AACN ACNPC-AG boards

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I'm scheduled to take my ACNP-AG boards through the AACN in a few weeks. Has anyone taken it recently? If so, how is the test layed out? Is it all multiple choice? Also, are there specific drug dosing questions? I can't seem to find any information regarding the test. Any suggestions would be great.

Hello everyone,

I am taking the AG-ACNP through AACN in 3 weeks and would be so grateful if the community members who has taken the exam though AACN can share your study strategies, materials/resources used, and amount of time you spent spending, and a general idea of what to expect. I would be so appreciative. Thank you!

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Thanks for sharing!

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I studied almost 4 weeks. Went over AACN (ACNPC-AG) online review course few times (you get this free when you register with them), took Barkley review course Live. Many say that his CD's are same as his review course. I also studied from CCRN book and did many CCRN questions. All of this helped in some way.

Go over each topic in their blue print , google it, use Medscape or pathophysiology book. Just have general idea not in much depth. Know the diagnostic tests.

Hope this helps!

Good luck!!

There were no synergy questions just general ethical questions and couple research questions.

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Specializes in MICU.

Hey for those who took the test.....Did you pass the first time? Any tips? Most of my classmates are taking the AANC test and passing the first time so far. I'm the only one taking the AACN's test. I've done the free online review from AACN, will do the practice questions closer to when I test, done Barkley, and doing all of the DRTs from him. THANKS!

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I just took the AACN ACNPC-AG test and passed. It was a really hard exam! I think what makes it hard is there is very little information to make diagnosis. But I felt like it was a fair test. I studied the online review course provided by AACN. Every topic that they covered, I made sure I knew ins and out of those topics. In the cardiology section, there were questions on preoperative cardiac risk stratification, which was not covered. Cover those throughly as you study. Also, how to calculate tube feed goal rate (ml/hr) given patient's weight (kg) and formula (kcal/ml). Antibiotics were there, which ones cover gram negative, gram positive, or pseudomonas. There were ventilator changes questions (know what high pressure alarm mean, or what low pressure alarm mean and how to fix it). Common medication side effects and their EKG changes (anti-depressant, what EKG changes do you see). There were a lot of questions on ACNPC as educator and mentor. There were questions on spinal cord diseases (Spinal stenosis vs disc herniation, spinal abscess, and things like that (know clinical manifestation and treatment). My husband is physician and he recommended USMLE step 3 for me for practice questions. I purchased it for $150 and I think it was very helpful. The more practice questions you do, the more comfortable you feel answering questions. USMLE step 3 cardiology, pulmonary, and neurology was very similar to this exam. Good luck and don't panic! :)

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malekajan,

I am going to take the aacn. May I email you? I have some questions.

Thank you

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Lets keep this thread going. There are a lot of people who want to take the AACN exam but are totally lost in the preparation. Did anyone have any issues with hospitals accepting this exam instead of the ANCC exam?

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S_blouin,

I am pretty sure governing body (State Board of Nursing) accepts this for certification to get licensed. In hospitals, I believe they have a committee where they credential to work in that particular hospital but you have to have a license and be certified. Hope this helps. I am just wanting information on if the free review that is provided from the AACN is similar to how the questions look on the boards.

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Of the few jobs I have interviewed for, they state that either exam (AACN or ANCC) is acceptable for credentialing. I think the AACN test will be more like what most people are used to.

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anyone still following this thread?? I am scheduled to take AACN ACNP-AG exam next week and would really like some input.....I have been studying CCRN book and questions as well as have gone through Fitzgerald review. Any material stick out that isn't covered in a regular review? I have been doing the review course that you get with paid exam....is that enough at all? Getting really nervous! TIA :-)

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Hey! Not sure if you still need info or not but I just took AACN AGACNP certification and passed today. Good grief-- it is SO much easier than these review course people make it out to be.

I TOTALLY think that the review course developers and review book writers create hype just to sell their products-- I really do. It is a very straightforward exam.

Know physical exam basics, EKG patterns for MI's, acid-base disturbances, major endocrine issues, and electrolyte abnormalities.

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I agree! Most people could pass the AACN version; its more like what people get in school and very similar to the CCRN...

Now the ANCC version is absurd... without a prep course I could see how it is difficult. New grads should consider the AACN version over the ANCC and not go off of what their faculty memebers (who are probably item writers for ANCC) tell them... also the practice guidelines come from AACN so...

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