CNA Hospice Palliative Care Certification

Certification Information

If you are a registered nurse providing hospice palliative care to your patients then you want to consider the benefits of certification. 

The CNA provides a Study Guide to assist you in preparing for the exam.  You can also contact your Palliative Pain & Symptom Management Consultant extra help in your area. 

The DeSouza Institute has an online Study Group, free of charge, that assists nurses to prepare for the exam.

www.desouzanurse.ca

We have outlined the Eligibility Criteria because you do need to plan ahead. 

The exam is offered once a year in April and your application must be submitted by a date in October, the previous year.

Eligibility Criteria - General Information

You must meet all of the criteria in either option
A or option B (listed below) to apply for certification.

• All experience earned during the eligibility criteria time frame must be earned as a registered nurse.

NOTE: Experience as a registered practical nurse, registered psychiatric nurse, licensed practical nurse or other healthcare provider will not be considered.

• Eligibility criteria must be met by the time you submit your application to CNA.
• Provide all necessary documentation in order to prevent delays in processing your application.
• Complete all information requested on the application forms clearly and in full for your eligibility to be accurately determined.

Eligibility Criteria - Initial Certification

NOTE: One full-time year = 1,950 hours

Option A: For all nursing specialties, except occupational health   (all criteria apply)

• You must be an RN with current registration/licence in Canada.
• You have accumulated a minimum of 3,900 hours as a registered nurse in your nursing specialty over the past FIVE years, either full time, part time or casual.
• You have had the Endorsement and Verification of Experience section of the application form completed by your supervisor or a consultant in the specialty.

Option B: For all nursing specialties, except occupational health  (all criteria apply)

• You must be an RN with current registration/licence in Canada.
• You have successfully completed a nursing degree (e.g., BScN, BN) or a post-basic nursing course or program in your specialty of at least 300 hours (copy of official documents required and must be included with your application).
• You have accumulated a minimum of 1,950 hours as a registered nurse in your nursing specialty over the past THREE years, either full-time, part-time or casual.
• You have had the Verification of Experience and Endorsement section of the application form completed by your supervisor or a consultant in the specialty.

NOTE: If you are counting post-basic education as part of your eligibility criteria, you must submit a copy of your degree, certificate or diploma, or transcripts of your final marks, with your application. Failure to include this proof of completion will delay processing your application.