Certified Nephrology Nurse 2025
As a Certified Nephrology Nurse, you care for patients with kidney disease or kidney dysfunction. Your work takes you to a variety of settings, including acute care hospitals, home nursing and dialysis clinics.
To become a Certified Nephrology Nurse, you must complete an application and pass a certification exam administered by the NNCC. The exam comprises 150 questions, and a passing score requires that you get more than 70% correct.
Free CNN Exam Practice Test Online
CNN Questions and Answers
A CNN nurse, also called a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS), is a specialized type of registered nurse with advanced clinical expertise in nursing practice.
The Certified Nephrology Nurse (CNN) is a medical specialist who has completed specific training and satisfies certification criteria to care for patients with renal disease.
Nephrology Nurses Week is an annual event sponsored by ANNA to recognize the committed nephrology nurses caring for patients with kidney disease. September 11–17, 2025, will be designated Nephrology Nurses Week.
- The first step is admission to an accredited nursing program. You must have completed at least two years of college-level studies in Science or Liberal Arts with courses such as Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition, Pathophysiology, and Microbiology. Once accepted into an accredited nursing program, you will need to complete the necessary coursework for your degree in Nursing with an emphasis on acute care settings. After completing your degree, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
- Once all requirements are fulfilled, you can seek employment opportunities as a CNN nurse. Depending upon the length of training in specific clinical areas, such as telemetry or ICU, may be required before being offered full-time employment by the hospital or other healthcare facility where you hope to practice as a registered nurse (RN). Many hospitals provide specialized certification programs developed by professional associations like the Association of Critical Care Nurses (ACCN), which offers programs like Certified Nurse Educator (CNE), Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (CPNP), CCRN Certification Program and many more certifications that specialize within specific areas of Advanced Practice Nursing like Cardiac Systems Specialty Certification (CSSC) from AACN – American Association of Critical Care Nurses; Emergency Nursing Specialty Certification Program(ENSCP) from BCEN – Board Of Certification For Emergency Nursing; Trauma Certified Registered Nurse Course/Certification(TCRN) from BONENT – Board Of Nephrology Examiners In Nursing And Technology; etc. Some employers also require Higher Degrees, such as Doctorate Degree in Advanced Practice Nursing. Some universities offer specialization courses in specific fields, such as Acute Care Adult-Gerontology Primary Care CNS certified through ANCC American Nurses Credentialing Center, while others require RNs to have Master’s degrees with various specializations available depending upon the intended field within advanced practice nursing, including Clinical Research Coordinator roles related towards population health management sector, etc.
- In addition to formal education, there are several types of professional development activities recommended for anyone interested in becoming a successful CNN nurse: continuing education regarding the latest trends relevant to patient care & treatment models, attending conferences & conventions related to further understanding theories behind newer evidence-based practice protocols; mentoring junior staff members newly hired along with actively participating within team projects design geared towards improving patient safety plus satisfaction scores throughout different units established under same organization; volunteer experiences outside traditional job assignments revolving around comprehensive range diseases both common yet complex wherein closer look should be given via studying papers published leading experts on the particular subject matter followed up reading material published through medical journals plus popular articles are written public press outlets, etc.
- First and foremost, you must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of specific nursing instruction in Nephrology as part of your studies toward becoming a Registered Nurse (RN). Those 12 semester hours must include courses related to Renal Physiology and Pathophysiology, Renal Pharmacology, Hemodialysis or Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) theory/skills and management with laboratory practicum AND Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Assessment & Management.
- You may complete this coursework at any accredited school offering an Associate’s or Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing and specialized Nephrology programs at some universities, including The University of Santo Tomas College of Nursing and Ateneo de Manila University School of Medicine & Public Health. To qualify for certification once you have completed your degree program, you must also pass the Philippine Nurses Licensing Examination (PNLE), administered by the Board Of Nursing every March or September. You must then receive permission from the Professional Regulation Commission to take the Certified Nephrology Nurses Exam (CNCE). This exam consists of three parts; Clinical Knowledge/Case Study Writing Exams on nephrological conditions diagnosis and treatment processes; Skills Assessment Exams that cover dialysis-related tasks such as hemodialysis set-up procedures through accurate calculations for dialysate components preparation; And finally, Standardized Written Examination, which covers an extensive list of topics related to renal medicine.
- The CNCE is conducted annually by The Philippine Association Of Nephrologists Inc., under its Continuing Professional Education Program, in partnership with various healthcare institutions nationwide. Upon successful completion, you will become eligible for listing on their official Registry Listing under the “Certified Nephrology Nurses” category.
Nephrology Nurse Practitioner Jobs
A nephrology nurse practitioner is an advanced nursing professional who works in the field of kidney disease treatment and management. They are often found working in physicians’ offices, hospitals, and other medical facilities that deal with kidney issues.
Nephrology nurse practitioners are responsible for collaborating with a number of other health care professionals to ensure that patients receive the highest quality of care. They help their patients with a variety of health conditions and issues, including dialysis, hemodialysis, and renal transplants.
In addition to managing patients, nephrology nurses provide education and support to their patients and their families. They also provide referrals to specialists and help keep lists of patients who need kidney transplants updated.
Nephrology nurses have a wide range of employment options, and many choose to specialize in specific areas of kidney care. These include pediatric nephrology and dialysis.
Nephrology Nurse Practitioner Salary
A Certified Nephrology Nurse is a nursing professional who is trained to assist nephrologists in the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of kidney diseases. They may work in a number of different healthcare settings, including hospitals, dialysis centers, chronic kidney disease clinics and primary care practices.
A career as a Certified Nephrology Nurse can be highly rewarding. With the growing prevalence of kidney-related illnesses and an aging population, the demand for these nurses is high in multiple areas of healthcare.
As a Certified Nephrology Nurse, you would need to possess outstanding clinical skills and in-depth knowledge of kidney-related treatments and procedures. Furthermore, you would need strong communication and emotional intelligence to effectively support patients through challenging healthcare journeys.
A career as a Nephrology Nurse is one of the highest-paying nurse practitioner jobs available today. This is mainly because of the level of responsibility that this career entails.
American Nephrology Nurse Association
The American Nephrology Nurse Association (ANNA) improves the lives of its members through education, advocacy, networking, and science. ANNA is a national nursing organization with more than 8,500 members across the United States and Canada.
ANNA is dedicated to nurturing every nephrology nurse so they can influence kidney health and make a positive difference in patients’ lives. The Association promotes excellence in the profession, provides readily accessible educational programs, and facilitates nephrology nurses’ participation in leadership at the local level through chapter involvement.
Specialized knowledge and skills are required to provide the best care for nephrology patients. To meet these needs, ANNA offers certification in nephrology nursing and several online educational resources to support a nursing career in this important specialty.
ANNA also supports its chapters, which are comprised of members from throughout the country. Chapters circulate news and information to the National Office, engage their members in local advocacy issues, develop nephrology nursing leaders at the regional level, and promote ANNA’s reputation as a leading nephrology professional organization. Interested nephrology nurses should contact their local nephrology nursing chapter for more information about joining a chapter or becoming a chapter leader.
Certified Nephrology Nurse Application
As a certified nephrology nurse, you have fine-tuned skills when it comes to assessing kidney function and establishing effective treatment plans for your patients. You also have empathy and attention to detail.
As a nephrology nurse, you have many opportunities to work in various settings. You can work at a hospital, clinic, physician’s office or home healthcare agency to assist patients with their kidney health needs.
The job requirements for this role vary by employer, but you must be a licensed registered nurse with at least a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in nursing and have completed 30 contact hours of approved continuing education in nephrology. You must also pass the CNN exam, which is administered by the Nephrology Nursing Certification Commission (NNCC).
A nephrology nurse can work in multiple types of care environments, including acute care, home dialysis, transplant units and outpatient dialysis clinics. They can also work in a research setting, providing direct patient care while developing new ways to treat nephrology diseases.
Certified Nephrology Nurse Course
Nephrology nurses play a pivotal role in assessing, diagnosing, educating and treating patients with kidney disease. A career in nephrology nursing offers many opportunities for advancement.
Nurses who specialize in nephrology can earn a specialized certification that will boost their employment prospects. Currently, nephrology nursing is one of the most popular nurse specialties, with an increasing demand for nurses with this expertise.
Certified nephrology nurses work in a variety of healthcare settings, including dialysis clinics and hospitals. They also manage home dialysis programs, which allow renal patients to receive treatment in their own homes.
A career in nephrology nursing can be a rewarding and challenging one, with a high salary and good job security. You will need to keep up with current medical advances in your specialty area by reading niche medical journals and attending conferences.
If you want to become a certified nephrology nurse, you can enroll in an accredited nursing program or college. A bachelor’s degree in nursing is typically the minimum required to qualify for a nephrology nurse certification, but you can earn a master’s degree in a specific area of interest. Once you meet the prerequisites, you can apply to take the nephrology nurse certification exam.
Certified Nephrology Nurse Requirements
Nephrology nurses provide care to patients with a variety of kidney problems. They may work in a hospital, dialysis center, or in a patient’s home.
The requirements for becoming a certified nephrology nurse include a nursing diploma or degree, a licensure exam, and specialized experience. You should also complete approved continuing education in clinical nephrology.
A nephrology nurse is an RN, LPN, or LVN who works with patients who have kidney disease or are at risk for developing it. These nurses perform intervention care and assist with administering medication.
Dialysis is a life-saving treatment for patients with end-stage renal disease. It filters the blood to remove toxins and fluids that the kidneys can’t handle.
In addition, nephrology nurses help people with other medical conditions that affect the kidneys. These health issues may include diabetes, high blood pressure, and substance abuse.
To become a certified nephrology nurse, you must have at least two years of experience working in a hospital or other facility with patients who are on some type of renal replacement therapy. You must also have a full and unrestricted RN license.
Certified Nephrology Nurse Study Guide
A certified nephrology nurse (CNN) is a health care professional who has undergone specialized training and certification to provide patients with kidney related health issues. This medical field has a large and growing population of patients with both acute and chronic kidney disease. The certified nephrology nurse is an important member of the healthcare team as they oversee patient care, educate patients and their families about kidney related health matters, and help maintain quality of life. The nephrology nursing credential is the gold standard for this niche field.
Prepare for the big one with our comprehensive nephrology nurse test prep guide. We have a wide selection of practice questions in multiple formats to suit your specific learning style and test taking preferences. The nephrology nursing test is about three hours long and takes place at testing centers nationwide. There are numerous nephrology nursing associations throughout the country to assist you in your quest to become a certified nephrology nurse. You can also find online nephrology nurse forums where you can ask questions and receive answers from like-minded peers. Lastly, you can learn more about your profession and the nephrology nursing industry by becoming a member of the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).
Certified Nephrology Nurse Training
If you are interested in a career that involves helping patients with kidney diseases or abnormal kidney functions, then you may want to consider becoming a certified nephrology nurse. This career option provides a variety of job opportunities and salary options, as well as the opportunity to specialize in certain areas of nephrology.
Nephrology nurses work in a wide variety of healthcare settings, including acute care, home training, and outpatient dialysis clinics. They are also often found in transplant units, where they help patients get new kidneys.
They are knowledgeable about kidney conditions and how to diagnose them, as well as treat and administer medications to keep their patients healthy. In addition, they know how to perform dialysis, which helps patients with end stage kidney disease live longer.
To become a certified nephrology nurse, you need to complete a nursing program that includes training in nephrology and a nephrology clinical internship. You must also pass a certification exam through the American Nephrology Nurses Association (ANNA).