Abstract
Certification in bariatric nursing indicates a level of achievement in specialized skills and knowledge in the care of the obese and bariatric surgery patient. Certified bariatric nurses have made a personal commitment to maintaining a high level of expertise in the care of the obese patient. The Certified Bariatric Nurse (CBN) is a designation that validates that the nurse has met all of the testing requirements and has proven to be competent in the nursing care of the obese and bariatric surgery patient.
Eligibility Requirements to Take the Certification in Bariatric Nursing Exam
To be a candidate for the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) CBN examination, the nurse must meet the following eligibility criteria:
1. Be currently licensed as a professional nurse (RN) in one of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico. The nurse must have a valid license number, without stipulations by the state nursing board. 2. The nurse must have completed 24 months (within the preceding 4 years) of nursing care of the morbidly obese and bariatric surgery patient. The bariatric surgery care should include preoperative, postoperative, and follow-up care.
The ASMBS offers a review course every year in conjunction with the annual ASMBS meeting. Unfortunately, the online review course for exam preparation no longer exists. The examination is offered twice per year at various testing sites throughout the United States; the exact locations can be found on the ASMBS website.
CBN Exam Structure
The CBN exam includes 175 multiple-choice questions that cover the span of knowledge necessary to validate proficiency in nursing of the obese and bariatric surgery patient. The test includes 25 pretest questions that are not counted toward the overall score, which are distributed unsystematically throughout the exam. Each test question has four possible answer choices, with only one correct answer. The candidate has 3 hours to finish the examination. Successful completion of the test permits the nurse the authority to use the title CBN. The certification is valid for 4 years and must be renewed by submitting proof of continuing education activities.
Benefits of Certification
The care of the obese and bariatric patient requires a nurse with a validated understanding of the disease of obesity; certification demonstrates that these criteria have been met. The care of patients with obesity and the care of patients undergoing bariatric surgery are challenging. Nurses who are certified in their care are committed to securing ongoing education and knowledge, which assures that patients receive the highest level of care possible. Certified nurses must meet strict continuing education guidelines in order to maintain their certification status. Nurses who are supported and encouraged in the certification process may develop a sense of loyalty to the facility or to the program that provides the support. The achievement of certification positions a nurse to be recognized among peers as an expert, and it may also serve to strengthen self-confidence and pride in career goal accomplishment.
Summary
Nurses who work with the obese and bariatric patient population should consider seeking the CBN designation. Currently the CBN credentialing agent is the ASMBS, and to be a candidate the nurse must meet the requirements of the ASMBS, apply for testing, and pay the required testing fee. Certification in bariatric nursing validates that the nurse has reached a level of expertise in the care of the obese and bariatric surgery patient. Certification enhances a nurse's career and heightens professionalism.
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