ABPANC Volunteer Opportunities
ABPANC relies on the knowledge, experience, and expertise of certified nurses to support our certification programs and advance perianesthesia nursing.
Volunteering with ABPANC is an opportunity to contribute to the profession, connect with other perianesthesia nurses, and earn continuing education credits along the way. Opportunities are available at a variety of commitment levels — from short-term projects and review panels to ongoing committee and leadership roles — making it easier to find a way to get involved that fits your interests and availability.
ABPANC’s volunteer opportunities are listed below. Please click on each description to read more and to apply and submit an application for the selected volunteer committee/event. ABPANC will notify you when there are volunteer openings that match your application.
Questions about this process? Contact ABPANC@cpancapa.org.
Leadership/Committee Volunteer Opportunities
Take on a longer-term role helping guide ABPANC and its work. Leadership opportunities involve a greater time commitment and may include regular meetings, ongoing responsibilities, and participation in organizational planning and decision-making.
Board of Directors
Purpose: ABPANC’s Board of Directors:
1. Assures that the vision, mission, purposes and values of ABPANC are current and relevant as related to the existing health care environment and needs of the perianesthesia patient and their family.
2. Assures that ABPANC is strategically positioned to accomplish organizational goals and objectives.
3. Fulfills its fiduciary duty through the governance activities of ABPANC.
4. Assures for the sound management of ABPANC’s financial resources.
5. Assures executive leadership in the selection, evaluation, and dismissal of the Chief Executive Officer.
6. Represents ABPANC by effectively articulating positions and policies to key stakeholders.
7. Assures effective communication between ABPANC and ASPAN and other key stakeholder organizations by demonstrating the spirit and commitment to the continued successful, collegial work between organizations.
Recruitment, Selection, and Terms: Information on the recruitment and selection processes is included in the Board of Directors Handbook. The term limit for a Director is two years.
Meetings: Members of the Board of Directors are expected to participate in phone/video meetings at least twice a year; in-person meetings twice a year (travel expenses paid by ABPANC) and other commitments (email correspondence, information review) as needed.
Prerequisites: Must be a CPAN/CAPA certified nurse in good standing and currently employed in perianesthesia nursing in some capacity.
Professional Development Committee
ABPANC’s Mission: Elevating perianesthesia nursing excellence, knowledge, and patient advocacy through certification.
Committee Purpose: The purpose of the Professional Development Committee is to provide oversight for the development of continuing education programs, ensuring they address professional practice gaps, emerging issues, and enhance perianesthesia-related competence. The committee also evaluates the effectiveness of educational initiatives to ensure they meet the evolving needs of the nursing community.
Committee Responsibilities: The Professional Development Committee collaborates with ABPANC’s Education Division staff to support the organization’s educational programming efforts. The committee helps plan and execute high-quality perianesthesia education by advising on content, recruiting expert speakers, and determining appropriate formats and credit hours. The committee plays a key role in developing a balanced schedule of programming that aligns with the goals set by the Board of Directors.
Prerequisites and Desired Qualifications:
- Must be CPAN and/or CAPA certified in good standingandactivelyworkinginperianesthesia
- Nursing professional development experience
- Content creation and SME selection
- Ability to collaborate virtually, prioritize workload and meet deadlines
- Willingness to promote ABPANC and continuing education resources
Time Commitment and Expectations*:
- This is a one-year commitment (July 1st – June 30th) may be re-appointed for three terms
- Serves as an accredited education planning member and will be required to complete disclosures according to ANCC rules
- Committee members will participate in four to six, 1-hour virtual meetings depending on the needs of the committee.
- Approximately 3-4 hours per month inclusive of virtual meetings.
Benefits of Service and Contact Hour:
- Up to 10 contact hours towards recertification**
- Contribute to the profession
- Networking and relationships building
- Recognition from ABPANC
*Please note that Professional Development Committee members cannot:
- Sit for the CPAN/CAPA exam during service on this committee or for three years following service.
- Have participated in ABPANC item writing over the prior three
**Contact hours awarded based on participation
Exam Preparedness Committee
ABPANC’s Mission: Elevating perianesthesia nursing excellence, knowledge, and patient advocacy through certification.
Committee Purpose: The Examination Preparedness Committee’s purpose is to provide innovation and oversight of ABPANC’s study tools, resources, and learning opportunities for certification candidates.
Committee Responsibilities: The Exam Prep Committee collaborates with ABPANC’s Education Division staff to guide and enhance certification prep resources. The committee advises on content, recommends subject matter experts, supports product implementation, and helps develop innovative educational tools to meet the needs of certification candidates.
Prerequisite and Desired Qualifications:
- Must be CPAN and/or CAPA certified in good standing and actively working in perianesthesia
- Knowledge of exam preparation environment
- Nursing professional development experience
- Content creation and SME selection
- Ability to collaborate virtually, prioritize workload and meet deadlines
- Willingness to promote ABPANC and exam prep resources
Time Commitment and Expectations*:
- This is a one-year commitment (July 1st – June 30th) may be re-appointed for three terms
- Accredited education planning member, as needed basis
- Committee members will participate in four to six, 1-hour virtual meetings depending on the needs of the committee.
- Approximately 2-3 hours per month inclusive of virtual meetings.
Benefits of Service and Contact Hours:
- Up to 10 contact hours towards recertification**
- Contribute to the profession
- Networking and relationships building
- Recognition from ABPANC
*Please note that Exam Preparedness Committee members cannot:
- Sit for the CPAN/CAPA exam during service on this committee and for three years following service.
- Have participated in ABPANC item writing over the three years
**Contact hours may be awarded based on participation
Short-Term Volunteer Opportunities
Designed for volunteers who want to contribute without a long-term commitment. These opportunities typically involve a specific task or review period, with a clear beginning and end. They’re a great way to share your experience, support ABPANC’s work, and get involved when your schedule allows.
Awards & Scholarship Review Panels
Purpose: Awards & Scholarship Review Panels provide an objective and confidential review of ABPANC award nominations and scholarship applications. Panel members independently evaluate submissions using established scoring criteria and help identify deserving recipients of ABPANC awards and scholarships.
Recruitment, Selection, and Terms: Review Panels are formed as needed for individual awards and scholarship review cycles. Volunteers serve for a single review cycle and may volunteer for future panels. Each Panel is chaired by a member of the ABPANC Board of Directors.
Time Commitment: This is a short-term volunteer opportunity. Panel members independently review assigned applications or nominations through the ABPANC Awards & Scholarship Portal during the designated review period. Members may also participate in a brief virtual discussion if additional consideration of submissions is needed.
Contact Hours Awarded: Contact hours applicable toward CPAN and CAPA recertification are awarded based on participation in the review cycle.
Prerequisites: Must hold a current or retired CPAN®, CAPA®, and/or CPPN® credential. Panel members are expected to maintain the confidentiality of all application materials and disclose any potential conflicts of interest.
Item Writers
Item Writers are responsible for drafting proposed items and coding each item to an appropriate reference. Item Writers will write items based on item writing principles used by PSI, the ABPANC style guide, and ABSNC Accreditation standards. Item Writers will write CPAN® and CAPA® items that reflect current and relevant perianesthesia nursing practice as defined by the most recent Role Delineation Study.
CPAN certificants can write items for the CPAN exam, and CAPA writers can write items for the CAPA exam. CPAN-CAPA dual certified nurses can write for either exam.
Item writers will receive training at an Item Writing Workshop and/or through a virtual training from PSI prior to writing items. Item writers will be given assignments based on needed areas in the item bank.
An item writing drive will occur once a year over a 1-to-3-month period.
Committee Composition: Item writers must be CPAN and/or CAPA certified in good standing and actively working in perianesthesia nursing. ABPANC seeks ten to twenty-five volunteers for each certification.
Limitations and Restrictions: Please note that item writers cannot:
- be a current ABPANC Certification Coach
- be involved in teaching examination review courses
- take the CPAN or CAPA exams nor be involved in any kind of candidate preparation for a period of 3 years after item writing
Contact Hours: Item writers will be awarded 2 contact hours per complete item submitted.
Timeline
- January: Call for volunteers
- April 27, 2025 – Item Writing Workshop at ASPAN conference Dallas, TX (in-person, optional)
- June 2025 – Item Writing Training (virtual)
- June – August 2025 – virtual item writing drive
To apply: Follow the link below. Once you have created a sign-up, you will be emailed a link to the volunteer interest form. Prospective volunteers will be asked to submit their name, contact information, demographics, professional information and a current resume or curriculum vitae.
Project Based Volunteer Opportunities
Put your knowledge and experience to work on a specific ABPANC project or initiative. Opportunities may include developing or reviewing educational resources, providing subject matter expertise, or contributing to other focused projects. The time commitment varies by project and will be shared before you volunteer.
Pediatric Perianesthesia Subject Matter Experts
Purpose: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) contribute their pediatric perianesthesia knowledge and clinical expertise to support the development of educational and exam preparation resources for the CPPN® certification program. Depending on the project, SMEs may assist with developing, reviewing, or providing feedback on educational content and resources for nurses preparing for the CPPN exam.
Recruitment, Selection, and Terms: SMEs are recruited on an as-needed basis for specific projects. Opportunities may vary based on ABPANC’s educational needs and the expertise required.
Time Commitment: This is a flexible, project-based volunteer opportunity. The length and level of commitment will vary depending on the project and will be communicated before participation.
Contact Hours Awarded: Contact hours may be awarded based on the scope of the project and level of participation.
Prerequisites: Must be a registered nurse with relevant experience and expertise in pediatric perianesthesia care. Additional qualifications may be identified based on the needs of a specific project.
Perianesthesia Pediatric Exam Groups: CPPN Examination Review Committee (CPPN ERC)
ABPANC is developing an exam for perianesthesia nurses who primarily care for pediatric patients. The Certified Pediatric Perianesthesia Nurse (CPPN) exam is anticipated to debut in 2027. Inaugural CPPN exam development volunteers must be current RNs and actively working in pediatric perianesthesia nursing.
Various groups of volunteers will be needed in 2026 and 2027 to complete CPPN exam development.
CPPN Exam Review Committee
The CPPN Examination Review Committee (CPPN ERC) is responsible for reviewing and approving the final selection of items that comprise each exam form.
Volunteer Eligibility
Inaugural CPPN Exam Review Committee members must be current RNs and actively working in pediatric perianesthesia nursing. Prior experience writing ABPANC exam items a plus.
*Please note that Exam Review Committee members cannot:
- be a current ABPANC Certification Coach
- be involved in teaching examination review courses
Meetings and Time Commitment
- pre-review prior to meeting
- In-person November 6-8, 2026 for a 2 ½ day meeting.
Timeline
- February-April 2026: Call for volunteers
- June 2026: Committee slate is finalized
- October 2026 pre-review
- November 6-8, 2026– Exam Review Committee meeting – in-person
Contact Hours
This committee offers 15 credit hours for full participation in the exam review meeting.
Perianesthesia Pediatric Exam Groups: CPPN Item Review Committee (CPPN IRC)
ABPANC is developing an exam for perianesthesia nurses who primarily care for pediatric patients. The Certified Pediatric Perianesthesia Nurse (CPPN) exam is anticipated to debut in 2027. Inaugural CPPN exam development volunteers must be current RNs and actively working in pediatric perianesthesia nursing.
Various groups of volunteers will be needed in 2026 and 2027 to complete CPPN exam development.
CPPN Item Review Committee
The CPPN Item Review Committee (CPPN IRC) is responsible for reviewing and approving new and revised items for inclusion in the CPPN item bank.
Volunteer Eligibility
Inaugural CPPN Item Review Committee members must be current RNs and actively working in pediatric perianesthesia nursing. Prior experience writing ABPANC exam items a plus.
*Please note that Item Review Committee members cannot:
- be a current ABPANC Certification Coach
- be involved in teaching examination review courses
Meetings and Time Commitment
- In-person September 18-20, 2026 for a 2 ½ day meeting.
Timeline
- February -April 2026: Call for volunteers
- May 2026: Committee slate is finalized
- September 18-20, 2026– Item Review Committee meeting – in-person
Contact Hours
This committee offers 15 credit hours for full participation in the item review meeting.
CPAN/CAPA Item Review Committee
The Item Review Committee (IRC) is responsible for reviewing and approving new and revised items for inclusion in the CPAN and CAPA item banks. The Item Review Committee is also responsible for item bank maintenance in conjunction with PSI: monitoring the items in the CPAN and CAPA item banks and for retiring existing items or recoding them to appropriate references.
The Item Review Committee will review items based on item writing principles used by PSI, the ABPANC style guide, and ABSNC Accreditation standards. The IRC will review and approve CPAN® and CAPA® items that they reflect current and relevant perianesthesia nursing practice as defined by the most recent Role Delineation Study.
The Item Review Committee meets in person once a year for 3 days. The next meeting will be held September 5-7, 2025.
Committee Composition: Item Review Committee members must be CPAN and/or CAPA certified in good standing and actively working in perianesthesia nursing. IRC members must have prior experience writing ABPANC exam items.
Item Review Committee is led by two co-chairs (1 CPAN, 1 CAPA) that serve a one-year term. The co-chairs review the final draft of their respective exam.
Each committee member is appointed for a one-year term and may be re-appointed for three consecutive terms in a non-officer position.
Limitations and restrictions: Please note that Item Review Committee members cannot:
- be a current ABPANC Certification Coach
- be involved in teaching examination review courses
- take the CPAN or CAPA exams nor be involved in any kind of candidate preparation for a period of 3 years after item writing
Contact Hours: This committee offers 15 credit hours for full participation in the item review meeting.
Timeline
- January 2025: Call for volunteers
- February/March 2025: Committee slate for next committee year is selected
- September 5-7, 2025 – Item Review Committee meeting – location TBD
To apply: Follow the link below. Once you have created a sign-up, you will be emailed a link to the volunteer interest form. Prospective volunteers will be asked to submit their name, contact information, demographics, professional information and a current resume or curriculum vitae.
CPAN/CAPA Exam Review Committee
The Examination Review Committee (ERC) is responsible for reviewing and approving CPAN and CAPA examination items and reviewing and approving the final selection of items that comprise each test form. The ERC will review and approve CPAN® and CAPA® draft exams ensuring that they reflect current and relevant perianesthesia nursing practice as defined by the most recent Role Delineation Study, the most current test blueprints, and current rubrics and to ensure that there is an even distribution of item topics.
The Exam Review Committee meets in person once a year for 2 ½ days. The next meeting will be held November 7-9, 2025.
Committee Composition: Exam Review Committee members must be CPAN and/or CAPA certified in good standing and actively working in perianesthesia nursing. ERC members must have prior experience writing ABPANC exam items.
The Examination Review Committee is led by two co-chairs (1 CPAN, 1 CAPA) that serve a one-year term. The co-chairs review the final drafts of their respective exams.
Each committee member is appointed for a one-year term and may be re-appointed for three consecutive terms in a non-officer position. The Examination Review Committee shall be composed of 6 to 10 CPAN and 6 to 10 CAPA currently certified subject matter experts.
Limitations and Restrictions: Please note that Exam Review Committee members cannot:
- be a current ABPANC Certification Coach
- be involved in teaching examination review courses
- take the CPAN or CAPA exams nor be involved in any kind of candidate preparation for a period of 3 years after item writing
Contact Hours: This committee offers 15 credit hours for full participation in the exam review meeting.
Timeline:
- January: Call for volunteers
- February/March: Committee slate for next committee year is selected
- November 7-9, 2025 – Exam Review Committee meeting – location TBD
To apply: Follow the link below. Once you have created a sign-up, you will be emailed a link to the volunteer interest form. Prospective volunteers will be asked to submit their name, contact information, demographics, professional information and a current resume or curriculum vitae.