About 7 years ago, I decided to challenge the NAECB's asthma educator certification examination. A colleague had earned her credential about a year before and inspired me to study for the test. I was teaching at the time and I didn't expect that my role in healthcare would change but I had worked with asthmatic kiddos for the majority of my career and I thought it would be a nice reflection of my work. So, I took one of the live AARC traveling road shows for the AE-C prep course and sat for the exam. I passed (thankfully) and thought that would be the end of it. About a year later, an opportunity to work on a grant with colleagues at the University of Missouri School of Medicine popped up and I qualified for inclusion because I had earned my RRT and my AE-C. The three years I worked on that grant were amazing. I had the opportunity to develop educational curriculum for patients and families, I was able to interact with children and families in underserved populations, and I was able to help educate clinic staff in these areas. The intrinsic reward for that project was unmeasurable.
As you might guess, my 7-year credential is expiring soon. For the last couple of months, I've been studying my asthma course materials in anticipation of taking the exam in September. I'll be honest...I was NOT looking forward to taking that test again. It's a difficult test and, despite the sense of satisfaction I felt after taking and passing it, I didn't really want to repeat the experience. However, a gal has to do what a gal has to do. If I want to keep my AE-C (and I do!), then I'll take the test.
Imagine how happy I was to learn this week that the NAECB is now accepting continuing education to renew the AE-C! I'm diligently completing my continuing education requirement (35 hours in asthma continuing education in 5 years) so that I can renew before my credential requires. The cool part is that they're allowing folks whose AE-C has already expired to renew this way as well!
While my job at the AARC does not mandate that I have an active AE-C, I want to remain prepared for anything. You never know...maybe one of those amazing, unique opportunities (like the one I was able to take advantage of) might crop up in your professional life. As respiratory therapists, we should be prepared for anything!
AARC news release: http://www.aarc.org/headlines/13/08/recertification.cfm
NAECB website with information about recertification through CE: http://www.naecb.com/