Certification exams AANP vs. ANCC

[JACKMAC]

Hello to all NPs who have recently taken certification exams. What should I study? I am just overwhelmed with material. I have done the Fitzgerald CDs which were great. I have also gone through a book of 2500 questions, not as helpful. Any other suggestions? Is one exam that different than the other? Any difference in the two, AANP vs. ANCC? Thanks

[Christen, ANP]

From what I understand, the ANCC certifies nurses in general from RNs to NPs in certain areas, advanced practice or not. The AANP only certifies NPs (ANP or FNP only) and represents NPs only. The problem with the AANP is that they test in cycles 3 times per year so if you don't know that (like me too late) then you have to wait until the next cycle, which can be 4 months. There test cycles seem to be heavily concentrated in the summer so if you graduate in August you better have everything ready to send.

The ANCC you can test all year so there are no deadlines, which is the only reason I am taking their test. I would rather take the test and support the AANP since their interest is more toward NPs but they don't have the convieince of the ANCC.

You also sign your name differently based on the test you take too, although I rarely see this done in practice most people sign FNP or NP not APRN-BC. If you are a student, I highly, highly recommend going to www.fhea.com and look under certification information before you graduate. I also recommend, as do others, taking Fitzgeralds review course. It was better than my grad program.

I hope this helps.

Thank you for the information!

How would you sign your name differently? Is there any reason why one certification would be better than the other?

[JACKMAC]

This thread has been going for a while now. Since original postings, the ANCC has changed the way we can sign our names. I now sign ANP-BC. This information can be found on the ANCC website. Also if you are already certified by the AANP you can apply for reciprocity from the ANCC. Why you need this, I do not know but I am sure it may be helpful somewhere.

Also, since original posting, I do not know if the AANP has increased the number of times per year you can take the test. I am applying for re-certification next year from the ANCC. (Has it really been almost 5 years?)

[Christen, ANP]

Thanks for the updates!