Heart failure nurses are specialists with an exclusive interest in and passion for improving outcomes in patients with heart failure.With this passion comes the need to continuously grow in the field and improve patient care.

Becoming a Certified Heart Failure Nurse (CHFN) or a Certified Heart Failure Nurse- Knowledge based (CHFN-K) confirms your knowledge to patients and their families, peers and employers. Certification serves as a mark of clinical knowledge in the assessment, treatment and evaluation of the plan of care for patients with heart failure.

Certification demonstrates your desire to keep current in heart failure and advance your career. By becoming a CHFN or CHFN-K, you represent nurses with a solid knowledge base in heart failure who can be consultants, clinical specialists, educators and managers of heart failure care. When CHFNs were surveyed, they reported that certification opened the door to recognition, promotions, raises, and awards.

Since 2011, over 1,500 nurses have become Certified Heart Failure Nurses. It’s your turn to become certified and receive this prestigious mark of distinction.

“ We have had a heart

failure program since

1995 and after attending

AAHFN meetings, I

realized being a certified

heart failure nurse would

raise the credibility

for our program. All 4

of our nurses took and

passed the exam.

When we received our

advanced heart failure

certification from The

Joint Commission, they

were impressed with the

continuity of our program

from inpatient through

outpatient clinics and

telehealth all provided

by CHFN’s. ”CLAIRE CALL,

Springfield, IL

The Mark of Distinction

1120 Route 73, Suite 200

Mount Laurel, NJ 08054

P: 888.452.2436 • F: 856.439.0525

information@aahfn.org • www.aahfn.org

Tips for Certification Success

By becoming a CHFN or CHFN-K, you are committed to advancing

the field; providing your patients and the heart failure community

with the highest quality of care. In a study published in the

American Journal of Nursing, certified nurses reported greater

confidence when making clinical decisions1. The examination

validates your knowledge, experience and clinical judgment in

diagnosing, treating and managing patients with heart failure,

proving to yourself, patients and peers that you are fully capable

of providing general heart failure-related care.

The CHFN or CHFN-K designation reflects your willingness to

learn and adapt positively to new evidence related to heart failure

assessment, care planning, interventions/treatments and

evaluation of care delivered.

1 Cary, A.H. (2001). Certified Registered Nurses: Results of the Study of the Certified Workforce. American Journal of Nursing, 101(1), 44-52.

Commitment to Yourself and Your Patients: Why You Should Become a CHFN® or CHFN-K™

“ Our patients deserve to have qualified and dedicated Heart Failure nurses to

walk alongside them through their healthcare

journey. The personal rewards are unlimited

when you know that you ARE making a

difference in the lives of these patients.

You become their trusted friend. Thank you

AAHFN for giving me this opportunity! ”JANE GALLES,

Hayward, WI

CHFNCHFN-K

The Mark of DistinctionMake your mark as a leader in the field.

Become certified in the only heart failure

nursing certification in the country.

www.aahfn.org

Attend a Certification Review Course

Review a Heart Failure Study Guide

Attend a Certification Review Webinar

Create a Study Group with Your Peers

Review the AAHFN-CB Examination Content Outline

Visit AAHFN.org for a listing of suggested resources,

study guides and sessions that are available to help

assist in preparation for the exam.

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Top Five Reasons to Become a CHFN®:

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CHFNs and CHFN-Ks receive formal

recognition (via credentials) of

specialized knowledge in heart failure

care and commitment to providing

optimal patient care.

Patients have better outcomes when

care is provided by certified nurses.

In a study of nurses certified in

rehabilitation (CRRNs), length of patient

stay was shortened 6% for every 1%

increase in certified nurses on the unit2

CHFNs and CHFN-Ks gain personal

pride in accomplishment and an

informal commitment to providing heart

failure care based on best practices

and evidence-based practices.

Hospital administrators understand

that certification reflects specialized

knowledge in the field. Certified nurses

are desired.

Your institution or practice may reward

certified nurses with increased pay,

reimbursement of test expenses and

advancement in a clinical ladder

program. Your institution may also

pay for educational courses to assist

in your maintenance of continuing

education in heart failure.

2 Nelson A, Powell-Cope G, Palacios P, et al. Nurse staffing and patient outcomes in inpatient rehabilitation settings. Rehabilitation Nursing. 2007;32(5):179-202.

“ I chose to obtain the CHFN certification to demonstrate to my patients my

commitment to having the specialty knowledge, skills and experience

they deserve as I help them navigate living with heart failure. ”CAROL BJORKMAN,

Plano, TX

“ Taking the Heart Failure certification exam was one of the wisest decisions

that I have made as a heart failure practitioner. Preparing for this exam forced

me to truly understand the very complex pathophysiology of heart failure and the

management of this condition. In turn I feel that because of this certification I am

a much better nurse and able to guide and care for my patients. ”SUE HENKE,

Orange, CA

Accessible Testing:

Where You Can Take the CHFN® and CHFN-K Exams

The CHFN and CHFN-K exams are offered in a paper format at the AAHFN Annual Meeting.

Paper Exam Application Window

March 1 – May 10

The CHFN and CHFN-K exams are offered through computer based testing (CBT) at testing centers across the country.

CBT Application Window CBT Testing Window

December 1 – January 31 March 1 - 31

June 1 – July 31 September 1 - 30

September 1 – October 31 December 1 - 31

Visit www.aahfn.org to locate a testing facility in your area.

OR

Certification Testing Fees AAHFN Member Non-AAHFN Member

Paper Exam at Annual Conference

$275 $375

Computer Based Testing (CBT) Exam

$350 $450

*Please note there is a $30 processing fee for all paper applications submitted

Renewing Your Certification

CHFNYour heart failure certification is valid

for three (3) years. Before your three (3)

year anniversary you must renew your

certification either by documenting your

40 heart failure continuing education

hours and professional development or

by retaking the certification exam.

CHFN-KYour heart failure certification is valid

for three (3) years. Before your three (3)

year anniversary you must renew your

certification either by documenting fifty

(50) heart failure specific continuing

education hours and professional

development or by retaking the

certification exam.

CHFN-Retired or CHFN-K RetiredThis credential is intended for those

who are retiring from HF nursing. This

credential would allow nurses who want

to stay involved with what is going on in

heart failure nursing (i.e. membership,

annual meetings, etc.) however are no

longer practicing in heart failure.

For additional details of recertification requirements or retirement credentials go to www.aahfn.org.

CHFNCHFN-K

CHFN• Hold a current, active RN license within a state or territory of the United States or the professional,

legally recognized equivalent in another country and have practiced full time as a registered

nurse for at least two (2) years or its equivalent that equates to approximately 4160 hours.

• Have a minimum of 1,200 hours of clinical practice working in a field of nursing caring

for heart failure patients within the last two (2) years. Note: this requirement equates to

approximately 29% of time in clinical practice of heart failure in the previous 2 years.

• Have completed 30 hrs of continuing education within the last two (2) years, of which a

minimum of 15 hours must be focused directly on care of patients with heart failure. Must be

completed at the time the exam application is submitted

CHFN-K• Hold a current, active RN license within a state or territory of the United States or the

professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country and practiced as a registered

nurse (previously or currently) for at least five (5) years full-time or its equivalent that equates

to approximately 10,400 hours.

• Have a BSN or equivalent bachelors degree plus 2,400 hours experience in your current role

OR Have a Masters plus 2,080 hours experience in your current role

• Have completed at least 30 hours of continuing education focused directly on care of patients

with heart failure in the last two (2) years. Must be completed at the time the exam application

is submitted.

• Be able to briefly explain in your current job how you indirectly touch patients with heart failure

or complete some action in your role that is heart failure specific

CHFN or CHFN-K?Are you a clinical nurse that provides direct

care to patients with heart failure? Or, are you

a non-clinical nurse who works in heart failure,

but in an indirect capacity? Perhaps you conduct

heart failure research, or you are an educator/clinical

instructor to college students in a heart failure specialty

area, or you work in an industry whose business includes

heart failure work? Read the eligibility criteria carefully to see

which certification you are qualified to apply for. The examination

is the same for CHFNs and CHFN-Ks.

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