Strategic Plan Goals:

MA Standards – Establish minimal evidence clinical competencies for MAs and define tasks beyond scope of practice to increase patient safety outcomes by creating a position statement.
Chairs: Hillary Durstein, MSN, APRN-C, CUNP and Beth Ebner, BSN, RN, CURN

Patient Education - Develop and disseminate education for patients.
Chair: Jennifer Delegee, BSN, RN, CWOCN

Urology RN Value - Make the business case for the role of the Urology RN and promote the role of the RN in the development of staff competencies, training, and education by creating a position statement.
Chairs: Kimberly Lyons, RN and Mary Emmett, RNFA, CURN

Volunteering for CBUNA is both personally rewarding and a prestigious opportunity for your own career advancement. Openings for CBUNA committees or short-term task forces are announced via email and the CBUNA website as they become available. Please complete and submit the CBUNA Willingness to Serve Form to cbuna@ajj.com to indicate your interest in CBUNA volunteer opportunities.

Download the Willingness to Serve [Word]

Download the Willingness to Serve [PDF]

Committee for the Practice Analysis

The committee is comprised of a Chairman, CBUNA Board members, and other volunteers who are CBUNA certified but not members of the Board. The committee is chosen for the specific exam level, utilizing a variety of clinical experiences, practice settings and represent a diverse geographical background. These members present with strong communication and leadership skills who work in conjunction with C-NET to develop a list of activities, demographic data and knowledge, skills and abilities that are the basis for the Practice Analysis/Role Delineation survey tool. Following data collection, the task force reviews the survey results and makes recommendations for the test specifications. The practice analysis also delineates and differentiates the roles of the NP from the registered nurse. Most importantly, a practice analysis is performed every five years to be sure the test reflects current practice and is kept up to date.

Committee for Test Development

This committee is comprised of a Chairman, CBUNA Board members, and other volunteers who are CBUNA certified but not members of the Board. The committee is chosen for the specific exam level, utilizing a variety of clinical experiences, practice settings and represent a diverse geographic background. Members of the Test Development Committee are considered “content experts” concerning the knowledge and skills needed by urologic specific level for safe practice.  These members present with strong communication and leadership skills and work in conjunction with C-NET to develop and write test questions to meet the CBUNA blueprint requirements.

Each question on the test can be linked directly to the tasks/activities in the practice analysis survey. The test committee meets in person to review, evaluate, and write test questions. To be certain that the test content is accurate, all questions are supported, using the most recent edition of the SUNA Core Curriculum for Urologic Nursing and/or other references as recommended in the section online entitled” Suggested Reading Material.”

The test consists of 175 questions that match the test blueprint. Some of the questions are new experimental or “pilot” questions that are not scored.  Pilot testing of new questions allows for the evaluation of questions to determine if they are valid before they become scored questions.

Committee to Set the Passing Standard (Angoff)

This committee is comprised of a Chairman and at least five CBUNA certificants, appropriate for the specific exam level. Members of this committee possess strong communication and leadership skills and serve as subject matter experts (SMEs). These members are geographically diverse with a wide variety of clinical experiences, practice settings and years of practice. This committee works in conjunction with C- NET, our testing agency to develop the passing score of the newly developed examination using the Angoff procedure. During the Angoff procedure, each test question is reviewed to determine its level of difficulty. The passing score is determined based on the SME panel’s estimation of the level of difficulty required to identify individuals who have an acceptable level of knowledge and skill. Therefore, each candidate’s test score is measured against a predetermined standard, not against the performance of other test takers.

These texts may be ordered from the publisher or from a local medical bookstore. They may be available in your hospital or medical library. It is not suggested that you purchase all of these texts.

Study Texts

American Urological Association. (2017). Guidelines at-a-glance: A quick reference for urologists – 2017. Retrieved from http://www.auanet.org/guidelines

Gomella, L. (Ed.). (2014). The 5-minute urology consult (3rd Ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins.

Hanno, P., & Wein, A. (2014). Penn clinical manual of urology (2nd Ed.). Philadelphia: Saunders Elsevier.

Lajiness, M., & Quallich, S. (Eds.). (2016). The nurse practitioner in urology. Switzerland: Springer International Publishing.

Maternik, M., Krzeminska, K., & Zurowska, A. (2015). The management of childhood urinary incontinence. Pediatric Nephrology ,30, p 41–50. DOI 10.1007/s00467-014-2791-x
McAninch, J.W., & Lue, T.F. (2013). Smith & Tanagho’s general urology (18th Ed.). New York, NY: Lange

Medical Books/McGraw-Hill Medical Publishing Division.

Newman, D.K., Wyman, J.F., & Welch, V.W. (Eds.). (2016). Core curriculum for urologic nursing. Pitman, NJ: Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA).

Skidmore-Roth, L. (Ed.). (2016). Mosby’s 2016 nursing drug reference (29th Ed.). St. Louis: Elsevier Mosby.

Additional References

Urologic Nursing, the Official Journal of the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates. Join SUNA or Subscribe

CBUNA Links with Health Care Industry and Organizations to Promote Excellence in Education

The Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA) has expanded its mission to include the promotion of excellence in the clinical education/training programs offered by the health care industry and organizations (hereafter referred to as corporations).

In response to an identified need from corporations to achieve recognition of their industry associates as having completed an educationally sound program accredited by an external, non-biased organization, CBUNA designed and created an accreditation process. The process is divided into three stages.

In the initial stage, CBUNA reviews the educational program that has been designed and implemented by the corporation seeking accreditation. The Board specifically seeks to ensure that the program is educationally sound, reflects current standards for safe clinical practice, and offers a balanced presentation of all diagnostic or treatment modalities for specific clinical conditions or disorders. Based on results of the review, the corporation’s educators are provided an opportunity to revise any content that does not meet these criteria. Following revision, the educational program is reviewed by the Board for final approval.

The second phase of the process is a review of the testing materials used by the corporation. Testing materials need to encompass the range of content presented in the program. Ideally, the testing material is comprised of multiple-choice questions. There is no minimum number of questions required, but there should be enough to adequately test the material presented. There also needs to be a sufficient number of questions that the corporation can vary for different classes, ensuring that successful completion of the test reflects mastery of the content covered in its educational program. The Board will consult closely with the corporation seeking accreditation to establish a fair and standardized testing procedure and to provide advice regarding standards for testing, and for test security as needed.

The final phase of the accreditation process is a site visit by a member of CBUNA. This visit ensures compliance with the educational and testing process, and serves as an opportunity for the educational department of the corporation to review questions related to the process of accreditation.

The duration of accreditation is a period of 3 years. At that time the corporation is offered the opportunity for re-accreditation. This process allows the corporation to review and to update its educational materials and testing procedures to reflect current standards.

CBUNA is pleased to collaborate with corporations to strengthen their educational and testing programs for industry associates. We strongly believe this program benefits corporations, CBUNA, and most importantly, the patient who is assured competent care delivery from an industry associate who has completed a testing process demonstrating mastery of these skills and knowledge.

A nonrefundable fee of $2,000 will be required before the board begins work to evaluate a new program. This amount will be applied to the $7,500 fee. Accreditation fee to be paid in full prior to scheduling a site visit.

Download the Standards for CBUNA Accreditation and the Health Care Industry/Organizations

SUNA Foundation Recertification Scholarship

The SUNA Foundation will provide one time reimbursement of recertification fees for the applicant successfully complying with CBUNA recertification criteria. The scholarship will be awarded to the applicant selected by the CBUNA Review Board. All documentation must be received by December 1.

Download the Application

Eligibility Criteria

1. Current licensure for RN, PA, LPN/LVN, and NP candidates.
2. Must be a current member of SUNA.
3. Current CBUNA certification as CUA, CURN, CUCNS, CUPA or CUNP.
4. Must meet all requirements of CBUNA for recertification.
5. Must submit completed scholarship application to CBUNA with all completed forms and documentation.

Selection Process

1. CBUNA Board will select applicant to receive reimbursement for fees required by CBUNA for recertification.
2. Completed application is to be submitted with documentation required for recertification.
3. Applicant will submit a typed statement citing his/her reasons for seeking the scholarship.
4. Recipient must comply with all CBUNA requirements.
5. When the SUNA Foundation is notified that the recipient’s recertification has been completed, the recipient will be reimbursed the amount of the fee paid to CBUNA.
6. Scholarship applicants will be notified of their status in a timely manner.
7. Applicant must not have certification funding available from their employer.

Scholarship Recipients

2022 - Janelle Harris, MSN, RN, GNP, CUNP
2021 - Christine Aliory, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, CURN, ONC
2020 - Brenda Madsen, BSN, RN, CURN
2018 - Jeff Guse, RT, RDMS, RVT, CUA
2017 - Maureen Johnson, CURN
2016 - Russell Clay, CUA
2015 - Rowena Mejia, CURN
2015 - Cindie Neufeld, BS, RN, CURN
2013 - Donna Canada, RN, CURN
2013 - Margaret Hayes, BS, RN, CURN

CBUNA "Margaret Baran Gott" Recertification Scholarship

CBUNA will provide reimbursement of the recertification fee to the applicant successfully complying with the CBUNA recertification criteria during the current recertification period. This scholarship will be awarded to the applicant selected by the CBUNA Recertification Committee. All documentation must be received by December 1.

Download the Application

Eligibility Criteria

1. Current licensure for RN, PA, LPN/LVN or NP candidates, (license not required for all CUAs).
2. Must be a current member of SUNA.
3. Applicant must meet all current CBUNA requirements for recertification by continuing education credits only.
4. Must submit a completed scholarship application.
5. Applicant must not have funding for the recertification fee available from their employer.
6. When selected, the scholarship winner agrees to have the award information announced by CBUNA online and in SUNA publications.
7. The winner will write a brief testimonial of the importance of CBUNA certification for possible publication.

Selection Process

1. All applications received by December 1 are reviewed by the CBUNA Recertification Committee.
2. The committee will select the applicant to receive reimbursement of the submitted fee.
3. The applicant will be notified by CBUNA
4. All scholarship applicants will be notified of their status in a timely manner.

Scholarship Recipients

2022 - Russell D. Clay, CUA
2021 - Jeffrey Guse, RT, RDMS, RVT, CUA
2020 - Cheryl Bothwell, BSN, RN, CURN
2017 - Nancy Kuc, CURN

Congratulations to all of you who have just become certified and to everyone maintaining their certification over the years. It is hard work and a great achievement to pass the certification exam. We at CBUNA want to give you the following tips to make the recertification process stress-free, so that you will stay certified for the rest of your career.

As soon as you are certified or recertified, you need to plan how you will obtain your recertification in 3 years. First, you must decide if you want to recertify by written re-examination or continuing education (CE).
 

Preparing to Recertify by Exam

It will probably come as no surprise that almost no one opts to retake the exam. If you do opt to rectify by exam, the same requirements apply as if you were certifying the first time.

Preparing for the CBUNA Exams
 

Preparing to Recertify by Continuing Education

The preferred method is to earn continuing education (CE) credits. With this option, you have 3 years to accumulate 36 CE credits. Below are tips to help you recertify by CE.

1. Set up a schedule that will allow you to take 12 CE credits each year. Stick to this schedule, and make sure you do not fall behind. If you do fall behind, you should re-evaluate your schedule and plan ahead on what activities will allow you to fulfill your CE credits.
2. If your schedule allows, attend a SUNA national conference. If you cannot attend a conference and you are a SUNA member, take advantage of SUNA’s monthly, free CE program available in SUNA’s Online Library at www.suna.org/library. There are many additional websites that offer free CE credits, such as: www.medscape.com, www.rn.com, and www.myfreece.com to name a few. CBUNA does not endorse specific courses or commercial CE vendors. Be aware that providers may designate some content as "urologic" but this does not mean the activity automatically qualifies for Category A credit.
3. In addition to conferences and online resources, there are other ways you can choose to accumulate your CE credits. For example, are you an author of a book chapter or a journal article? Are you a textbook editor? Are you taking academic courses? If you are involved in these or other urologic-specific activities you think will make you eligible for CE credit, please do not hesitate to contact us at cbuna@ajj.com. You can inquire if your activities are eligible for CE credit towards recertification.
4. SUNA members will receive the Urologic Nursing journal, which features CE articles for which you can earn contact hours for a fee.
5. Stuck waiting at the airport or in a doctor’s office? Using your mobile device, access your courses online so that you can utilize your downtime and learn on the go!

Many of our certified members have found a way that makes the recertification process easy for them. However, we also see members who wait until the last minute to fulfill their requirements. This can cause anxiety and additional stress, which we would like to eliminate for all of our members. So, in summary, start planning your recertification as soon as you become certified or recertified. Discover which certification options work best for you. Create your 3-year schedule in advance, and stick to the plan.

If you have concerns regarding the eligibility of activities for credit or any other questions, please contact CBUNA at cbuna@ajj.com or 856-256-2351.

Current licensure for RN, PA, LPN/LVN, NP or CNS Current CBUNA certification. Minimum of 800 hours of urological practice experience during the previous 3-year certification period. CBUNA recognizes 3 distinctive components of nursing practice: service, education, and research. Practice may be direct or indirect and include acute or long-term care, clinics/offices, home care/community health, surgery, education, research, and administration.

It is the policy of CBUNA that no individual shall be excluded from the opportunity to participate in the CBUNA certification program on the basis of age, sex, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, disability, marital status, sexual orientation or gender identity.

Eligibility Requirements Rationale

These requirements assure the following: must have achieved initial certification, 800 clinical practice hours is sufficient to maintain exposure to urologic practice, candidate meets all current legal requirements of their licensure, and 36 contacts hours over 3 years is sufficient to maintain current knowledge in the specialty of urology. The inclusion of nephrology as an associated area of knowledge is due to the interrelatedness of urological and nephrology conditions, e.g., obstructions caused by prostatic hypertrophy or stone disease can lead to hydronephrosis and kidney failure.

Grace Period/Late Submission

After December 31 of the recertification period, CBUNA will accept late recertification applications from January 1 through March 31. A $50 late fee will be incurred.

Use of the CBUNA credential during the extension (grace period) is prohibited. If recertification requirements are met, there will be no lapse in certification dates.

Any application received after the 3-month grace period will be declared ineligible. There will be no exceptions or extension of this time frame. Contact hours earned and applied during the grace period may NOT be used in future recertification applications.
 

Does the Society of Urologic Nurses and Associates (SUNA) provide certification?

SUNA does not provide certification. Certification is provided through a separate organization, the Certification Board for Urologic Nurses and Associates (CBUNA), and it provides urology certification for Associates, Registered Nurses, and Nurse Practitioners.

Does my state require specialty certification for RNs, NPs or CNSs?

No state requires specialty certification. If you are considering specialty certification, contact the National Council of State Boards of Nursing at www.ncsbn.org/aprn.htm and the American Nurses Association (ANA) at www.nursingworld.org/Consensus-Model-Toolkit to determine licensure requirements.

How many times can I take the exam?

Candidates who sit for a CBUNA certification exam are not limited to the number of times they can take an examination.

Can I fax my application?

No. We cannot accept faxed applications.

How do I sign my name once I become certified? Is there a standard way that is recommended?

Yes, there is a standard way to list credentials after your name. Academic degrees are listed first because they are earned, are considered permanent. Nurses (RN or LPN), and Nurse Practitioners are licensed by the State Boards of Nursing. National certifications are usually voluntary. When you become certified by CBUNA, you are able to use the credentials CUA (Associate), CURN® (Registered Nurse), or CUNP® (Nurse Practitioner) to indicate your certification status.

Can I or my employer verify my certification status?

Yes. CBUNA certification status can be verified on the CBUNA Certified Directory. CBUNA maintains a searchable directory of all certified nurses and associates. However, all application information is considered confidential and is not shared with any outside party. It is used only by C-NET and CBUNA for certification processing purposes. Information concerning any candidate for certification is released only upon written request of the certification applicant.

If my certificate is lost or destroyed, how do I replace it?

In order to replace your wall certificate, you will need to submit a request in writing. You may email, fax, or mail the request to our office along with the $20 fee.

Once I am certified, what additional privileges does the CBUNA certification grant me?

CBUNA certification does not grant any additional privileges or responsibilities above your basic license. It is a testimony to your hard work, knowledge, and experience with the specialty population of patients with urology diagnoses. However, if you have further questions about this, regulations do vary among states. Please check with the National Council of State Boards of Nursing at www.ncsbn.org/aprn.htm and the American Nurses Association (ANA) at www.nursingworld.org/Consensus-Model-Toolkit to discuss your particular circumstances. In the case of CUAs, please seek out the appropriate state board that regulates your practice.

Are the CBUNA certifications nationally recognized?

CBUNA is the only certifying body for urologic nurses and associates. The CBUNA certification is recognized for Magnet status hospitals and clinics. Our certification remains a testimony to your specialty practice, expertise, and knowledge in urology. CBUNA has begun to systematically revise our policy and procedure manual in order to make it consistent with the Accreditation Board for Specialty Nursing Certification (ABSNC) requirements and expectations. This is a lengthy, ongoing process that requires proof that we have revised our practice analyses, have collected the subsequent required testing data, and compiled required information for the application process. The length of time for the data collection is determined by ABSNC. The application for the NP has been approved and accredited by ABSNC as of December 2018. The application for the RN has been approved and accredited by ABSNC as of March 2020. At this time, only the CURN and CUNP designations are eligible for the ABSNC recognition.

How much do I need to study for the examination?

No one can answer this for you, but CBUNA does provide an examination preparation guide to give you an overview of the test. The test is designed to reflect the broad nature of topics in urology that are represented on the examination.

If I don't pass the exam, how soon can I reapply?

If your results indicate that you did not pass, you may submit an application for the next exam. However, the retest fee is reduced for only one year after your initial examination.

What should I do if my contact information changes?

It is the professional responsibility of the applicant to notify CBUNA of any name, address, phone numbers and/or e-mail change. You can make these changes to your online profile at www.cbuna.org after you log in with your username and password. If you already have an established online account with SUNA, all changes made to your profile will be reflected in your CBUNA certification record.

Who should I contact if I have any questions about certification?

Contact the CBUNA National Office with any questions at cbuna@ajj.com or 856-256-2351.