Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke.
A stroke happens when a there is a lack of blood flow to the brain. The three types of strokes are:
- Ischemic — caused by a blood clot and accounts for 87% of all strokes
- Hemorrhagic — caused by a weakened vessel that ruptures and bleeds into the brain
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)— commonly referred to as a "mini stroke" or "warning stroke" caused by a temporary blockage;
Although it is helpful for the general public to be able to recognize signs of a stroke, it is especially critical for healthcare providers -- like nurses and caregivers -- to be competent in identifying and assessing stroke patients, and working together to develop individualized treatment plans.
There are several organizations that offer stroke certifications. However, obtaining an NIHSS certification through the American Heart Association (AHA) is usually required by healthcare organizations nationwide, especially acute care hospitals.
Hospitals seek stroke center designation as a quality accreditation, and yearly stroke training for all staff is typically a requirement.
What does NIHSS stand for?
NIHSS is an acronym for National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale. This is the gold standard for rating stroke severity as it is a 15-point scale that measures levels of consciousness, loss of vision, arm mobility, facial palsy, difficulty with speech or comprehension, and more.
How do I find the NIH Stroke Scale Certification page on the AHA website?
https://education.heart.org/productdetails/nih-stroke-scale-test-group-a
How long does the NIH Stroke Scale training program course take to complete?
The initial course (Test Group A) takes about two hours to complete. The additional online course modules are broken down into five intervals — Group B, Group C, Group D, Group E, and Group F — and will also take about two hours to complete.
Who should get NIHSS certified?
According to Heart.org, the target audience for the NIH Stroke Scale training program includes the following healthcare professionals: emergency physicians, neurologists, Registered Nurses (RNs), Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs), clinical researchers and medical students.
What is the cost?
It depends. The NIHSS certification course cost is $10 for non-AHA members. For those who hold American Heart Association membership, there is no registration fee, so the course would be no cost.
Does my NIHSS certification expire?
Yes. The initial certification for Test Group A is valid for 12 months from the original testing date. It is recommended that after passing Group A, registrants should complete Group B in the next six months. And then all remaining groups (C, D, E, and F) are to be completed every 12 months.
Still have additional questions? Check out the NIHSS FAQ page from the American Heart Association.
There is an additional way to obtain a stroke certification through a provider called APEX. Many hospitals and healthcare organizations will accept an APEX stroke certification and it's totally free.
Additional Resources
- F.A.S.T Infographic
- 5 Key Facts About Stroke
- NIH Stroke Scale PDF
- Stroke statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Stroke risk factors from Stroke.org
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