What are the benefits of joining CACCN?
Membership in CACCN offers:
- A strong, unified voice for critical care nursing in Canada.
- Educational opportunities, with Continuing Learning Hours, at the local and national level.
- Opportunities to publish in “The Canadian Journal of Critical Care Nursing™”.
- Opportunities for nurses to “share their stories and experiences” at a local or national level
- Opportunities for research funding as well as awards, grants and bursaries
- Opportunities to network with peers from across the country
What is Certification – CNCC(C) and CNCCP(C) – and who is responsible for the examination?
- Certified Nurse in Critical Care (Canada), (CNCC(C)) and Certified Nurse in Critical Care Pediatrics (Canada), (CNCCP(C)) is the designation for critical care nurses who write the certification examination for critical care.
- This examination is developed and administered by the Canadian Nurses Association as one of the many specialty designations available to nurses in Canada. CACCN has worked closely with CNA to develop the initial examinations for adult and paediatric critical care and continues to collaborate with CNA to revise and promote the examinations.
Do I have to hold critical care certification to be a member of CACCN?
- While CACCN does encourage nurses to write the examination as a means of promoting professional development, this is not a requirement of CACCN Membership.
If I apply to write the critical care certification exam or renew my certification am I automatically a member of CACCN?
- Certification does not automatically provide CACCN Membership.
Do I have to be a member of the Canadian Nurses Association to be a member of CACCN?
- No, you can join CACCN even if you are not a member of CNA.
I am interested in working in Canada as a critical care nurse. Am I eligible to become a member and can you help me find work?
- Yes, you may join CACCN if you do not live in Canada.
- CACCN cannot assist you with finding work in Canada. For information on working in Canada, please contact the Canadian Nurses Association.
Does CACCN set standards for the nurse to patient ratio for practice?
- CACCN does not set a specific standard for nurse to patient ratio as there are numerous factors that must be taken into account when considering safe patient care, such as: the physical design of the unit, the patient population, the experience of the nursing staff, the availability and type of support from allied health, and the acuity of the patients. CACCN does recognize the growing body of literature that acknowledges better patient outcomes are achieved with lower nurse to patient ratios.