Did not pass Nursing Professional Development certification exam, advice please

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Hi Nurse Beth,

Earlier this week, I took the Nursing Professional Development (NPD-BC) exam and unfortunately did not pass. I used external study resources but did not use the Nursing Professional Development Review and Resource Manual (4th Edition).

I would like to retake the exam later this year and want to prepare with the best, most up-to-date materials. However, I noticed on the ANA website that the 4th edition manual now includes a disclaimer:
"This manual was written for the previous exam, and some information may not be relevant to the current exam."

Since the NPD-BC exam was updated on February 26, 2025, I'm wondering if a 5th edition of the Review Manual is in the works? The 4th edition was published in 2017, and earlier editions came out every few years, so it seems like a new version might be due—especially with the recent exam update.

Do you have any insight on when the 5th edition might be released? I'd love to align my study and retest plans with its availability.

Thanks so much for your help!

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2 Answers

Specializes in Tele, ICU, Staff Development.

I'm so excited for you to achieve your NPD certification! As NPD practitioners, we can make such a difference in patient care.

We can influence policy and procedure, uphold evidence-based care, support new grads and seasoned nurses alike with expertise and compassion, and provide effective and engaging education.

As an experienced and certified NPD specialist, I promise I can find a way to make almost any educational topic interesting!

My Credentials

I co-authored the Nursing Professional Development Review & Resource Manual, 4th edition. I've developed items (test questions) for the exam, conducted review courses and helped produce the virtual review course. I also authored the NPD Quick Guide Series: Educational Content Development, among other educational aids.

All this to say, I have expertise and intimate knowledge of the content and exam. 

Recommended Study Plan For You

  • Don't wait for the 5th edition.  I wish I could tell you when the 5th edition will be released. Perhaps it has stalled a bit. However, there is no need to wait until it is released.

Passing or passing is not dependent on the important but incremental 5th edition revisions. It is dependent on a focused and intentional study of materials already published.

  • Along with Rose_Queen, I recommend the virtual ANPD online certification review or an in-person review course. (Good luck, Rose_Queen !)
  • The 4th edition NPD Certification Review Manual is focused and practical. The questions are very specific in terms of the content you must master. If you can pass the review questions in the back and are comfortable with the material, you will be well prepared. 
  •  Study the online  questions provided.

Supplemental texts

  • Nursing Professional Development: Scope and Standards of Practice. This is one of the texts used to develop the exam. You will be asked about systems theory, input, throughput, and output.
  • You can supplement your study with a textbook such as the Core Curriculum for Nursing Professional Development. It serves well as a reference, though it is not intended as a review manual.

Tips

Staff Development educators are often surprised at the scope and breadth of knowledge required of an NPD seeking certification. In addition to key topics like domains of learning, change theory, educational principles, evaluation methodologies, PICOT, Quality Assurance, and more, here are a few other important points to be aware of for the exam:

  • Copyright laws (so important for an NPD. You are a role model. No more downloading Google images willy-nilly!)
  • In terms of continuing education (CE), know the difference between an accredited approver, an accredited provider, and an approved provider. For example, which one is a state Board of Nursing (BON) that approves a hospital's Staff Development department to provide continuing education (CE) units? 
  • Be prepared to calculate the charge for an event, including costs such as speaker fees and venue costs, to break even.
  • What MUST be included on a marketing flyer advertising your event when offering continuing education?
  • Know the difference between a norm-referenced evaluation, a summative evaluation, a criterion-based evaluation, and a competency-based evaluation. 
  • Is it true that a quiz must be administered to award CEs?
  • Is a formative evaluation one where the nurse educator adjusts the lighting in a room when she sees students squinting?
  • Describe conflict of interest and commercial bias when using a speaker from a vendor.
  • What is the difference between an NPD generalist and an NPD specialist?
  • Test-taking tips from an item writer
  • What is your role when you discover a student cheating, and what is not your role?
  • What is the difference between CEUs (continuing education units) and contact hours?
  • Do college hours count toward CEs, and if so, how are they calculated?
  • Regarding accreditation, what is the difference between the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)?

These are just a few tips, not all-inclusive, but I hope I've provided you with enough practical direction. I would love for you to let us know when you pass!

Nurse Beth

Specializes in OR, Nursing Professional Development.

I found the review course from ANPD far more helpful than the book(s). Can't say whether it's proven yet as I won't be taking my exam until next month.

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