European Diploma in Pain Nursing

This European Diploma in Pain Nursing aims to provide a benchmark across Europe to ensure a consistency of standards and outcomes across the pain nursing community.  

Nurses who enrol for the diploma will receive upon successful completion of the two-part examination a certificate and a badge. The nurse who is awarded the highest examination mark will be awarded the Laserina O’Connor Award (plus free registration to the next EFIC Congress).  

In the UK, if you are working as an Advanced Practitioner (pain specialist), and only have a generic qualification, this diploma will assure your colleagues and employers that you have the specialist knowledge, skills and professional behaviours. Nurses who have a postgraduate qualification in pain management can also benchmark against their peers.   

• The MCQ examination is designed to test the participants’ knowledge of the curriculum.
• The MCQ examination is written in English or German and features 50 questions.
• Each question will be composed of a stem followed by a minimum of four statements. Examinees should identify the correct statement(s).
• In 2025, the MCQ will be conducted virtually using the EFIC Academy Education Platform.
• The MCQ is worth 40% of overall EDPN exam.
• Time limit: 75 minutes

Please see MCQ examples below:

Topic: IASP Definition of Pain and Related Phenomena  

Section of Core Curriculum covered: 1.3.2 Describe terminology and definitions used in practice 

Reasoning: The nurse should be able to explain the common pain and pain-related phenomena according to the International Association for the Study of Pain’s (IASP) taxonomy and describe terminology and definitions used in practice. 

References: IASP taxonomy available from https://www.iasp-pain.org/resources/terminology/ 

Topic: Principles of Assessment  

Section of Core Curriculum covered: 3.2.1 Outcome measures  

Reasoning: Pain assessment and measurement can be a complex procedure; it requires effective interpersonal skills to build a trusting relationship with the patient, an evaluation of the wide range factors affecting the pain experienced and the selection of valid and reliable measures for that individual patient. The nurse needs to demonstrate a critical selection of appropriate valid and reliable assessment and outcome measures.  

References: European Pain Federation-Neuropathic Pain Special Interest Group of the International Association for the Study of Pain guidelines on neuropathic pain assessment. Eur J Neurol. 2023 Aug;30(8):2177-2196. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/ene.15831 

Schofield P, Docking R, Cox F et al (2018) The Assessment of Pain in Older People: UK National Guidelines. Age & Ageing. Mar 1;47(suppl_1):i1-i22. https://academic.oup.com/ageing/article/47/suppl_1/i1/4944054?login=false 

Topic: Principles of Treatment  

Section of Core Curriculum covered: 4.2.5 Alternative strategies for pain management  

Reasoning: Nurses are involved in a variety of non-pharmacological or non-medicinal interventions for pain management. Critically discuss the use, evidence, efficacy and potential interactions and adverse effects of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) used in the treatment of 

Pain. Nurses need to be able to critically discuss alternative strategies for pain management.  

References: Cochrane Complimentary Medicine  About us | Cochrane Complementary Medicine 

Topic: Pharmacological Interventions  

Section of Core Curriculum covered: 4.3.2 Critically discuss pharmacological treatments, potential adverse effects and indications, precautions and contraindications for use  

Reasoning: Pharmacological interventions are often the first line treatment for pain and nurses play a key role in medication administration, safety, patient education, evaluating medication effectiveness and management of side effects or adverse events. Pain Nurses need a comprehensive knowledge of pharmacological interventions.   

References: Levy, N., Quinlan, J., El-Boghdadly, K., Fawcett, et al  (2021), An international multidisciplinary consensus statement on the prevention of opioid-related harm in adult surgical patients. Anaesthesia, 76: 520-536. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.15262 

Liu S, Athar A., Quach D, Patanwala AE, et al . (2023), Risks and benefits of oral modified-release compared with oral immediate-release opioid use after surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Anaesthesia, 78: 1225-1236. https://doi.org/10.1111/anae.16085 

Topic: 6.1 Family and Patient Education, 4.2.4 Non-Pharmacological Interventions    

Section of Core Curriculum covered: Education, physical strategies and behavioural therapies  

Reasoning: Nurses are involved in a variety of non-pharmacological or non-medicinal interventions for pain management. These range from comfort/positioning and relaxation through to interventions that require additional training or qualifications. Nurses also play a central role in providing education for patients, their families and other healthcare professionals in the interprofessional team. 

References: EFIC Academy https://europeanpainfederation.eu/efic-academy/ 

Drake G, de C Williams AC.(2017)  Nursing Education Interventions for Managing Acute Pain in Hospital Settings: A Systematic Review of Clinical Outcomes and Teaching Methods. Pain Management Nursing. Feb;18(1):3-15.   

• The viva is designed to test the participants’ clinical experience, reasoning, attitude and communication skills.
• The viva is a 30-minute oral examination in which the applicant is asked to engage in a dialogue with two independent examiners. The viva will be based on two clinical case reports submitted by the applicant, which are graded ahead of the exam. A battery of standardised questions will be asked by the examiners. Further discussion can arise from these stem questions.
• The viva examination is worth 60% of overall EDPN exam; 50% for the viva and the case study presentation is worth 10% of the component score.
• In 2025, the viva will take place on September 12 2025 at the Paracelsus Medical University in Salzburg. The address is as follows:

Paracelsus Medical University
Strubergasse 21
5020 Salzburg
Austria

Please arrive at 08:30 am on September 12 2025, at the foyer of House C at Paracelsus Medical University. There, you will be welcomed and informed about the exact timing of your examination. The viva presentations will be conducted in German or English, depending on whether you registered for the German- or English-language examination.

The Examination will take place in two parts: 

• Part 1 – a multiple-choice question (MCQ) examination (75 minutes, 40%)
• Part 2 – a viva examination – 10% written case pro case (2 cases are necessary), case study reports (30 minutes), 40% viva
• The pass mark for the examination is 70% in total combining the scores from Parts 1 and 2. The minimum pass mark for Part 1 is 50%. 

EFIC shall aim to offer one full examination sitting per year. In 2025, Part 1 will take place virtually via the EFIC Academy Education Platform and Part 2 will take place in September 2025 in-person.  

Candidates will be accepted for participation if they meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Demonstrable possession of a Nursing Degree.
• Curriculum Vitae detailing at least three years’ clinical work in which patients with pain have been assessed and treated. Clinical work during postgraduate training and fellowships in which patients with pain have been assessed and treated can be used as proof of relevant clinical experience.
• Letter of support or endorsement from one referee. For example, a head of department, clinical director or senior colleague.
• Endorsement letter should state that the candidate is in good standing in their country, and in their department, and is involved in seeing and managing patients with pain on a regular basis.
• Strong working knowledge of English or German (oral and written).
• Payment of fees ahead of the requested deadline.
• Submission of all supporting documents required for vivas and any other presentations ahead of requested deadline.

The confirmation of any participant’s registration is at the discretion of the Examination Committee. Participants whose registration is not accepted shall be informed in writing with a brief justification, reflecting the eligibility criteria for the Examination.

The Examination Committee shall have the right to establish a maximum number of participants for any part of the Examination at any time should the number of eligible candidates exceed the resources available for the conduct of the Examination. Candidates who are not accepted on this basis will be eligible to apply in the future, but are not automatically included on a waiting list for the subsequent Examination.

The Examination content, both written and oral, will be offered in English and German. Participants are advised that a high-level of spoken and written English or German is required. Translation or interpretation services are not possible for this Examination.

• Candidates will be provided with pens and pencils. No additional materials can be taken into the Examination venues.
• Electronic devices such as phones, tablets, computers, smart watches or similar are strictly prohibited.
• Communication between participants during the Examination is strictly prohibited.
• Any participant found to be breaching these rules, or to be jeopardising the fair conduct of the Examination in any other way will be excluded. Any participant found to have passed any part of the Examination through fraudulent means will have their qualification rescinded.

Any participant wishing to appeal should write to the Examination Committee via the European Pain Federation EFIC Secretariat within four weeks off receiving their results. Appeals will be responded to by the Examination Committee within six weeks of the initial communication of results.

Registration is now open! The deadline to register for part 1 is 12 May 2025.

How to register

• Step 1. Follow the checkout process on this website and pay the fee to sit Part 1.
• Step 2. Upon registration, you will receive a follow up email with a form that you need to complete.  Please note: you will need English or German language copies of your curriculum vitae, current and valid nursing registration (if available) and copies of any qualifications or higher degrees. You will also need one letter of support or endorsement from for example, a head of department, clinical director or senior colleague. One could also be a European Pain Federation (EFIC) Councillor or Chapter Executive Board member. The letter should state that you, the candidate is in good standing in their country, and in their department, and is involved in seeing and managing patients with pain on a regular basis.
• Step 3. Your completed form will then be shared with the EFIC Education Committee who will decide if you meet the criteria. If your application is not successful, your fee will be refunded minus a 10% admin charge. Successful candidates will be provided with details of the examination process, and preparation required, signposted to resources and advised of examination logistics.
• Step 4. To learn about the content and format of the examination you will be invited to attend a webinar. You will receive the link to the webinar in your confirmation email.
• Step 5. As Part 1 takes place virtually, you will receive information on your login details and how to access the exam closer to the exam date.

Fees

Fees are excluding VAT and non-refundable. To sit Part 1 of the Examination a registration fee of 150 Euros is required. If you successfully pass Part 1, you will be required to pay an additional sum of 100 Euros in order to finalise your registration for Part 2.

25% discount for #EFICAcademy members 

• If you are already a member, you have been sent the discount code via email already. If you have not received it yet, please reach out to academy@efic.org.
• If you are not yet a member, feel free to sign up for #EFICAcademy membership while registering for the exam at the same time; a 25% discount (before VAT) will be applied to the exam fee automatically.

Financial Aid

Please look out for future updates on whether EFIC are offering financial support for their upcoming examinations.

Travel visa

The European Pain Federation EFIC is not responsible for personal visa applications to take the exam. EFIC can assist with supporting letters, but if any candidates experiences difficulties obtaining their visa, they are liable for their own costs. In the case of a rejected visa, we will be happy to refund the exam fee (minus a 10% admin fee) if you can provide us with a confirmation 2 month’s ahead of the exam.