ABCGN Recertification Program Changes for 2013

Effective January 1, 2013, ABCGN will be implementing the following changes to its recertification program:

1. All recertification applications will need to be submitted using ABCGN’s online recertification application.
2. ABCGN has added another category—Category 13: Involvement in other GI related organizations or publications--to help candidates amass the necessary contact hours.
3. Due to escalating operating expenses, ABCGN is increasing the recertification fees by $50 ($10 per year).

The online system exactly mimics the paper application and is a quick and easy method to submit without the hassle and cost of mailing the paper application. It is also a convenient system for tracking contact hours over the five-year period.

As with the paper application, certificates and back-up documentation are not required with the initial submission. If randomly selected by ABCGN for audit, you will be contacted and asked to provide this additional documentation.

ABCGN staff is happy to assist you with this process. We know you will find it’s much simpler to keep track of your hours within the online system, and a quick and convenient way to recertify.

In response to inquiries, ABCGN has decided to broaden the areas of study for the CGRN to maintain national certification. Category 13: Involvement in other GI related organizations or publications has been added. Two (2) contact hours per year will be awarded for involvement in these GI focused professional organizations as an officer, committee/task force member at the regional or national level or as an appointed publication editor/reviewer. Minimum GI specific hours granted will be 2, maximum 10.

With the economy still struggling, recertification makes all the sense in the world for 2013. Recertification reflects your ongoing commitment to gastroenterology nursing.

There have been significant changes in the recertification program over the past five years, including:

• Categories have been added.
• Modifications have been made in minimum/maximum requirements.
• Online systems implemented

All these enhancements were made with you, the CGRN, in mind, but they do come at a price. Beginning in 2013, the fee to recertify is increasing by $50 or $10 per year to $350 for SGNA members ($435 for non-members). This is the first increase in several years and is necessary to cover ABCGN’s increasing expenses. For those of you who participate in the submit per year program, you will need to pay the extra $10 only for the years you have remaining till recertification.