AACN vs. ANCC

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I have a question for Acute Care NPs. I will be graduating at the end of summer with my Masters in ACNP. My concern is on being certified. Is there a difference between AACN and ANCC. I was leaning towards AACN since i already have my CCRN through them but most people I know have ANCC. looking forward to your thoughts.

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the AACN is also approved for initial certification

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
The aacn is renewal only it looks like. So I think you'd have to still get your initial cert through acc.

Which confuses me. Is the aacn just an extra cert ?

AACN is American Association of Critical Care Nurses. They started an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP certification a few years back. The very first ACNP exam when it first came out in the 90's was jointly developed by AACN and ANCC, then it became solely developed by ANCC. Years later AACN decided to get "back in the game" and started their own exam.

OP, there are probably some states that still don't accept AACN certification as it's relatively new compared to the ANCC exam. When I asked someone from AACN about it, their answer was to check with your state first and that even in states where the AACN exam is not listed as recognized, the board of nursing will make an exception and accept it. Regardless, it's best to check with your state. I'm in California where both tests are accepted.

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THANK you for that clarification and information on how AACN has been involved with the certification process since it was started.

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.

AANP, though they are the national group representing NP's, only offers FNP and AG-Primary Care NP exams and not any of the other ones such as Acute Care, Neonatal, Women's Health, Peds, and Psych.

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AACN is American Association of Critical Care Nurses. They started an Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP certification a few years back. The very first ACNP exam when it first came out in the 90's was jointly developed by AACN and ANCC, then it became solely developed by ANCC. Years later AACN decided to get "back in the game" and started their own exam.

OP, there are probably some states that still don't accept AACN certification as it's relatively new compared to the ANCC exam. When I asked someone from AACN about it, their answer was to check with your state first and that even in states where the AACN exam is not listed as recognized, the board of nursing will make an exception and accept it. Regardless, it's best to check with your state. I'm in California where both tests are accepted.

It is accepted in all 50 states now.

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