THE AMERICAN HOLISTIC NURSES
CREDENTIALING CORPORATION
ITEM-WRITER’S HANDBOOK
FOR AHNCC NURSES EXAMINATION
AHNCC, 2002, 2008, 2011, 2012, 2016
Not to be reprinted without
Permission of AHNCC
Table of Contents
Welcome letter to Item-writer……………………………………………………… 3
Item Submission Guidelines & Form ……………………………………..…….. 4
Interactive Letter of Agreement……………………………………………………. 7
Appendix A
AHNCC General Guidelines for Examination Item Writing……………… 8
PTC Guidelines and Information on item writing………………………… 9
Appendix B
Standards and Competencies for the Holistic Nurse………….…...... 15
•Basic Competencies ……………………………………………. 15
•Advanced Competencies………………………………………… 21
Appendix C
Holistic Nursing Core Values and Competencies by Level of Certification. 27
Appendix D
Standards and Competencies for the Nurse Coach...... 31
Core Values and Competencies by Level of Certification...... 38
THE AMERICAN HOLISTIC NURSES
CERTIICATION CORPORATION
Dear Colleague,
Thank you for your interest in the work of AHNCC. We appreciate your assistance in the matter of item-writing for our examinations. At no time will your name be associated with any item, although you can request CEs, required for Recertification, by completing the Request for Continuing Education Units at the end of this Handbook. Enclosed in this handbook you will find several documents, listed according to their purposes. See below:
The AHNCC Item Submission Form and Letter of Agreement Needed to Submit Your Items (pp. 4-7).
1. This is the form you will use to write and submit your items (pp.4-7).
2. AHNCC’S Item Writer’s Letter of Agreement is attached to the end of the Submission Form (p.8). It is necessary that we maintain security at all time. Therefore, we ask that you carefully read this Letter of Agreement before you sign it. This letter must be signed and submitted at the same time as you submit the items. An electronic signature (i.e. /name typed/) will be accepted. Your items will not be considered for inclusion in our examinations, nor will you earn CEs for item submission without a signed Letter of Agreement.
Appendix A: Guidelines (Information to Help You Develop Your Items, pp. 8-14).
1. AHNCC’s General Guidelines For Writing Examination Items includes information about the format, preparation, and submission of your items.
2. PTC’s Item Development Guidelines provides general guidelines for item preparation. This set of guidelines was developed by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC).
Appendix B and C: Holistic Nursing Standards and Competencies (To Guide Your Item Writing Process, pp. 15-30).
1. There are two sets of Holistic Nursing standards and related competencies shown here.
a) The first set (pp. 15-20) list the standards and competencies for Basic Holistic Nursing.
b) The second set (pp. 21-26) list the standards and competencies for Advanced Holistic Nursing. Competencies 44-52 are for the APHN-BC examination only.
2. Appendix C follows (pp 27-30) these documents showing linkages among the competencies and AHNA Core Values, leveled by certification type, i.e. Basic Holistic Nursing: HN, HNB; Advanced Holistic Nursing: AHN, APHN (APRN); and Nurse Coach: NC-BC. You can refer to these to level your items by type of examination (i.e. Basic, Advanced, or Advanced Practice).
Appendix D: Nurse Coach Standards and Competencies; and Standards, Competencies and Core Values (pp. 31-39).
Thank you for your assistance in the ongoing work of the Certification Processes of Holistic Nurses. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us for clarification ().
Peace and blessings to you and yours,
Margaret Erickson, PhD, APRN, AHN-BC
Executive Director AHNCC
AHNCC’S ITEM SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Please use this online form to submit your items. Items can be typed DIRECTLY into this form.
First, indicate the examination that you are addressing. Simply click in the box behind the name of the examination.
Next determine which standard you want to write items to test. The Standards for the Holistic Nursing examinations can be found in Appendix B (pp. 15-30) and those for Nurse Coaching are in Appendix D (pp.31-38). The competencies are listed immediately below each standard. Select the standard that you want to write items to test (click in the box), and then select the competency (write the number associated with the competency on the line). For example, the first standard for Basic Holistic Nursing (Assessment) and the first two competencies is shown below.
1. ASSESSMENT: The holistic, registered nurse collects comprehensive data pertinent to the healthcare consumer’s health and or the situation. The Holistic Nurse:
1. Centers self before interacting with client.
2. Elicits client story (to reveal context and complexity of the human health experience).
If you choose to write an item to test assessment skill and knowledge, click in the Standard 1 box, select which of the list of competencies (1-27) that your item will test, and write that number on the blank line.
Write your stem and potential answers in the blank lines. Type in the gray areas; as you type the space will expand. Do not worry about formatting, just keep working!
Thank you for your help in this essential aspect of the Certification Process
START HERE. TELL US WHICH EXAMINATION YOU ARE WRITING ITEMS TO TEST.
The following items are written for the HN-BC Examination ; HNB-BC Examination ; AHN-BC Examination ; APHN-BC Examination ; or the Nurse Coach Examination .
USE THIS FORM TO TYPE IN YOUR QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.
Item 1. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 2. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 3. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 4. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 5. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 6. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 7. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 8. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 9. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
Item 10. Standard: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Related Competency:
.Write your Stem here : (write response #1 here) (write response #2 here) (write response #3 here) (write response #4 here) Write reference #1 here: Write reference #2 here:
THE AMERICAN HOLISTIC NURSES
CREDENTIALING CORPORATION
ITEM-WRITER’S LETTER OF AGREEMENT
I, understand that I am submitting items for the AHNCC Certification Examinations based on the precepts of Holistic Nursing. I understand that the Basic Level Examinations are for the HN-BC (i.e. the Holistic Nurse, Board Certified at the Non-BSN level) and the HNB-BC (i.e. Baccalaureate in Nursing Holistic Nurse, Board Certified at the BSN level); the Advanced Level Examination is for the AHN-BC (i.e. Advanced Holistic Nurse, Board Certified at the Graduate level) and the APHN-BC (i.e. Advanced Practice Holistic Nurse, Board Certified at the Graduate level); and the NC-BC is for the Nurse Coach Role, Board Certified Registered Nurse. I also understand that my signature below indicates that I am qualified to write items for the specific examination that I have indicated on the Item Submission Form and below.
I understand that the items I submit are for the sole use of AHNCC certification examinations. I also understand that once submitted, the items become the property of the American Holistic Nurses Credentialing Corporation (AHNCC) and that there are to be absolutely no copies of any items I submit nor any records or documents of item content maintained in my possession after they are submitted for use. Furthermore, I understand that I am to maintain security of all items submitted by promising that I will never discuss, write, talk about, share or communicate in any other way the content of the items. Finally, I understand that I am to submit the one and only copy of these items to PTC and then destroy this form, removing it from my computer
Please use the following Checklist to assure compliance of the above agreement. Place your initials in each blank line to indicate your agreement.
My items were developed using references as indicated on my submission form
All items are typed using Times Font Size 12.
The stem of each item asks a single question and is written in positive form (i.e. no negatives in the stem, such as the word not).
All items have four response options, are multiple choice, and one correct answer only.
No responses are written as All of the above, or A and b above.
I have identified the correct answer by using a key such as * or #.
References are written in APA format.
All copies of these items will be destroyed as soon as I receive a receipt from AHNCC for my work. No paper copies, digital copies, hard-drive copies, or other types of copies are retained by myself or anyone to my knowledge. If I do not hear from PTC within 2 days, I will contact them to ensure my email arrived.
I understand that I am not to disclose anything about about these items and never to use my items for other purposes.
The information listed below, followed by my signature, indicates that I am qualified to write items for the certification examination: HN-BC Examination ; HNB-BC Examination ; AHN-BC Examination ; APHN-BC Examination ; or the Nurse Coach Examination .
Level of Practice Practice setting Focus of practice
Highest educational degree Geographical location (city, state)
AHNCC Certification #
I sign this agreement with complete willingness to participate according to the standards and criteria stated above.
Signature Credentials Date
APPEDIX A
GENERAL GUIDELINES FOR WRITING EXAMINATION ITEMS
THE AMERICAN HOLISTIC NURSES
CREDENTIALING CORPORATION
Overview
AHNCC’s Specific Directions for item preparation are listed below. It is important that you read these carefully; they describe the format required for item submission. After that, you will find seven (7) pages of general information prepared by the Professional Testing Corporation (PTC). The PTC administers our examinations and runs statistical analysis to assess for reliability. Their guidelines will help you write good items. We recommend that you read the entire set of guidelines before you start writing. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at .
AHNCC Specific Directions for Submission of Items
A. Select the Standard that you want to address, consider your expertise. Review the Standards and related Competencies in Appendix B to help you decide.
B. Select the competency you wish to address. You will find them directly under each Standard.
C Format: Write single stem items with 4 possible answers. ONLY one answer can be correct. Alternative answers might be similar to the correct answer, but must be clearly wrong. No double negatives can be included in the responses. All questions must be brief and unambiguous. All items require two references. References can be any published, recognized, and circulated book, article or other publication that addresses the art and/or science of the Holistic Nursing as described in the AHNA/ANA Holistic Scope and Standards of Practice (AHNA/ANA, 2007), pages 8-17.
D Preparation of Items: The AHNCC Item Submission Form is interactive, so you should be able to type directly onto the form. Remember, include at least two references immediately below the item; use APA format. For example: Frisch, N.C., Dossey, B.M., Guzzetta, C.E., & Quinn, J.A. (2000). American Holistic nurses standards of practice: guidelines for caring and healing. Gaithersburg, MD: Aspen. Repeat this process until you have finished. To receive CE credit, you must submit at least 5 items. If you wish to write more, we’ll be happy to receive them.
E Submission of Items: When you are finished writing items, SAVE the entire file in a safe, and secured location that can be easily retrieved. Complete, sign, and date the Letter of Agreement included in this packet. You can use an electronic signature, i.e. /your name/. Send the entire packet to and copy AHNCC. AHNCC will send you a receipt for your files. Retain your receipt to document that you have earned CE credits for your work. AHNCC will not be able to send you a copy; it will be your responsibility.
F Protecting security of the items. Once you have received your receipt, be sure that you have destroyed any and all documents that you have used to create these items. This includes any copies you’ve made, notes, and all other documents used in the drafting of said items.