The ILNA Renewal Method

The Individual Learning Needs Assessment (ILNA) is a new certification renewal method that will be available beginning in 2016. The first group to use the ILNA method will be nurses who attain or renew OCN®, AOCNP®, AOCNS®, CPHON®, or CBCN® certification in 2012.

ILNA will combine a learning needs assessment, based on the current certification test blueprint, with an individualized learning plan that is focused on identified gaps and limitations in knowledge. ILNA will help to ensure that every certified nurse has broad current knowledge in all of the subject areas represented by the credential.

In brief, here's how the ILNA renewal method will work:

  • The certified nurse will complete an online assessment of the subject areas that correspond to the certification test blueprint. The assessment is not a test. A candidate cannot pass or fail.
  • The results of the assessment will indicate the nurse's knowledge strengths and weaknesses, and identify areas or knowledge gaps where further professional development is needed in order to renew certification.
  • After completing the assessment, the nurse will complete professional development activities in the subject areas identified by the assessment. These activities will earn points toward certification renewal..
  • The professional development activities may include the nurse's choice of accredited continuing nursing education, continuing medical education, academic education, professional presentations or publications.
  • The point value of activities will vary, as with the current ONC-PRO point system. One hour of continuing nursing education or continuing medical education will equal one point.
  • The number of points required for renewal, as well as the subject areas, will vary from nurse to nurse depending on their performance on the assessment. .
  • All renewal candidates will be required to earn a minimum of 25 points, regardless of their performance on the assessment. Those who have no identified knowledge gaps will be able to select the content (subject areas) of the 25 points..

Nurses who are renewing certification for the first time after testing in 2012 or later will not need to take the assessment. Instead, these nurses will use the score report from their certification examination to identify their learning needs for the first recertification cycle.

Special Notes for AOCN® & CPON® Certified Nurses
Because no current certification test blueprints on which to base an assessment are available for the AOCN® and CPON® credentials, nurses who hold these certifications may continue to renew by the Oncology Nursing Certification Points Renewal Option (ONC-PRO). AOCN® and CPON® certified nurses will be required to earn 100 points in professional development activities, the majority of which must be specialty-focused. For AOCN®, this means at least 65 of the 100 points must be of oncology content. For CPON®, at least 80 of the 100 points must be of pediatric content, and at least 50 must be of pediatric oncology content.

Learn more! Review these additional resources for more information about ILNA: