Certification ANCC vs AANP; Best prep

Published

Need to certify and I'm intimadated by exam process. Any recommendations on which exam is better ( easier) to take & pass?

Lisc as FNP, but work only with adults ( have done same for nearly 40 yrs). Worked in surgicenters and medical esthetics last 10 years... checking if I can take only adult np exam. Have MSN as a CS since '83, & NP certificate since '95.

Any recommendations on best study prep/ courses/ books/tapes, etc? Thanks for any input.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Hospital and Outpatient.

Hello! I just graduated from my program, Adult Nurse Practitioner. I'm applying for the AANP exam. My professors told me that both tests are equally difficult. I applied for the AANP exam because my professor likes their exam (my professor took both). The Fitzgerald review course is the best way to study. you can either by the review CD's or take a live course. I am doing both. www.fhea.com Good Luck! I plan on take the exam in Feb. or March.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Hello! I just graduated from my program, Adult Nurse Practitioner. I'm applying for the AANP exam. My professors told me that both tests are equally difficult. I applied for the AANP exam because my professor likes their exam (my professor took both). The Fitzgerald review course is the best way to study. you can either by the review CD's or take a live course. I am doing both. www.fhea.com Good Luck! I plan on take the exam in Feb. or March.

This was about 5 years ago.

I would recommend going to a live program if you can afford / have the time. You get the most up-to-date information plus they compare with what the testing trends seem to be. You also get to ask questions with immediate feedback.

I did both (most of my class dis both): live program and CDs. I listened to the CDs at home in the car. I was able to review my notes from the program while listening to the tapes. Just really depends on you and how you like to review. But in the live program there were students from around the country and talking with them and listenting to their questions you get a feel of just how different each states teaches/trains NPs.

Usually when Fitzgerald is close by in a program I try to be in attendance. The lady is great speaker and very personable.

The debate about testing was raging when I graduated

Two things won us over:

1) Convenience

2) How we were able to sign our signatures.

AANP had more computer testing opportunities closer to where we were.

We liked FNP-C

*

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Need to certify and I'm intimadated by exam process. Any recommendations on which exam is better ( easier) to take & pass?

Lisc as FNP, but work only with adults ( have done same for nearly 40 yrs). Worked in surgicenters and medical esthetics last 10 years... checking if I can take only adult np exam. Have MSN as a CS since '83, & NP certificate since '95.

Any recommendations on best study prep/ courses/ books/tapes, etc? Thanks for any input.

In order to become certified as an Adult NP, you will have to complete an Adult NP program. I'm certified as an Adult NP (ANCC), Gerontological NP (ANCC) and Family NP (AANP) and I had to complete separate course work and REPEAT clinical hours for these certifications. There is no way and I mean NO WAY the AANP or ANCC will let you certify unless you've graduated from an Adult NP program. I think you'll be surprised at how much more schooling and clinical hours you'll have to do. And if you live in Texas, you can't get paid for clinical hours, so basically you'll be working for free. Trust me...it will be VERY easy to find preceptors!

I thought the AANP exam was much easier hands down. It may have been because it was the FNP exam and not a "specialty" exam though.

Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I have heard both are equal but that the ANCC is harder due to the theory content. Most of us remeber clinical because that is what we used in our clinical practice.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion