PQC certification (or the PQC Certificate) is the first step towards obtaining new certification. There are two levels of PQC certifications. The first level is the Foundation Certification and the second level is the Professional Provider Organization (PPO) certification. Both of these certifications require individuals to have a certain level of education and experience to be eligible to take the exams. The Foundation certification exam is not accepted by all employers; therefore, some employers have moved their applications to the next level.
The PQC is the only program that offers an international examination. This exam is recognized by over 90 countries and is accessible to both new and experienced Human Resources personnel. This means that the certification from HRci is the only qualification required to work in Canada as a Human Resource professional. A PQC certificate allows you to work in Canada and around the world. It is the most recognized qualification in Canada for Human Resources (HR).
HRci offers four different exams for those wishing to obtain their PQC certification: the National Council for Accreditation of Nursing (NCAN) Examination, the Registered Nurse Practitioner National Council (RNPNCC) Examination, the International Qualification Test (IQT) and the International Qualification Examination (IQE) and the Canadian Service Entry Number (CSEM). The National Council for Accreditation of Nursing offers the NCAN Examination as a prerequisite for entry into the nursing profession in Canada. This examination is offered to potential future nursing students, as well as present and retired nursing staff. Aspiring nurses must successfully complete the NCAN Examination in order to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). In addition to this, the Registered Nurse Practitioner National Council also requires an LPN to be trained to become an RN.
There are two main benefits associated with the certification from HRci: it demonstrates to potential employers your commitment to quality and your new competency model. In the case of the IQT and IQE, you will need to successfully pass these two tests before your certification. If you work in a health care setting, such as a hospital, nursing home or one of the Canadian hospice programs, you may have access to a Carr said testimonial where Carr said “My work as a nurse practitioner (RN) has been fantastic. The PQC certification process was not difficult and I have learned so much”.
While training for the IQT and IQE can take several months, you may already have some skills and experiences that you can transfer directly into your new competency model. It is important to remember that these two exams, along with the NCAN and CPR, must be taken under the supervision of a current Registered Nurse. There are many resources on the internet to find out what questions are likely to appear on the IQE and NCAN exams.
Once you have completed the necessary training to sit for one of the IQT or IQE certification exams, you will be able to work toward becoming certified in your specific area of expertise. The goal of passing these two exams is to demonstrate that you are dedicated to your profession and you have what it takes to provide quality patient care. Working towards these two certifications, while providing excellent service to patients, will be beneficial to both your patients and your employer. When working toward these two certifications, many RNs find that their pay increases and the prestige of their job improve considerably.
Carr said that once she received her IQE, she was surprised how much easier it was to do her job now. Working in an environment where everyone knows your name and number, and where there is a constant need for clear and accurate information makes the position far more enjoyable than it had been years ago. Having people recognize you as a specialist is also a good feeling, as Carr said “It puts people at ease when they call for my services.” If you are interested in being a specialist for a specialty like PN (personal health), Cardiology, Pediatrics or neurology, you can consider becoming certified through HRci, which is accredited through the Commission on Accreditation for Health Informatics and Information Management Education (HMIIM).
