Another CHC nurse passes certified nephrology exam

Another registered nurse at the Commonwealth Health Center recently passed the Certified Nephrology Examination.

Staff nurse Jefferson Santos, 28, son of Adonis I. Santos and Josephine L. Santos, is now the sixth certified nephrology nurse at CHC.

“I am very happy and thankful that the exam was finally over because I usually study after my work instead of relaxing. Now I can relax after my duty and at the same time I could help my children with their homework,” Santos told Saipan Tribune.

Nephrology nurses primarily care for patients with either acute or chronic kidney problems. Much of their work involves working with dialysis patients.

Santos took the exam in Virginia on Oct. 4, 2011, just two days after attending his commencement ceremony at the University of Phoenix, Washington D.C. for his bachelor’s degree in Nursing.

He said the exam was very hard and lasted three hours.

Santos self-studied, using the core curriculum book that he had ordered from the American Nephrology Nurse Association. He also reviewed ANNA’s monthly Nephrology Journal.

A bachelor’s decgree in Nursing is required to take the Certified Nephrology Nurse certification.

“I had a goal in mind that I was going to take the exam on a specific date and that was my driving force that helped me not to stop studying for the exam,” Santos said.

The CHC nurse also became a member of Sigma Theta Tau, which according to him is very important because his membership proves that he’s an honor student.

“It was the driving force why I studied so hard to maintain my GPA above 3.80. In addition, it will help me in my future studies such as when I apply for scholarship or financial aid,” he said.

Having worked at CHC for four years now, Santos hopes to be reclassified to Staff Nurse II since a bachelor’s degree is a requirement for the position.

Santos finished high school at Grace Christian Academy in 2003. He finished his associate degree in nursing at the Northern Marianas College in 2006 and his bachelor’s degree in Nursing at the University of Phoenix in 2010.

Santos later plans to become a merchant marine like his father, Adonis, and run a business. He also aims to pursue a master’s degree.

To nurses who want to further their education, Santos urged them to pursue their dreams as soon as possible.

“Time is so fast and at the end we think back on what personal or professional accomplishments have we done for ourselves. Now is the time to think ahead because education is like a treasure that no one can take from us,” he said.