ANCC and AANP

Joan Z · Aug 15, 2008

Curious, why would you apply to both?

I seem to recall hearing that AANP didn't certify in some specialties, but if you're this far along you probably know that they do whatever field you're in.

I waited for what seemed to be forever to hear from ANCC, however I have heard that not everyone has the same experience. However, my neighbor and classmate who went through AANP waited even longer, and finally found out they were missing something from the school. So graduation was 5/2/8 and she is now looking to take her test this fall. I have also been looking online to see who of my classmates has a pending or functional NP license. I seem to have been the first and there is now one more who is "pending". I do remember several classmates saying they thought AANP would be faster (and we all wanted to get done in a hurry) so I have to think they haven't tested yet.

All of the NPs in my area went through ANCC and said they seem to have their act together more for recertification.

I would guess if you have the $ you could do both, but I suspect the time involved will be around the same for both. Good luck.

lsutigerrn · Aug 15, 2008

Mainly because I'm afraid I might not pass the ANCC test and I would like to have the AANP exam for back-up. Its my paranoia.

Joan Z · Aug 16, 2008

Ah... I've heard (including on this forum) that if you can pass one, you can pass the other. My opinion was that anyone with a decent background and a solid review effort would pass the class. I didn't go to any classes but used CDs and the text of the Fitzgerald along with the ANCC review guide--I had other books also but these were my mainstays. It (the ANCC) was a very long test but certainly doable.

Joan

adria37 · Aug 16, 2008

I took both of them for FNP and in my experience the AANP exam was much more difficult that the ANCC exam.

ANPFNPGNP · Aug 21, 2008

I took both of them for FNP and in my experience the AANP exam was much more difficult that the ANCC exam.

Amazing, I took both as well and I thought the AANP was FAR EASIER!! I felt that the AANP questions were straightforward and more "clinical" oriented.

The AANP has a 92% pass rate on their FNP, ANP & GNP exams. This is higher than the ANCC's pass rates.

ANPFNPGNP · Aug 21, 2008

Curious, why would you apply to both?
I seem to recall hearing that AANP didn't certify in some specialties, but if you're this far along you probably know that they do whatever field you're in.
I waited for what seemed to be forever to hear from ANCC, however I have heard that not everyone has the same experience. However, my neighbor and classmate who went through AANP waited even longer, and finally found out they were missing something from the school. So graduation was 5/2/8 and she is now looking to take her test this fall. I have also been looking online to see who of my classmates has a pending or functional NP license. I seem to have been the first and there is now one more who is "pending". I do remember several classmates saying they thought AANP would be faster (and we all wanted to get done in a hurry) so I have to think they haven't tested yet.
All of the NPs in my area went through ANCC and said they seem to have their act together more for recertification.
I would guess if you have the $ you could do both, but I suspect the time involved will be around the same for both. Good luck.

I know someone who waited a full 10 months for her letter to test for the AANP FNP exam. They are notorious for being extremely disorganized and this is well known. However, if I were to choose between the 2 exams, I would take the AANP hands down. I've taken both and the AANP is not only easier, but has a higher pass rate. Plus, it doesn't have statistics/research questions on it and all that theory BS.

adria37 · Aug 22, 2008

I had one drug question that I can remember on the ANCC exam. The lab questions were simple to me with obvious out of norms. I guess everyone is different but I really believe I could have passed the ANCC exam without ever going to school to be a NP but I do have a degree in nursing education and a good grasp on research and theory. The ANCC exam just seemed easier and required less thinking. I also knew I passed the AANP exam and was not a bit nervous so that could have been why it seemed like it was so much easier.

NCLEX_CareBear · Aug 26, 2008

I took (and passed) the FNP certification exam last Wed. (8/20) via AANP. Everything went smoothly. Although I heard a few of my friends in the ANP track got audited. Yes. Normal values are available. I found the exam pretty straight forward. 150 questions in 3 hours is very do-able. I feel the only CON to the AANP is that you can only write the exam in certain times of the year. For studying, I used the Fitzgerald recorded CDs 2006 edition and her study guide (NP certification Exam and Practice Preparation - 2nd edition). I know someone who attended her live lectures and also bought her CDs. She said they are very similar. I highly recommend her study guide.

ANPFNPGNP · Aug 26, 2008

I took (and passed) the FNP certification exam last Wed. (8/20) via AANP. Everything went smoothly. Although I heard a few of my friends in the ANP track got audited.

You mentioned that your ANP friends were "audited." What does that mean?? Where do you live?

NCLEX_CareBear · Aug 27, 2008

AANP wanted to verify their clinical hours and placements...my friends had to send them copies of their clinical logs. What a pain! I live in MA.

ANPFNPGNP · Aug 27, 2008

AANP wanted to verify their clinical hours and placements...my friends had to send them copies of their clinical logs. What a pain! I live in MA.

That happened to someone I knew last year. It was the Tx Board of Nursing who audited their clinical hours/sites and that person had already passed their exam! We were told to keep a copy or disk of all that information, b/c supposedly the Board of Nursing can ask for it at any time, even if you've been practicing for years.