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Discussion

AACN Not Acceptable Certification

Just wanted to share my experience because I thought I had done my research before choosing to take the AACN board exam. Coming from a critical care background I read that it would more closely align with my experience. I read that anecdotally some facilities preferred AANP but none that outright refused one or the other. 

I just got my first job offer, was finishing up all of the credentialing paperwork and the woman from HR wrote me that AACN is not accepted at the facility at this time. She said the certification committee could choose to accept my credentials, but I won't be able to recert, I'll have to take another board exam at that time. As long as they allow me to work I'm not too upset, but if I have to take another board exam, (at my expense) before they allow me to start I'm going to be very disappointed. 

I don't have ANY information about why they don't accept AACN and I couldn't find anywhere on the internet that others have had this problem. The position is with a state university teaching hospital, if I find out any more information I'll share it here so others have a heads up.

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    What does AACN stand for? What type of certification is this for?

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    • Author
    On 12/5/2021 at 2:11 AM, PollywogNP said:

    What does AACN stand for? What type of certification is this for?

    American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. The certification is for Acute Care NP. 

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    On 12/4/2021 at 7:34 PM, JBMmom said:

    I read that anecdotally some facilities preferred AANP but none that outright refused one or the other. 

    That would be an odd preference for an acute care site though; AANP doesn't have an acute care certification, just FNP, adult primary, and ENP.

    I would ask her what certification(s) they do accept. Assuming they prefer ANCC?

    Is your official credential ACNPC-AG? That looks like the credential from AACN?

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    • Author
    1 hour ago, JKL33 said:

    I would ask her what certification(s) they do accept. Assuming they prefer ANCC?

    You're right, I meant ANCC, not AANP. I had always planned on AACN because of my past experience, and I thought I would fare better with the more clinical exam. 

    I've followed up with the HR rep and my new supervisor but I haven't heard from anyone yet with feedback on the situation.

    Yes, that's my credential. 

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    I'm confused...you're a NP so you're certified through AANP or ANCC. What does AACN have to do with it? If possible, please answer ASAP due to me needing to know PDQ TBH.

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    2 hours ago, sleepwalker said:

    I'm confused...you're a NP so you're certified through AANP or ANCC. What does AACN have to do with it? ...

    AACN offers an ACNPC-AG certification.

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    Can you reference what area of the country this is?  That is worrisome.  I am currently in an acute care program (top 10) and they have said both certifying bodies are equally valid.

    ETA my understanding for acute care NP (adult):

    AACN (American Association of Critical Care Nurses) - offers certification with the credential ACNP-AG

    ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center...this is the credentialing body of the ANA) - offers certification with the credential AGACNP-BC

    .

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    22 hours ago, Polly Peptide said:

    Can you reference what area of the country this is?  That is worrisome.  I am currently in an acute care program (top 10) and they have said both certifying bodies are equally valid.

    ETA my understanding for acute care NP (adult):

    AACN (American Association of Critical Care Nurses) - offers certification with the credential ACNP-AG

    ANCC (American Nurses Credentialing Center...this is the credentialing body of the ANA) - offers certification with the credential AGACNP-BC

    .

    Interesting. I wasn't even aware of the AACN certification, but that's likely because I'm an FNP. When browsing job listings here, they've all required certifications to be from ANCC or AANP (East Coast region). 

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    • Author

     

    On 12/27/2021 at 7:02 PM, Polly Peptide said:

    Can you reference what area of the country this is?  That is worrisome.  I am currently in an acute care program (top 10) and they have said both certifying bodies are equally valid.

     I'm in the northeast, my program was based in the midwest and also recommended either ANCC or AACN. I've been in touch with the employer and they have said it's likely the credential committee will accept my certification without any problems. I just hadn't anticipated the bump in the road. 

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