How to Become a Certified Assisted Living Nurse
To prepare for the exam, you will want to think about your knowledge base, skills and experience. The four areas that are tested in the certification exam are recognizing the content outline shown at the American Nurses Credentialing Center website for their certification exams.
The four areas and the approximate percent of questions/items in each area of the AALNA Certification Exam for Assisted Living Nurses are:
- The Aging Population (approx. 20% of items): includes demographics, social and health issues; theories of aging; communication; and end-of-life care issues.
- Review of Systems, Assessment, and Care Planning (approx. 50%): common health problems of the older adult; interventions; pharmacotherapeutics.
- The Organization of Health Care delivery (approx. 15%): regulations, reimbursement (Medicare/Medicaid), federal regulations (e.g., ADA), retention and discharge issues in AL.
- Professional Practice (approx. 15%): includes management theory and style, staff development and performance evaluation; research and informed consent; negligence; ethical issues in practice; delegation and decision-making; budget issues.
AALNA has made a few preparation resources available to help participants prepare for the assisted living certification exam.
There is a pre-recorded webinar that has been created by the AALNA board, which was designed to provide a review of the specific concepts covered on the exam. The exam can only be purchased while registering for the exam, and access to the preparation course and exam are given at the same time. In addition, the is recommended as a study tool and a highly valuable resource for any assisted living nurse.
Also see our recommended reading/book list, which can be found below. For study and refresher purposes, select a book specific to gerontological nursing practice and care of the older adult. There is no text or book for assisted living nursing management practice. However, some nursing administration books will provide information about management theory and practices, budget preparation, staff development, etc.
In preparation for the certification exam, you will also want to become familiar with the Scope and Standards of practice of Assisted Living Nursing.
Steps for Certification
1. Apply for the exam.
Complete and submit an Application for Examination for Certified Assisted Living Nurse online by Clicking Here. Or, you may submit the completed application, appropriate fees, and affidavit by regular mail.
Note: Member fee: $150, Non-member fee: $250
2. Wait for your password validation.
After submitting your application, affidavit and fees, you will receive a password and instructions on how to take the exam within 10 working days. You will then have up to 120 days to complete the exam. If you exceed 120 days to complete the exam, you will then have to re-apply, with another application and fee.
3. Complete the exam online.
Once you begin the exam, you must complete the 100 question exam. You may not go back to the exam, once you have exited the exam. Complete instructions will be sent to you.
4. Wait for results.
Within 5 working days, you will receive your test results. You must have a passing score of 75% or better. If you do not pass the exam, you may pay a $15.00 processing fee each time and retake the exam.
5. Receive Certification.
Upon meeting the prerequisite requirements, and successfully passing the exam, the RN or LVN/LPN will receive a certificate that the they are a “Certified Assisted Living Nurse.” We suggest that you present this certificate to your employer as evidence of your commitment to assisted living and to your professional advancement.
Suggested Books: Assisted Living Nurse Certification Exam
CLINICAL:
- Ebersole & Hess. Gerontological Nursing and Healthy Aging.
- Lueckenotte AG. Gerontological Nursing. 2000
- Resnick B. Restorative Care Nursing for Older Adults: A guide for all care settings. 2004
- Eliopolous C. Gerontological Nursing, 6th ed. 2005
- Lubkin IM. Chronic Illness: Impact and Interventions. 2002.
- Mezey MD, Fulmer I, Abraham I. (eds). Geriatric Nursing Protocols for Best Practice.2nd ed.
- NY: Springer. 2003. (3rd edition due 2007).
- Zembrzuski C. Clinical Companion for Assessment of the Older Adult. Albany: Delmar/Thompson. 2001
- Gallo JJ, Bogner HR et al. Handbook of Geriatric Assessment. 4th ed. Jones & Bartlett. 2006
- Comer S. Geriatric Nursing Care Plans. Albany: Delmar/Thomson. 2005
- Fulmer TT, Foreman MD et al. Critical Care Nursing of the Elderly. 2nd ed.NY: Springer. 2001.
MANAGEMENT:
- Huber D. Leadership and Nursing Care Management. Phila: Saunders. 2000.
- Marquis BL & Huston CJ. Leadership Roles and Management Functions in Nursing. Phila: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.
- Mitty EL. Handbook for Directors of Nursing in Long-Term Care. Delmar/Thompson. (ppr)
- Saba VK et al. Essentials of Computers for Nurses: Informatics for the New Millenium. NY: McGraw-Hill.
PROFESSIONAL:
- Scope and Standards of Assisted Living Nursing Practice: AALNA website
- Competencies of the Assisted Living Nurse (RN, LPN/LVN): AALNA website
- Powers BA. Nursing Home Ethics: Everyday Issues Affecting Residents with Dementia. NY: Springer
WEBSITE RESOURCES:
- www.GeroNurseOnLine.org: Current best practice information; includes assessment protocols and tools, interventions, evaluation.
- www.NursingCenter.com: AJN Series on Nursing Care of Older Adults. “A New Look at the Old.” Evidence based humanistic care on a variety of topics; excellent series.