NLN Certification Volunteer Opportunities

If you are a nurse educator who is certified through NLN certification programs you can volunteer in several ways. Volunteering is not only a great opportunity to advance your career, but also to help advance other nurse educators and the nursing education profession. Get recognized for your work by the NLN!

Volunteer as a certification test item writer

There are currently three certification examinations. The test item writing committees are separate committees with each one committed to specific exams. Some volunteers participate in more than one committee in the item writing process. The program appoints items writers for a two-year term, and the item writing group meets annually to generate new questions. This has now become a virtual activity with video meetings and conference calls.

Requirements

To volunteer for this assignment, a current curriculum vita should be submitted to the director of the certification program. The CV will be reviewed by the test development chairperson and those selected will be assigned to a committee based on the applicant’s request, experience, and talents.  To submit your CV for consideration, email it to Larry Simmons, Director of Certification Programs, at lasimmons@nln.org.

Serve on a test development committee

Next, preferably after experience as an item writer, you may wish to serve on a test committee. The committee member is asked for two years of service by appointment. The committees meet annually face-to-face at the offices of the test platform provider for psychometric review of active items, review of newly written items, and revision of test items if needed. Other meetings required during the year are done in the virtual mode. 

To submit your CV for consideration, email it to Larry Simmons, Director of Certification Programs, at lasimmons@nln.org.

Apply to serve as an elected NLN Board of Commissioner

The applicant progresses through the nomination process, as do all applicants for NLN elected positions. The Certification Nomination Committee gives special attention to applicants who have served in the above capacities. There are normally two positions on the Board that become open annually. The elected term of office for the Board is three years. Many Board members continue to serve on the item writing or test development committees.

Anyone applying to the Board of Commissioners should understand that the Board position brings responsibilities, such as required attendance at all Board meetings, committee assignment work, and being an active participant on one of the test item writing committees.