NP Certification-ANCC vs AACN

[Ad1029]

Hello fellow students. I am on the verge of graduating with my DNP AGACNP degree in December-may (depending on DNP project defense). My question is in regards to comparing the differences between certification bodies (AACN vs ANCC). I currently understand that both bodies are nationally accepted and accredited although was hoping to be provided with more context, particularly with the degree of questions, experiences with customer service in applying and testing dates? I hear a lot of people taking the ANCC simply because it is the most understood and experienced governing body, with some people even saying the content is much easier? Tell me your experiences, please and thank you! I plan on working as a hospitalist and then transitioning into critical care. I am currently an ICU nurse :)

[Corey Narry, MSN, RN, NP]

Their exam content outlines vary in terms of wording. AACN's exam is more straightforward in terms of content with 79% of questions dedicated to clinical judgement in practice.

Contrast that to ANCC's test content which only includes something like 40ish% questions related to clinical practice. The rest of the percentage, ANCC's devotes to NP role, NP Core Competencies, Research, Ethics, etc. I took the ANCC exam (in 2004 before AACN started a separate test) and it was "clinical" enough but there were certainly a bit of research, ethics, health systems questions thrown in.

Of course the test I took has been revised over the years but the general consensus seems to be that ANCC tends to ask a lot more non-clinical practice related questions. Both organizations are very professional as a corporate entity and will process your applications seamlessly and efficiently as soon as you send them the money.