ANCC vs. AANP Certification?

Specialties NP

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From what I've been able to gather the ANCC is a more friendly test for those who fail the first time. (with the ANCC you can retake the test sooner and more times per year and there is no need to spend extra money taking CEU's if you fail the first time that is required by the AANP test)

I understand that there are differences in content between these two certifications.....but does it really matter for employment purposes?

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Specializes in Neuroscience, Cardiac Nursing.

Some employers prefer ANCC certification mainly because it's been around longer. You have to find out what job prefers. AANP exam is strictly clinical multiple choice questions. ANCC is a mix between clinical, delegation, research and leadership questions - at least 60% of the questions are clinical. There are also different types of question - multiple choice, pictures, multiple-multiple answers, ranking question by priority. The reason why ANCC has more chances to retest than AANP is because ANCC has 3 versions of the test vs AANP has 2 versions.

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Specializes in Cardiac, Home Health, Primary Care.

The general consensus from most allnurses commenters seems to be it doesn't really matter. Some employers don't even realize there are 2 certifying bodies. My employer just wanted me to be able to do the job. Both certs allow you to do that job.

I have read that occasionally an organization will truly want you with one over the other but from my research (I have stalked these boards for months especially before graduation) it doesn't matter in about 95% of cases.

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From my experience, most places that say they want ANCC just mean that they want you certified, but not specifically ANCC over AANP. It is generally a lack of knowledge of terminology of the person writing the position requirements. However, as some others mentioned, there may be a few companies that want one over the other, but I haven't run across that yet.

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To mirror other posters, it does not matter from whom you obtain your certification. The important thing is that both allow for state licensure and to work as an NP.

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