in heart failure and advance your career. By becoming a CHFN or CHFN-K, you represent nurses with a solid knowledge base in heart failure who can be consultants, clinical specialists, educators and managers of heart failure care. When CHFNs were surveyed, they reported that certification opened the door to recognition, promotions, raises, and awards.
Since 2011, over 1,500 nurses have become Certified Heart Failure Nurses. It’s your turn to become certified and receive this prestigious mark of distinction.
“ We have had a heart
failure program since
1995 and after attending
AAHFN meetings, I
realized being a certified
heart failure nurse would
raise the credibility
for our program. All 4
of our nurses took and
passed the exam.
When we received our
advanced heart failure
certification from The
Joint Commission, they
were impressed with the
continuity of our program
from inpatient through
outpatient clinics and
telehealth all provided
by CHFN’s. ”CLAIRE CALL,
Springfield, IL
The Mark of Distinction
1120 Route 73, Suite 200
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
P: 888.452.2436 • F: 856.439.0525
[email protected] • www.aahfn.org
Tips for Certification Success
By becoming a CHFN or CHFN-K, you are committed to advancing
the field; providing your patients and the heart failure community
with the highest quality of care. In a study published in the
American Journal of Nursing, certified nurses reported greater
confidence when making clinical decisions1. The examination
validates your knowledge, experience and clinical judgment in
diagnosing, treating and managing patients with heart failure,
proving to yourself, patients and peers that you are fully capable
of providing general heart failure-related care.
The CHFN or CHFN-K designation reflects your willingness to
learn and adapt positively to new evidence related to heart failure
assessment, care planning, interventions/treatments and
evaluation of care delivered.
1 Cary, A.H. (2001). Certified Registered Nurses: Results of the Study of the Certified Workforce. American Journal of Nursing, 101(1), 44-52.
Commitment to Yourself and Your Patients: Why You Should Become a CHFN® or CHFN-K™
“ Our patients deserve to have qualified and dedicated Heart Failure nurses to
walk alongside them through their healthcare
journey. The personal rewards are unlimited
when you know that you ARE making a
difference in the lives of these patients.
You become their trusted friend. Thank you
AAHFN for giving me this opportunity! ”JANE GALLES,
Hayward, WI
CHFNCHFN-K
The Mark of DistinctionMake your mark as a leader in the field.
Become certified in the only heart failure
nursing certification in the country.
www.aahfn.org
Attend a Certification Review Course
Review a Heart Failure Study Guide
Attend a Certification Review Webinar
Create a Study Group with Your Peers
Review the AAHFN-CB Examination Content Outline
Visit AAHFN.org for a listing of suggested resources,
study guides and sessions that are available to help
assist in preparation for the exam.
CHFN-KKNOWLEDGE-BASED
™
CHFN-KKNOWLEDGE-BASED
™
CHFN-KKNOWLEDGE-BASED
™
Top Five Reasons to Become a CHFN®:
1
2
3
4
5
CHFNs and CHFN-Ks receive formal
recognition (via credentials) of
specialized knowledge in heart failure
care and commitment to providing
optimal patient care.
Patients have better outcomes when
care is provided by certified nurses.
In a study of nurses certified in
rehabilitation (CRRNs), length of patient
stay was shortened 6% for every 1%
increase in certified nurses on the unit2
CHFNs and CHFN-Ks gain personal
pride in accomplishment and an
informal commitment to providing heart
failure care based on best practices
and evidence-based practices.
Hospital administrators understand
that certification reflects specialized
knowledge in the field. Certified nurses
are desired.
Your institution or practice may reward
certified nurses with increased pay,
reimbursement of test expenses and
advancement in a clinical ladder
program. Your institution may also
pay for educational courses to assist
in your maintenance of continuing
education in heart failure.
2 Nelson A, Powell-Cope G, Palacios P, et al. Nurse staffing and patient outcomes in inpatient rehabilitation settings. Rehabilitation Nursing. 2007;32(5):179-202.
“ I chose to obtain the CHFN certification to demonstrate to my patients my
commitment to having the specialty knowledge, skills and experience
they deserve as I help them navigate living with heart failure. ”CAROL BJORKMAN,
Plano, TX
“ Taking the Heart Failure certification exam was one of the wisest decisions
that I have made as a heart failure practitioner. Preparing for this exam forced
me to truly understand the very complex pathophysiology of heart failure and the
management of this condition. In turn I feel that because of this certification I am
a much better nurse and able to guide and care for my patients. ”SUE HENKE,
Orange, CA
Accessible Testing:
Where You Can Take the CHFN® and CHFN-K Exams
The CHFN and CHFN-K exams are offered in a paper format at the AAHFN Annual Meeting.
Paper Exam Application Window
March 1 – May 10
The CHFN and CHFN-K exams are offered through computer based testing (CBT) at testing centers across the country.
CBT Application Window CBT Testing Window
December 1 – January 31 March 1 - 31
June 1 – July 31 September 1 - 30
September 1 – October 31 December 1 - 31
Visit www.aahfn.org to locate a testing facility in your area.
OR
Certification Testing Fees AAHFN Member Non-AAHFN Member
Paper Exam at Annual Conference
$275 $375
Computer Based Testing (CBT) Exam
$350 $450
*Please note there is a $30 processing fee for all paper applications submitted
Renewing Your Certification
CHFNYour heart failure certification is valid
for three (3) years. Before your three (3)
year anniversary you must renew your
certification either by documenting your
40 heart failure continuing education
hours and professional development or
by retaking the certification exam.
CHFN-KYour heart failure certification is valid
for three (3) years. Before your three (3)
year anniversary you must renew your
certification either by documenting fifty
(50) heart failure specific continuing
education hours and professional
development or by retaking the
certification exam.
CHFN-Retired or CHFN-K RetiredThis credential is intended for those
who are retiring from HF nursing. This
credential would allow nurses who want
to stay involved with what is going on in
heart failure nursing (i.e. membership,
annual meetings, etc.) however are no
longer practicing in heart failure.
For additional details of recertification requirements or retirement credentials go to www.aahfn.org.
CHFNCHFN-K
CHFN• Hold a current, active RN license within a state or territory of the United States or the professional,
legally recognized equivalent in another country and have practiced full time as a registered
nurse for at least two (2) years or its equivalent that equates to approximately 4160 hours.
• Have a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical practice working in a field of nursing caring
for heart failure patients within the last two (2) years. Note: this requirement equates to
approximately 29% of time in clinical practice of heart failure in the previous 2 years.
• Have completed 30 hrs of continuing education within the last two (2) years, of which a
minimum of 15 hours must be focused directly on care of patients with heart failure. Must be
completed at the time the exam application is submitted
CHFN-K• Hold a current, active RN license within a state or territory of the United States or the
professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country and practiced as a registered
nurse (previously or currently) for at least five (5) years full-time or its equivalent that equates
to approximately 10,400 hours.
• Have a BSN or equivalent bachelors degree plus 2,400 hours experience in your current role
OR Have a Masters plus 2,080 hours experience in your current role
• Have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education focused directly on care of patients
with heart failure in the last two (2) years. Must be completed at the time the exam application
is submitted.
• Be able to briefly explain in your current job how you indirectly touch patients with heart failure
or complete some action in your role that is heart failure specific
CHFN or CHFN-K?Are you a clinical nurse that provides direct
care to patients with heart failure? Or, are you
a non-clinical nurse who works in heart failure,
but in an indirect capacity? Perhaps you conduct
heart failure research, or you are an educator/clinical
instructor to college students in a heart failure specialty
area, or you work in an industry whose business includes
heart failure work? Read the eligibility criteria carefully to see
which certification you are qualified to apply for. The examination
is the same for CHFNs and CHFN-Ks.
CHFN-KKNOWLEDGE-BASED
™