Milestones

It’s a great way to demonstrate your competence in the field. Set aside adequate time for preparation. Go for it! It worth the time and effort.

Before getting certify, make sure you know almost everything about being an IP

If you want to certify in infection control, review the CBIC test handbook and materials. Learn the content outline for the test, take a practice test to identify your weaknesses and make a study plan to reach your goal. Join a study group, in person or virtual, to keep yourself on schedule with studying. Our patients in every setting depend on a competent workforce, including Infection Preventionists, to keep them safe.

It is the best feeling, worst test, and overall pride in a person’s life and career to be certified. Study hard and know your strengths and weaknesses.

Prepare! Designate sufficient time for study. Use the APIC resources for exam preparation. Take the practice tests and understand the rationale for incorrect answers. Rely on and collaborate with those who are already certified to review difficult/new content. Get plenty of sleep the night before the exam and know that you ARE prepared. Celebrate your success!

It’s definitely a commitment to put the time and effort into preparing. Set realistic studying goals, give yourself time to prepare and go for it! It is well worth the time and effort. Certification is a game-changer for your professional career.

Be curious in your position as an IP. Grow daily and seek those challenging questions in your daily work. Verify the information with reliable resources (e.g., APIC text, accreditation and regulatory bodies). Join a CIC study group (there are at least 2 nationwide groups that meet regularly). Consider taking an EPI 101 and 102 course through APIC to get your momentum and overview of the breadth of topics covered. Know why we do what we do, rationale and evidence.

Definitely get your certification! The CIC certification is a great building block for your career.

If you fear taking tests, I empathize with you. However, if you are curious and unafraid to pursue knowledge and experience working with others whose activities you need to become familiar with, you will do well on the exam. Certification and recertification in Infection Control demonstrates evidence of your commitment to the profession and enhances your credibility especially when implementing change which is innately uncomfortable and readily challenged.

Please utilize the full extent of your local Infection Prevention and Control resources. There are more experienced Infection Control Practitioners who are willing to help, and local chapters often hold study groups to aide you in preparing for your certification exam.

I would strongly recommend getting certified. It not only opens many doors for you but also helps you grow professionally and helps the infection control community to grow and be active.

Go for it! I have seen so many first time CIC Infection Preventionists gain so much confidence in their daily work because they became certified in their profession.

Do it. It’s worth it

It’s worth the time and effort to become certified.

DO IT! Do not wait any longer!

If you are committed to infection prevention and patient safety, you owe it to yourself and your patients to become an expert in your chosen field and become certified. The CIC is a respected certification.

Do not be scared to take the exam. Most IPs know more than they realize. It helps build confidence and helps you be seen as an expert in the field.

Just do it! Study hard, because it is a challenging exam. If you study best alone, then make sure you are using the right resources. If you study best in a group setting, there are many sources for groups, including many APIC or IPAC chapters, as well as online opportunities. Once you have your CIC, you demonstrate that competence to yourself, to others, and to your employer. Best wishes!

Writing the CIC certification doesn’t give you the knowledge to be able to answer every IPAC question that you’ll ever be asked. But by obtaining your CIC certification, you’ll know the IPAC building blocks to help problem solve a situation and which resources are the best to find those answers that you still need clarification on. Becoming CIC certified is a strong base to begin (or continue) building a career in IPAC on.

Prepare and take it! Having deep knowledge and understanding of IPC concepts coupled with the actual practice and application will aid an aspirant pass the examinations.

Focus on learning something new each day in your profession. Give yourself time to learn your profession and then go for it!!! Working in this field will surprise you with how much you learn every day.

Do it! You’re doing the work anyway! Put a stamp on it!

If you love infection prevention then go for the certification. If being an infection preventionist is your career choice then the certification is a must!! Definitely take the review course and …study study study .

Considering recertification someone needs to be prepared to review the pre-test and spend time reviewing all chapters of the APIC text. It is important to collaborate with others who are preparing for certification. Study groups were helpful when I was first preparing for test certification. There needs to be commitment to putting in study time.

I would encourage you to pursue certification. The process of preparing for the CIC® exam will deepen your knowledge of IPc and having the credential shows that you are committed to professional growth and advancement of the field.

Achieving certification is a stepping stone in the field of infection prevention. In preparation for your initial exam, you will review important infection prevention topics that will provide a foundation to grow upon. Take your time to explore the different topics and take practice exams to help determine your knowledge gaps. Reach out to other CICs in your area. If you don’t know who they are and need resources, seek out your local APIC chapter for guidance. APIC chapters often have a variety of study groups, resources like study guides, or mentors available to provide assistance.

I would recommend speaking to a peer that has their CIC that practices in the same healthcare sector, to ask their advice on the benefits of certification, exam preparation. I would also highly recommend utilizing a CIC study group and use of the APIC manuals to prepare.

Go for it!! Having the CIC will set you apart and tell everyone how prepared you are for what comes your way professionally. Get certified and set yourself up for a successful career in the great field of Infection Prevention!

Just do it. You will be so proud of your accomplishment and will feel more confident in your role.

My advice would be to take your time and learn as much as you can in the role before trying to certify. There is a reason they recommend 2 years of experience before testing. Utilize the APIC resources for studying and don’t be afraid to reach out to seasoned IPs to help you prepare for the exam.

Absolutely having a certification is worth the investment for your career, the benefits are well worth the time spent.

Do not let fear stand in your way of achieving certification. Feel the fear, (whatever it is for you) and do it anyway! You got this.

Do it! It is a commitment but, in the end, extremely rewarding, and is validation of your competency.

Go for it! We all have a little test anxiety. For the most part, I think we know more than we give ourselves credit for. There are so many options now that one of them should fit your need. Find a phone a friend, study, be inquisitive, and take a leap.

If you love Infection Prevention and see yourself as an Infection Preventionist for more than a few years, commit to the field and to being a leader and example for those just entering the field. You can do it!

If you plan to make a career of being an Infection Preventionist it shows you are prepared to accept a position to which you may want to advance. Plus it qualifies to apply to be on the CBIC board and be involved in the evolution of certification. I have had the privilege of serving on the board and has its President.

Study. Don’t be afraid to test, just prepare. If you want to be an IP, you must go ahead and do it.

Join community of practises and interest groups, participate in your local IPAC Canada chapter and engage with others that are novice as well as experienced in infection control.

Definitely do it! You will grow through the process and it will vastly improve your practice!

Study hard and just take the test! You know more that you think you do! You will be proud to have CIC credentials behind your name.

The CIC can help you acquire in-depth knowledge about best practices, guidelines, and protocols related to preventing and managing infections. By implementing the knowledge gained from certification, you will be able to play a crucial role in safeguarding the well-being of patients and the community. It is a valuable investment in your professional development and can open doors to numerous opportunities for you.

Certification requires competence in the many different areas under the IP umbrella. It is the designation to say that you are the qualified individual to perform the job. Reward yourself and become certified.

That you apply yourself to prepare for the exam, use available resources to help you and go for it. It is recognized as a standard of advanced knowledge in our field and will serve you well in your career

Just do it! The time spent preparing for the exam is time well spent!

I would advise anyone considering earning their CIC to go for it! Do not let fear or other barriers stop you from this professional achievement. In addition to confirming your expertise in infection prevention, your CIC will also open doors to experiences you may not even be interested in yet! I have never regretted earning my CIC and I have actually been extremely grateful for the many wonderful opportunities that I have had because of my CIC.

Do it! It’s such a great accomplishment and you’ll feel so good afterwards!

Set a date. Use the study guide and answer one question at a time. Look up the answer and read the rational for each answer (whether you answered it correctly or not). After you have completed all the tests in that manner, complete each test without looking up the answers until the test is complete. You will be amazed at what you know! Once certified, re-certify with IPUs!

Don’t be intimidated by certification. There are lots of resources for someone who is going to certify for the first time, so take advantage of those. Approach the study process for certification as an opportunity to expand your knowledge of the field rather than as a chore.

Certification is very important and will open up a lot of doors for you in your career.

Look for others who are preparing to certify. Make preparation a priority by blocking off some time on your calendar every month.

The initial certification exam can be challenging for the novice ICP. I was working as an ICP in acute care for about 5 years before I took the exam (medicine and ED portfolio); I still found it challenging despite my daily work experience. There are so many more resources now than at the time I certified. What helped me was to study with others who were going through the same process. I respond best to group studying. The APIC text was very helpful as well, and I did many of the practice exams on the CBIC website as well. Before you decide to write, make sure you are well prepared. You can do it!

If you want to succeed, certification is vital. How can I assist you?

It truly is a satisfying experience to know that you have the knowledge and experience to meet the challenges in IP.

There are multiple types of certifications, but I would say look at where you are in your career and what you want to accomplish, then base your decision on that. I believe certifications in whatever your career goals are will benefit you professionally and personally. Professionally, it will enhance your credibility and knowledge and personally, it will give you that feeling of confidence in yourself that you will you to succeed in your career and your life.

Do it. You learn and grow every step of the way. You explore areas of infection prevention and control that may not be in your usual purview, but which help you expand your knowledge, allowing you to readily apply various concepts in different settings. You will feel not only a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment, but you will recognize that you have a distinct expertise that enhances delivery of safe, quality care in your chosen setting. Being certified as an infection preventionist provides you with confidence in yourself and credibility in the eyes of others. Just do it.

Certification allows you to have respect in the field as well as in your employment.

Go ahead and do it! It requires a lot of studying. But don’t think of it as studying, but rather solidifying your knowledge base. We have all been through it. It is a great feeling when you pass.

Be familiar with your strong points, and study the different topics that will be on the exam. And be confident of your skills!

Keep your eyes open. Asks questions when you think something is questionable. Know your major sources and introduce yourself to them. Study hard (the test is not easy)! Enjoy the knowledge you gain daily and share with other clinical workers confidently!

Do not wait until you feel 100% ready – it can be too easy to let the CIC seem unreachable. Just do it (after you study – ba~).

Attend the national conference and local chapter conferences/meetings to gain a broader perspective. Conferences are also great opportunities to network with other IPs who are either certified or preparing for certification. Also, consider joining a local or virtual study group, or attend a CIC exam prep course.

Go for your CIC; you will gain wisdom and confidence in yourself and your decision-making process to provide safe and quality patient care.

Study and seek out those who are certified to help you with study. We IPs are a generous group and are always happy to increase the herd of those Certified in IP.

Create windows of time to dedicate to preparation. Focus on the content that you are least familiar. JUST DO IT!! I wish I had taken my certification exam sooner. There is a (well-earned) pride in seeing the CIC credentialing associated with my name and it brings a measure of trust to those you are working with and advising that you have both the knowledge and authority to best guide them.

Stop doubting yourself, just take the test. I see too many people stressed out about passing the test. They spend months or years preparing for it, and when they finally take it, they realized they do know the information.

Absolutely one of the most important thing you can do as a professional is to be certified. This is just the beginning and being recognized as an expert in the field of infection, prevention and control.

If you are an IP, obtaining your certification is not only a huge milestone to be proud of but also a path leading to professional competence in infection prevention and control.

I would recommend not waiting to long for fear of failure. Take a course, buy the CBIC course book to prepare, study, and take the test.

Get your certification. Employers will use this information for professional growth and serving as a subject matter expert in the field of Infection Prevention.

Take the time to study, learn your position as an Infection Preventionist. Apply the practical knowledge to your job then sit when you are confident with your skill set.

Its better to be part of infection Control team before appearing the exam and prepare well before the exam. It is worthy to get certified.

It will seem scary and overwhelming but I will be totally worth the effort; you’ll never regret this decision.

I would tell them to review the CBIC materials and review their guidance on test resources and carefully study all references. Schedule study time over several months and review the content in an organized manner using a the APIC text and other resource materials. Test yourself using the prep materials and focus on your strengthening your weak areas. Reach out to you APIC chapters to and other infection prevention organizations in your state for opportunities to participate in study groups. Remember that the information you are studying will help you become a well-rounded, more impactful IP. Achieving certification will benefit the patient populations that you serve and will also advance your career.

Study the materials and take the test. You will find it beneficial to your professional growth and career.

To absolutely become certified. It provides expertise in the field of infection prevention.

Just do it! It is a very rewarding accomplishment and one you will not ever regret.

Do it!

Do it. Maintain it. It is a source of pride and accomplishment.

Being CIC certified is job security for IPAC positions; being certified allows for advancement within the organization; being certified generally commands respect from the rest of the organization, giving the IP a louder voice and including them at the right tables; other organizations within the community may turn to you for IPAC support when they know you are certified. Advice is to become certified. Take your time to obtain some lived IPAC experiences and reach out to colleagues within your network to provide you with experiences you are unable to have at your own workplace. Take some courses prior to certification and use the CIC study guide when you think you are ready to do the exam to find out what you don’t know enough about.

I strongly encourage any candidate that is considering taking the CIC examination to do it! The APIC study guide and online text were key in preparing for the exam. Studying for the CIC promotes knowledge of infection control topics and professional growth – The CIC designation provides formal recognition that IPs possess specific knowledge to facilitate prevention of infections in the healthcare setting.

Absolutely go for it! It is not an easy certification to obtain. However, if you properly prepare by gaining some experience and utilizing available study resources it is achievable and will give you a sense of pride and confidence in yourself!

I would advise someone considering certification is to spend time in the sterile processing department to really understand what occurs there. Also take time to study each day, not try to study all at once just before the exam.

Do it! If you love what you do and you want to be confident implementing your ideas for change, Do it!

An infection control career is one where you can actually improve the lives of patients, visitors, and staff not just in the hospital but also in the community, and where you can constantly learn something new. My recommendation for pursuing this job is to always be open to learning, to be able to apply what you have learned to your field of practice and to pursue certification in the area.

You get certified not only because it’s a requirement but it’s a passion to make you a better, efficient and effective Infection Preventionist through acquiring the required competencies in the infection prevention and control program.

If you have already identified that you are an amazing infection preventionist! Why not continue to grow in the path of maintaining up to date research and best practice in all areas of infection prevention. These 4 questions will help you identify if you might enjoy working passionately as an infection preventionist. 1.) Have you had some training or experience in public health, patient care, clinical research, or lab work 2.) Do you thrive in a variety of settings – IPs work all over healthcare facilities from the bedside, to the lab, to the executive suite 3.) Do you enjoy collaborating with and teaching colleagues from many different departments 4.) Do you like doing detective work to identify the source of a problem 5.) Do you want to make a big difference in all aspects of patient safety (quality care) for healthcare workers and especially all our patients

Certification can feel intimidating when joining Infection Prevention. But the study and attention needed to pass will give you the confidence, and show your commitment to safe practice! You will be ready for the next situation, armed with knowledge gained across the scope of practice covered by the CIC.

It is a confidence builder to know that you have that proficiency knowledge. Confidence translates to your interactions with your colleagues and impacts how you present information. When your colleagues see that confidence that you have for yourself, it gives them confidence that they can trust your input and recommendations.

Do it! Much is learned along the study pathway leading to certification.

Certification is an important career milestone that sets you and the patients you care for up for success. Don’t be afraid to take the next step; it’s worth it!

Do it! Yes, it is a bit stressful but it is worth it to know that you have the knowledge and to be able to confer that to others by proudly displaying your CIC credentials.

Don’t overthink it. Don’t doubt yourself – you can do it.

Study, alone or better yet, with others, and take the test. You will do better than you think. CIC is vitally important to you and our profession.

Don’t over think it, you know more than you think you do.

It is worth taking one.It is the basic knowledge an ICP must have.It is not a difficult exam just go through the CIC exam guidance tips and all the resources.

If infection control is your passion then certification is the path to achieve your goals.

The knowledge you gain will be advantageous throughout your career. You will be viewed as an expert in infection prevention and control, which will provide opportunities for you to assist and teach others in the field.

My advice is to study the references and focus on the area(s) that you feel least knowledgeable about. In my case, that was education of adult learners, since I wasn’t aware of the theories. It helped to study!

Go for it! CIC will expand your growth and development, and enhance your credibility in infection prevention.

Check out the CBIC website for helpful information about certification to equip yourself with knowledge about certification and the examination. Set a goal and timeline for when you would like to pursue certification. Then get organized and make a plan for how you will approach preparing for taking the exam for certification so that it won’t feel overwhelming. Identify resources (e.g., books or on-line texts, prep courses, practice exams, study groups, people) available to you that will help you to prepare. Talk to peers who are preparing for certification as well as those who are already certified to get some helpful tips. Stay motivated and stick to your plan.

Currently, the most globally recognized certification body is CBIC. It is well-organized and based on the body of knowledge an IP should possess. Therefore, yes, it is important for IPs worldwide to be certified to confirm their knowledge and skills, which will create a safer environment for patients around the world. I advise them not to underestimate the test, understand the requirements and study well. You will never pass unless you reach the required level of knowledge and expertise.

Set your goal to become CIC. Allow yourself time to study and make sure to set priorities for the year. I would highly recommend that you take a CIC prep course and possibly get a mentor to help you be accountable. CIC can help boost your professional credibility and prestige within your own network and it makes you more marketable.

Certification is a great way to publicly display competency in the field on infection prevention and epidemiology. It can help advance your career and provide you with a diverse career opportunities in the field of infection prevention.

It truly has been an honor and a pleasure to work in this field. I cannot imagine doing this without my certification. This opened up my career in ways I could not have imagined. I can say that I would not be where I am today had I not worked hard to obtain and retain my certification. It has been well worth every minute that I dedicated to this certification.

Because certification is the only rigorous, validated and standardized measure of one’s knowledge and competence to safely and effectively practice infection prevention and control, it is a vital component and indicator of professional commitment. Becoming certified sends an important message to administrators, peers, and employees. So get certified!