ANCC Frustrations

Specialties NP

Published

Specializes in PMHNP/FNP.

I have been an FNP since 2011 and am now enrolled in a DNP/PMHNP program. I completed all of the PMHNP didactic and clinical work in May 2020. I passed PMHNP boards September 1, 2020. I am one class away from completing my DNP (final portion of project) and was supposed to graduate in December, however I lost my job due to COVID (and therefore my project site) on September 29. The DNP program decided that it would be best for me to withdraw from the final class and complete it in the Spring. ANCC is refusing to release my PMHNP certification because my transcript does not have a final graduation date. It took 3 weeks to even get them to respond to my questions, and I am extremely frustrated with them. The dean and associate director of my nursing program have sent in a gap analysis as well as PMHNP program completion verification, but they are still refusing to release my certification. I feel like I am being punished for going for the DNP! Anyone have a similar experience? I am supposed to start a new PMHNP position on November 17 and don’t know what to do!

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No advice unfortuntely, but just support for how frustrating that is. They should at least honor the fact that you completed the psych NP part of your program and passed the boards. Esp since you being withdrawn from the program was due to COVID19....horrible!

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

Could your school make an exception and re-classify you as a post-Master's graduate of a PMHNP program? ANCC really just needs a final transcript which you don't have. 

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Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.
20 hours ago, APike said:

I have been an FNP since 2011 and am now enrolled in a DNP/PMHNP program. I completed all of the PMHNP didactic and clinical work in May 2020. I passed PMHNP boards September 1, 2020. I am one class away from completing my DNP (final portion of project) and was supposed to graduate in December, however I lost my job due to COVID (and therefore my project site) on September 29. The DNP program decided that it would be best for me to withdraw from the final class and complete it in the Spring. ANCC is refusing to release my PMHNP certification because my transcript does not have a final graduation date. It took 3 weeks to even get them to respond to my questions, and I am extremely frustrated with them. The dean and associate director of my nursing program have sent in a gap analysis as well as PMHNP program completion verification, but they are still refusing to release my certification. I feel like I am being punished for going for the DNP! Anyone have a similar experience? I am supposed to start a new PMHNP position on November 17 and don’t know what to do!

I see how frustrating it is for you, but to be fair, I see the ANCC's point to. I do item writing for ANCC and AACN for the ACNP boards and am also on the standard setting committee. To gain certification and licensure, you have to have completed either an MSN or DNP in the relevant area plus the three Ps: advanced patho, advanced phys assessment, and advanced pharm. You might have completed the three Ps, but you DON'T  have a degree. Please see the following requirements:

Quote

Hold a master's, post-graduate, or doctoral degree from a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). 

(Emphasis mine)

So you should not be frustrated with ANCC because you clearly do not meet requirements since you haven't graduated yet.  

The proper remedy as someone else mentioned would for your school to allow an 'MSN exit option.' This is where DNP enrolled students after completing the clinical component of their course, be it ACNP, PMHNP, WHNP, etc decide to forego completing the DNP coursework and instead exit with an MSN.

I do wish for the best and I'm not criticizing you. I just wanted to give another perspective and provide a possible solution. 

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Specializes in PMHNP/FNP.

Actually, I do have a degree, a Master’s in nursing that I completed with my FNP in 2011. All of the required PMHNP courses have been completed and they do have a copy of my MSN transcript as well. 

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Specializes in ACNP-BC, Adult Critical Care, Cardiology.
5 minutes ago, APike said:

Actually, I do have a degree, a Master’s in nursing that I completed with my FNP in 2011. All of the required PMHNP courses have been completed and they do have a copy of my MSN transcript as well. 

We get that, but NP's who want to add another certification (ie, FNP then PMHNP in your case) must either graduate from a post-Master's PMHNP certificate program or a  PMHNP DNP program for ANCC to grant your national certification.  Their rules are firm, your school however, can change your status as a graduate of a post-Master's PMHNP program.

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Specializes in Vascular Neurology and Neurocritical Care.
5 minutes ago, APike said:

Actually, I do have a degree, a Master’s in nursing that I completed with my FNP in 2011. All of the required PMHNP courses have been completed and they do have a copy of my MSN transcript as well. 

I edited my post. At any rate, look at the quote I provided. 

Quote

Hold a master's, post-graduate, or doctoral degree from a psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner program accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (formerly NLNAC | National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission). 

You may have an FNP MSN, but you do not have a PMHNP post graduate degree, MSN, or DNP by virtue of not graduating yet from the PMHNP program. So your previous MSN is not relevant as per these criteria and you do not meet these requirements. It sucks, but its the standard that has been in place since forever. Have your program convert you to a post grad certificate and let you graduate, IF their program certification lets them do that.

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Specializes in PMHNP/FNP.

From what I understand, it is not an option at my school to convert a student to the Post-Master’s Certificate Program. The assistant dean said they two completely separate programs. There were some staffing changes at the school of nursing and I believe that they basically just made a mistake when they indicated that I could be licensed as an PMHNP  after I completed the didactic and clinical component. I was told that since I was already an FNP with a MSN, this would be allowed. I am just hoping that I will still be able to work in the position I was offered as an FNP until my certification is released. 

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

It's frustrating but ANCC has to follow its own requirements. The degree that ties to your PMHNP must be conferred for you to be board certified. A degree is not required to take the exam, but it is required for the "-BC."

Imagine someone in your situation, and ANCC grants the certification, but for whatever reason the final project was never finished and no degree was ever issued (unusual, but not impossible). In that case, people will be walking around with board certification without a degree in PMHNP.

If you're already an FNP I think some employers will hire you. There are no restrictions that prevent FNPs from prescribing psych meds, but you might have an issue with insurance company credentialing you as a BH provider. You can say that you "passed ANCC exam and awaiting for board certification."

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

@APike  that's tough. Unfortunately, there are schools that do not offer the post-Master's NP option at all for certain NP tracks so that may be the case with you.  I do agree that as an FNP you could apply to some Psych positions with the understanding that you are almost "board-eligible" having already passed the test and just waiting for your degree.  The issues would be some insurance companies and potentially state BON restrictions.  Did ANCC say how long they will honor that passing score on the certification exam?

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Specializes in PMHNP/FNP.

I haven’t asked ANCC about that, but from what I have read on their website, your application is considered “abandoned” after 2 years if you are a DNP student, 1 year for MSN students. I only have the 1 class, which is the end of my DNP project, so hopefully it won’t be an issue to complete. The position I have accepted is at a behavioral health center and I would be seeing adults and children. It’s an awesome position and I am going to be heartbroken if it does not work out. 

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Specializes in oncology.

ANCC is in NO Way an academic institution and are really just $ for certification. Have they helped RNs during the pandemic at all besides providing webinars of dubious value? I also paid into the ANA thinking they were helping my profession until I attended a convention where they provided no responsibility for speakers not showing up or communicating the absense to the audience waiting (BTW they were not aware of the speaker's absence and were rude when I pointed out to them I had waited 15 minutes for the speaker to show up rather than attending another speaker). The ANCC is just a money grab.

I obtained ANCC certification in the early years without all this workshop etc stuff. Afterwards I never heard from them unless it involved more money.."Renew today for another 5 years"  when I still had 2 more years before renewal. With the pandemic they have had a great forum for helping nurses....oh, I forgot they boast about writing letters (that probably arrived and were unread)

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