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Green and Purple Succulents

Welcome CGN Applicants!

Here you will find all the detailed instructions and templates necessary to complete your portfolio application.
Let's get started
 

The Genetic/Genomic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Edition (2016) outlines the essential attributes for nurses practicing in genetics and genomics. Within each of the 16 standards, detailed competencies for baccalaureate and advance degree nurses are described. NPCC has used the Genetic/Genomic Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Edition, as the basis for credentialing requirements. Each aspect of the application corresponds to at least one of the requisite standards.
 

NPCC recommends that applicants reference the Genetic/Genomic Scope and Standards of Practice, 2nd Edition (2016) as they complete the application process. It will be particularly helpful as a guideline when writing the case studies and in understanding the rationale used in evaluating each application.

STEP 1.
Review, download and complete your

  • Practice Hour &

  • ​Continuing Education Spreadsheets

PRACTICE HOURS

For initial certification:

  • CGN – 750 practice hours in genetics in last three years.


For renewal certification:

  • CGN – 1,250 practice hours in genetics in past five years.


List all positions beginning with the most recent (three years for initial certification, five years
for recertification).


Indicate the total number of hours/weeks in a nursing position.


Indicate the percentage of time (number of hours per week) directly related to genetic practice.
Practice hours can be through employment or volunteer service.


Faculty can use hours of direct clinical supervision of students for clinical practice. The direct
clinical supervision must be in genetics/genomics.


The supervisor letter submitted with the application should confirm the practice hours listed. If
you have changed jobs, multiple letters may be required to confirm practice hours.


If you are self-employed, you must submit a statement attesting that you have practice the
minimum number of practice hours in genetics/genomics and it must be notarized prior to
submission.


Audit: We may contact supervisors and colleagues to confirm the number of hours submitted.

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CONTINUING EDUCATION

For initial certification:
CGN – 30 contact hours in the past three years.

For renewal certification:

CGN – 75 contact hours in the past five years, including 25 hours in pharmacology (averaging 15 contact hours and 5 hours in pharmacology each year).

 

Contact hours should be formally approved contact hours directly related to genetics/genomics. Additional contact hours above the requirement that are related to genetics/genomics should also be included. Formally approved contact hours meet one or more the following criteria:

  • CNE by an accredited provider,

  • CME approved for CME hours,

  • Sponsored by organizations accredited by ANCC, ACCME, ACPE or the Commission on Dietetic Registration.

 

Provided by one of these accepted agencies:

  • American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP)

  • National Association of Pediatric Nurse Associates and Practitioners (NAPNAP)

  • American Nurses Association

  • American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)

  • American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM)

  • American Psychiatric Association (APA)

  • American Psychological Association (APA)

  • American Psychiatric Nurses Association (APNA)

  • American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA)

  • Emergency Nurses Association (ENA)

  • National Association of Nurse Practitioners in Women’s Health (NPWH

This is not a complete list, and other agencies that are approved providers of clinical education
may be acceptable. Please check with the provider for more information.

 

  • Independent study or e-learning approved by one of the listed providers, including online courses, authored articles, etc.

  • Contact hours for other health care disciplines applicable to genetics. For example, social work, counseling, pharmacy, etc. are acceptable.

 

Academic coursework – This can include academic courses that are taken toward degree completion or as independent study courses, providing they are applicable to genetics/genomics. Academic credit received for a thesis or dissertation related to genetics/genomics is acceptable. However, if a thesis is used to meet this requirement, it cannot also be used to fulfill the research requirement. Repeat courses not accepted, you may claim credit only once.
Recently graduated students, please note: 50% of required contact hours can be earned through academic courses taken within the last three years. 50% must be earned while in an employment setting post-graduation.

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Academic coursework can be converted to contact hours as follows:

  • 1 contact hour = 1 CME or 0.1 CEU or 60 minutes.

  • 1 academic semester credit = 15 contact hours.

  • 1 CEU = 10 contact hours.

  • 1 academic quarter credit = 12.5 contact hours.

Audit: If your record is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents such as a copy of the completion certificates showing the dates, title, number of contact hours, sponsoring organization, etc. In addition, you may be required to provide evidence of the applicability of the course to genetics/genomics.

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Click the buttons below to download these files. 

STEP 2.
Review, download and complete your

  • Publication,

  • Presentation, &

  • Research spreadsheets

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

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For initial certification:

  • CGN – three in the last three years.

For renewal certification:

  • CGN – three in last five years.

 

There are five categories of professional development: presentations, publications, research, preceptor hours and professional service. Some categories have multiple opportunities for fulfillment. To complete the certification requirement, you can complete all of your requirements in one category, or they can be from multiple categories.

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For instance, for initial certification, you can complete three presentations; alternatively, you could complete a presentation, a publication and a research study. Both would fulfill the initial certification professional development requirement. All professional development activities related to genetics/genomics above those required should be included.

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You should provide a brief description of each professional development activity.

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A. Presentations:

Lecture – Include the title of presentation, all authors, date and place. You must be the primary presenter of a first-time presentation. The presentation must be delivered: In a structured teaching/learning framework to nurses, other healthcare providers or the public as part of conferences, grand rounds, in-services, seminars, CD-ROM content, internet-based or other e-learning formats, teleconferences, patient/family teaching or public education.

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Poster Presentation – A poster presentation at a conference, an outside organization or within your organization.

At least one of the presentations must be peer-reviewed. Examples of peer-reviewed presentations include abstract submissions/presentations for conferences and presentations in which CEUs are offered from accredited organizations.

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Do not submit the following, as they are not accepted for certification:

  • repeat presentations of the same material,

  • modifications of the same material or presentations for which you served as a panel moderator.

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Additional presentations that fulfill the above criteria and related to genetics should be included.

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Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents, such as a copy of the presentation outline, abstract, letter accepting your abstract or letter inviting you to speak, as well as evidence that you actually presented the topic (e.g., a letter of thanks on official letterhead).

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B. Publications:

Include the title of publication and all authors, where and when published ((indicate if it is a peer-reviewed journal), intended audience. Publications must meet at least one of the following criteria:

  • One article in a peer-reviewed journal or a book chapter related to genetics/genomics. You must be the author, co-author, editor, co-editor or reviewer.

  • Three different articles related to genetics, published in a non-peer-reviewed journal or newsletter.

  • Content related to genetics using an e-learning and/or other media presentation. You must be the primary author.

  • Grant application for a federal, state or national organization project related to genetics/genomics. You must be the primary grant writer, and grant writing cannot be a primary component of your job responsibilities.

 

Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents including: a copy of the article(s) with journal information and date; a copy of e-learning document that clearly states you were the author; or a letter from the publisher. For a grant submission, a copy of the grant summary abstract and a letter from the grant sponsor acknowledging receipt of your application.

 

C. Research:

Research must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Complete a research project related to genetics/genomics within three years of application (initial) or five years (renewal), for which you are clearly identified as one of the primary researchers or principal investigators.

Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents such as IRB approval/exemption letter, a one-page abstract of 250 words or less describing the research study and the time period when the research was conducted.

  • Complete a dissertation, thesis or scholarly project related to genetics/genomics.

Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents such as the dissertation, thesis or approval letter and a one-page abstract of 250 words or less describing the dissertation, these or project and the time period during which it was conducted.

  • Serve as content reviewer on an IRB, dissertation, thesis or scholarly project that is not a component of your employment duties.

Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents from the organization describing the work and dates you served as reviewer on official letterhead.

  • Serve as content expert reviewer of other activities related to genetics/genomics such as content reviewer for journal article, software, e-learning, etc.

Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents from the publisher and/or organization describing the work and the dates you served as reviewer on official letterhead.

STEP 3.
Review, download and complete your

  • Preceptor &

  • Volunteer spreadsheets

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT:

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Continue professional development including preceptor hours and professional service. 


D. Preceptor Hours:

Preceptor hours must meet one of the following criteria:

  • Complete a minimum of 120 hours as a preceptor providing direct clinical supervision or teaching to students in an academic program related to genetics/genomics.

  • Provide a minimum of 120 hours of clinical supervision related to genetics/genomics in a formal fellowship, residency or internship program at the same practice level or higher.

 

For either option, the following applies:

  • CNS and NPs must precept APRN, medical, physician assistant or pharmacy students in an academic program related to genetics/genomics.

  • Orientation preceptor hours not acceptable.

  • Preceptor hours cannot be counted toward certification practice hour requirement.

Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents showing the hours, objectives, outcomes and location of the preceptorship, signed by the institution responsible for the person being precepted.

 

E. Professional Volunteer Service:

Complete two or more years of volunteer service within the past three/five years with an international, national, state or local health care-related organization in which your genetics/genomics expertise is required. Accepted volunteer activities include serving on boards of directors, committees, editorial boards, review boards, task forces and medical missions.

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Audit: If your application is audited, you will be required to submit supporting documents including an official description of your volunteer duties and a detailed summary of 500 words or less describing the impact of this service on your ability to obtain new knowledge in genetics/genomics. You will also be required to submit an official letter or other document from the organization attesting to your service and the dates of service.

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STEP 4.
Review, download and prepare your case studies.​

Initial applications also need to include the following:

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Case Studies:

Four case studies within the past three years; the case studies should include a brief summary of the nurse’s encounter with a client regarding genetic assessment. Case studies are typically three to five typewritten pages. Each case study should address one of the following four areas of clinical practice:

  • Legal/ethical considerations,

  • Collaboration with other professionals,

  • Challenging client interactions,

  • Unexpected findings.

 

See templates and an example in the Case Study section of the online application. *Please include a computer generated or drawn pedigree with each case study.

STEP 5.
Review, download and share with your Supervisor(s) and Peers, the 

  • Supervisor evaluation &

  • Peer evaluation

Evaluation of Performance:

Download the blank evaluation form from the platform and submit to the appropriate colleagues for completion. Two evaluations must be submitted, preferably one from a peer, and one from a supervisor. Upload the completed forms.

 

Verification of Employment/Job Responsibilities/Validation of Case Studies:

A signed letter from a direct supervisor on letterhead verifying employment, job responsibilities, validation of hours and case studies should be uploaded when complete.

STEP 6.
Provide your license, transcript(s) and CV/resume.

For initial applicants, NPCC will evaluate requirements for the past three years. For renewal applications, we will evaluate requirements for the past five years.

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Licensure and Education:

Copy of current RN license and an unofficial copy of transcript(s) with the highest level completed.

For renewals: If this is your first renewal through NPCC, we require an unofficial copy of your latest transcript(s) for our files. Include a copy of your current genetics credential.

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CV/Resume:

  • Education – include all educational preparation, all graduate work and all education related to genetics.

  • Employment – include the last three positions held and the percent of time devoted to genetic care at each position.

  • Accomplishments – List memberships in professional organizations and duties/offices held.

 

List publications/presentations beginning with most recent. Include a description of any activities or accomplishments not included in other sections of the application. Examples include attendance at national or regional conference, awards, honors, promotions, commendations, coaching, mentoring, policy or legislative development, professional organizations, participation in media or software development, etc. In progress activities or in-press publications will not be accepted.

Once you've completed all documents noted on this page, double check each for completion and proceed to the Complete My Portfolio page to submit your portfolio for credentialing! 
 

If you have questions during the application process, contact NPCC by email at headquarters@nurseportfolio.org.
 

NPCC is proud to be the credentialing commission for genetic and genomic nursing, and we look forward to providing this important credential to well-qualified, practicing nurses in genetics and genomics clinical care.

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