irish_rainbow

Also, look at your report on what you scored below competence on from your last exam. Mine was management so I studied heavily on how to manage diseases that were discussed in the NAPNAP review course.

Hi there, I am also a NICU nurse with no PICU experience. I know that PNCB has 3-4 different exams, so you might see some different content. However, PNCB does a review of PNP job roles and tasks every 3-4 years and they update their content and questions based on that. So I say all that to say... I highly encourage you to look at the current acute care test blueprint. It will list the 4 main areas (assessment, diagnosis, management, and professional practice), as well as a rank order of the body systems. I used this plus the NAPNAP acute care review course to guide my studying. It really is possible to pass if you schedule out time to focus on the content, use the test blueprint, and follow along with the NAPNAP review course. They are offering a virtual live review course in September, so if you do better with synchronous learning that might be a better option for you. Best of luck... you can do it! -E

So it's 8 years later and I'm finally responding back to this post. I took the CPNP-AC twice in 2014 and made 396 both times (400 needed to pass). I was totally down on myself, decided that I wasn't smart enough to be an APRN, and moved on with my life. I got my DNP, my CNE, and my PED-BC certifications in the meantime. Jump forward to after a 2 year whirlwind pandemic, loss of very much loved family members, and a want to not leave things un-finished... and here we are 8 years later. I actually took the CPNP-AC last Wednesday and passed!! I'm waiting on the "final" results email. After 8 years of not practicing or studying as an APRN/student, I was really terrified of this experience. However, I wanted to share what I did in case anyone reading this is feeling nervous or discouraged. I bought the self-paced NAPNAP acute care review course. I worked through the lectures over 7 weeks, placing specific study times on my calendar to block out the time. I followed my study plan fairly well, but also gave myself grace when unexpected things got in the way. I also bought the two 75-question exams and the one 50 question drill quiz from PNCB on acute care. These were super helpful for pre and post... I took them before I started studying to gauge where I was, a few times in between to help me with important content, and then after I was done studying before I took the actual exam. I also printed and used the CPNP-AC exam blueprint (that is an absolute must!). Lastly, I bought Nelson's Pediatrics and used that to dive deeper into content that I didn't understand or needed fairly in-depth refreshment on. I honestly thought I'd never be an APRN... so I guess the moral of my story is to never give up on your dreams. ?

Hi satisfiedwithURcare, I passed my CNE on the first attempt. I ended up scheduling it for June 8th which was the week before my first DNP class started. I did the online Billings review, NLN's Certified Nurse Educator Review: The Official National League for Nursing Guide, Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Review Manual: Second Edition, and Theory And Research For Academic Nurse Educators: Application To Practice. I studied, did review questions, or watched the online review in some capacity almost every day for that whole month leading up to the exam. I ended up passing in the above average range, so my studying paid off greatly. I would recommend studying and taking the test during a break you might have between programs. I was really glad that I studied when I had the time because the day before my CNE exam, the university that I really wanted to obtain employment with called and offered me a full time faculty position with tenure and promotion. It might have affected me a little bit, but because I had studied so much I was able to focus on the test the next day. Honestly, I recommend finding a break somewhere to study/take the exam because if you try to give your time to too many things at once it will make everything more difficult. I hope this helps!

I got my eligibility to schedule my CNE today and have until August 10th to take it. My issue is the timeline for trying to study. I start my DNP program on June 13th and that class lasts until August 7th. Then I get a week long break before the next class starts on August 15th. I have three options for scheduling the exam and am not sure which one is best: 1) Schedule exam prior to DNP starting, but have 4 weeks to study 2) Schedule exam after DNP class is over, have 12 weeks to study, but study while in school and change my work schedule up to accommodate the testing date to sit for exam before August 10th 3) Schedule exam during DNP program at any time prior to August 10th and study while in school I have lots of study resources and have begun reading/taking practice tests. I'm doing an online review course given by Diane Billings. I plan to put all my time into studying for this test for the next 4 weeks while I don't have anything school related going on. I've taken 3 certification/licensure tests and I only passed 1 of them on the first try. I don't think I am a good standardized test-taker even though I have a 4.0 GPA. I also have test anxiety. My background includes a Masters in Nursing with Acute Care Pediatric focus, 6 years working in the NICU, adjunct clinical faculty for a BSN program since last October, and just finishing up my post-Masters in Nursing Educator. My DNP program that I'm starting in June is Educational Leadership. What do you guys think?

I don't actually have a NP job yet, but my specialty is pediatric acute care. This means that I can only work in a pediatric hospital. There is only one in my state, so I will contribute to this because I already know the starting salary. There are no negotiations unless you have lots of experience. I just graduated in May. List your starting RN hourly wage: $18.69/hour ($22.43 with night diff) (in 2010) How many years did you work as an RN before going for NP: 2 years (4 years when I finished NP program) What your starting hourly wage as a NP was: $70,000 salary ($37.39/hour working 36 hours per week or $33.56/hour working 40 hours per week) The facility has NPs in the hospital that work both types of schedules. Whether it's a hospital: Yes What state you live in: Delta/Mid South (I am kinda weird about giving out my location).

I would have not gone to school for my Masters if it had been $100k! NO! There are people that do it, I even work with a few. It boils down to what you really want... but for me I am terrified of debt. Also, I think it's a good idea to look for public universities that have hospitals you can work at with a tuition discount. I did this and my Masters education cost me about $7k including books and fees.

Is anyone else here getting ready to take it or recently took it this year? I'm taking it next month and I'm kind of nervous! I feel that my program was really good, but I have heard from most people that it's the hardest test you will ever take. I'm using the NAPNAP Conference notes, Lange Q&A Pediatrics, and Pediatric Critical Care Review. I also purchased the $75 Acute Care Prep Exam from PNCB. I'm curious if anyone is (or just recently) in my shoes and what you felt was most helpful in preparing.

I do agree with you on that. I do realize that we want to be recognized and respected as professionals. However, I do worry that we are putting respect of nursing as a whole over the individual respect that we give each other in this process to figure out the ladder.

I agree PMFB-RN. Unfortunately, we live in a culture these days that academic status seems to make people feel more qualified. I think lots of people, especially the younger people just now getting into the workforce, seem to be under this impression that higher education means higher pay. For a lot of careers, I'm sure that is the case. But you are totally correct... having your DNP does not qualify you anymore as a practitioner than having a MSN - Who is precepting those DNP students right now? MSN APRNS. I've seen this with the RN-BSN push, as well. Lots of hospitals are trying to reach Magnet status and want that 80% BSN RN rate. Most of the people I speak with in RN-BSN programs do not feel they have learned very much to make them a better nurse. On a semi-unrelated note, I hate how politics want to pit nurses against each other. "BSN-RN's are better critical thinkers!" "Having your DNP will make you more family centered and patient focused!" No, no, no. I realize the schools and hospitals have to "sell" it to the nurses to get them to go back to school, but it's really offensive and such a put-down to nursing in general.

Yes, fmAtoZ&backagain is correct. At least in my area, as well (Arkansas), there is no pay increase for your MSN to DNP as a practitioner (teaching may be a whole different story). I have not heard of any other places paying more for a DNP. At least right now, the DNP seems to be for your own personal choice and growth. Also, will someday be the standard entry into practice, but no telling when that will actually take effect. I would not expect to make more money going from MSN to DNP.

Sorry I am a year late replying to your post. Grad school sort of stole my life for the last year! I ended up staying on nights and not taking the day weekend option position. Actually, at my hospital, they do not offer weekend option anymore. It would have been 12 hour shifts, btw. The economy in my area got really horrendous in 2010 and forced the hospitals to decrease the number of nurses on weekend option (both AM and PM shifts). Now, they only replace the weekend option slots when they absolutely have to... so just because a nurse leaves weekend option does not necessarily mean they will fill the position right away. There are no new weekend option positions being created currently. Basically, they let the weekenders suffer with low staffing until it gets so bad that someone threatens to report it as a patient safety issue. Then they will hire a couple of currently employed RNs into those weekend option positions. I think they would like to get rid of weekend option altogether and make everyone work every other weekend... but the RNs in my unit would literally revolt. I don't expect to see weekend option come back at my hospital in a really long time, if ever. :-(

I definitely think it depends on the area, the specialty, and where you plan to work. I just graduated from a pediatric acute care program and there is only one children's hospital to work here. I work weekend nights at the adult sister hospital to the children's one. I have not found a job yet as the market is saturated here and I am limited to one place to work... however starting out pay for a brand new NP at the children's hospital here will be about $15k more per year gross pay. After taxes, insurance, retirement etc etc I'm sure it won't be a whole lot more. Also, I'm single with no dependents so I'm sure that won't help my cause any tax-wise. While I do enjoy the prospect of making more money and not having to work every night or weekend, I mainly did it for the autonomy and career growth. There is not a lot of room for growth where I work as a bedside nurse. Many of the nurses have doing charge nurse, acuity nurse, and management for a while and keep those jobs until retirement. Which is great for our unit because we have people in charge that know their stuff, but not so good for RN's trying to make their way up the ladder. I think you will find most people go back to nurse practitioner school for personal reasons (growth, schedule, family life, etc)... if you do it just for the money you are doing it for the wrong reasons. Oh and also some people account for the fact that most NPs are paid salary while bedside RNs are usually paid hourly. If you end up working all the time on salary with no OT, then a veteran RN working 3 days per week probably would make more money than a brand new NP working 60-70 hours per week with no OT benefits.

Aw, thanks!! My next big, scary adventure is passing the PNCB Acute Care nurse practitioner certification exam. I take it next month and I'm twice as nervous about this because everyone says that it is extremely hard! Also, there is no book (they are working on one, but won't be out until this coming January). Gosh, I hope I am not still retaking it by then!! But if I can do this, anyone can do it!

I am replying to this a year and a half late... but just realized that I had not done so. I did pass my RNC-NIC on the first try last August!!! I also used the Watson book and Cardiac S.T.A.B.L.E. Those were wonderful resources. I also just graduated this past May with my Masters as an Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I don't have a job yet, but there is only one hospital to work at in Arkansas with Acute Care certification... so I am just trying to be patient. Thanks hikernurse... that Watson book was the absolute best for a refresher. EverGraceRN... did you apply to some programs and go for your PNP?

Hello All, I graduated with my MNSc this past May 2014 in Pediatric Acute Care. I enjoyed clinicals, however my bedside RN experience is in the NICU. You cannot function as a NNP without the certification. My passion is really neonates, and I feel compelled to get my NNP. There are a couple of programs I am looking into. Being from Arkansas, there are 2 programs in Alabama and 1 in Tennessee that already have a clinical contract with the 2 NICU facilities here. Therefore, those 3 schools would probably be my best option. I am on the fence between Post Grad and DNP for my NNP. The program at USA allows me to essentially do both... once you finish the core NNP courses you can sit for boards and continue finishing the DNP program. Also, I don't think I would be eligible for financial aid or government loans in just a Post Masters program because I would be considered "non-degree seeking." I gave myself 1.5 years off between my BSN and MNSc program... mostly for the required work requirement and also to get my basic skills down as a bedside nurse. My undergrad GPA was 3.72, nursing was 3.5, and Masters was 4.0... so I feel like I do well with coursework and learning in general. Getting my DNP has always been a part of my plan, I just never really considered doing it now. Another point to be said is there are not a lot of Pediatric Nurse Practitioner jobs available in my area. I realize that Neonatal is probably even more limited because it's so specialized, however if I am going to have to wait regardless... I'd much rather wait for something that I really, really wanted to do and knew interested me. I'd love some comments or feedback. Maybe someone reading this is in a similar situation? Am I crazy?

Hello all, I am graduating next week with my MNS in Acute Care Pediatrics as a nurse practitioner. One of the positions I have applied for is in the Pediatric CVICU. I did a clinical rotation there and liked it, however it can be stressful. They do a lot of cardiac surgeries, so many times the APRNs will readmit post-op cardiac repair or transplant patients from the cardiac OR. That definitely can be stressful since these patients are on pressors, sedation medications, intubated, etc. I have 4 years of RN bedside experience in a Level III NICU and was wondering if anyone could give me tips on the transition (if it even happens... I have been told that I am on top of the list of those applying because I have ICU experience, but you never know what could happen). In my current unit, we deal with premature infants starting at 23 weeks and onward. We hang pressors (dopamine/dobutamine) if needed, give PRN sedation or have drips running (ex: Fentanyl or Morphine). We have patients ranging from intubated on the oscillator to totally fine on RA. I am not a complete stranger to many of the things that happen in CV... but the most I deal with in the NICU related specifically to CV is murmurs from PDA's and PFO's. We will try Indocin if appropriate, but we have to send them away for a ligation or other surgeries. Just trying to give you guys a little detail on my background. I think it would be an interesting position, but I am not a CV expert and feel like it takes special, assertive personalities to work in the CV. Any tips, guidance, experiences that anyone can give? Am I a good match for this position? Thanks!

I have 4 years experience as a bedside NICU nurse. I love it! However, I am graduating in May with my Acute Care Peds NP. I chose this program because it was in state and we only have 2 Level 3 NICUS in Arkansas, so I felt I would be limiting my choices by doing a NNP program. I have not finished clinicals yet, but am wondering about a position in the pediatric CVICU. I am set to do clinicals there in March. I am wondering if I should go ahead and apply now just to get my foot in the door if I do like it. Or if I should wait until after my clinical experience before I even consider applying. I feel that I am not entirely as educated about the heart as someone who works CV, but I am intrigued by it. I have found that anything in nursing that I really wanted to learn, I have been able to do so as long as I put forth the effort and spend enough time. Any advice or tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hi. I have worked in a level III NICU for almost 3 years. I did 6 weeks orientation on days, 6 weeks on nights, then stayed on nights ever since. I have made some great friends and really trust my charge nurses. I am in graduate school, so I work weekends. With lecture and clinical during the weekdays, working nights was hard on me last semester. A weekend option day shift position just came available, and it goes to who has seniority that wants it. So, it might not even happen, but I am having a lot of anxiety about leaving nights. Any advice?

I think working in a NICU setting will help you out a lot... they usually look at work experience and where it has been concentrated. I took the MAT entrance exam, but I think the GRE is more popular nationwide... I just hate the idea of retaking an exam similar to the ACT/SAT so many years out of high school. Based on your GPA, experience, and certification I really think you'd be fine. They accepted 9 people into the PNP program for my graduating class and it seems every year they are accepting more people. Of course, I'm in Arkansas and there are only a handful of MNS/MSN programs to begin with.

Hey all, I have been working in a Level III NICU for 2.5 years and decided that I wanted to obtain my certification. I am also currently in a MNS program for my Pediatric Nurse Practitioner. I was wondering if anyone who had already taken the RNC-NIC could provide any insight on how to know that a person is ready to take the test? I feel like I am studying for NCLEX all over again (and with that, I really didn't know... I just had to go take it). I am using the following books: Certification and Core Review for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing, 4e by Robin L. Watson Neonatal Certification Review for the CCRN and RNC High-Risk Examination by Rogelet and Brorsen S.T.A.B.L.E. Cardiac Module: Recognition and Stabilization of Neonates with Severe CHD The most recent NRP book Also, I have made some notes regarding normal neonatal lab values, infection info, and fluids and calculations... GIR, calories from fluids and formula/EBM, and just little notes regarding IV's, fluid administration, and breast feeding/bottle feeding. Any tips, test taking experiences with this particular exam, or determinations about how to know when you're ready would all be appreciated. Also, if anyone is just a really good standardized test taker, that info would be greatly needed, as well. Also, I have been studying since mid April and would like to sit for the exam in mid July - early August. Thanks for everyone's time! -E

Hi all, I am a NP student graduating next May. I am currently earning my Masters in Acute Care Pediatrics, however Neonatal studies is really my passion. There is no neonatal program in my state, but I have worked as a beside RN in a Level III NICU for 3 years. I decided to do the PNP-AC program because my university also has a hospital, where I work... so I receive a 90% employee tuition discount. It seemed too good an offer to pass up. I would really like to go back for my NNP Post Masters after I graduate next year. Here is my actual question... when I graduate I'm unsure about trying to find a new job as a PNP. I would like to begin making the extra NP money as opposed to a bedside nurse, however I'm not so sure about orienting to a new job in a completely different role while also knowing that I want to get back into school. On the flip side of that, I'm also afraid of waiting and not finding a NP job since I live in a state with only 2 Level III NICUs. The one I work at only has 1 NP and the other one has 16. That hospital also has 1 NNP job posted currently. I'm just not sure what my chances are for finding a job here (I don't want to move) as an NNP, but I don't want to start somewhere as a PNP and leave them high and dry knowing that I want to be an NNP. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I started working as a new graduate in a Level 3 NICU in October 2010. The hardest part for me was simply applying what I had learned (mostly on adults) in a completely different patient setting. The assessment was the same and different all at the same time. It still followed the same layout... head to toe, however what you are assessing can be and is different in the babies. Also, working with the parents and family was something I had to get used to. They are usually quite anxious or scared because they do not understand everything that is happening with their baby. Some will simply ask you questions and others will act out this anxiety in emotions. Being able to understand that, and deal appropriately with parents and their varying personalities is a big part of being a NICU nurse. Working in the NICU was my dream because I had worked there for a year as a student nurse... I knew it is where I wanted to be. It has been extremely fulfilling, at times demanding, but overall I would not change a thing. If you are about to start working in a NICU... enjoy it! If you are still seeking a job, my advice for you is to never quit. You may have to take a position that pays a little lower since you don't have any or very little NICU experience... but if that is truly your dream, then I would say go for it! Some important things to remember during a NICU interview: discuss being a team player (gives examples in nursing school or your current job), show enthusiasm and appreciation about the prospect of working in the NICU, and lastly... be yourself in your interview and let your inner goodness shine through.

I have good news! After researching and talking with the director of the program I am interested in, I have learned some new information which I think will be helpful for me. The school I am interested in has "post-graduate" studies. So basically, if I decide to do the Pediatric CNS track, I can go back and do post grad studies to sit for my APN license if I want to. This makes me less fearful of choosing the wrong track since it's easily remedied should I change my mind at any time. The post grad studies can range from about 3-5 semesters, which isn't too bad considering you'd be getting a whole other certification. Also, there are only about 3 classes that are actually different between the Peds CNS and Peds PNP... now the Peds Acute NP is a little different between both, I believe. In all of my research, I have to say that it does seem the two titles have intertwined over the years and it can get extremely confusing when trying to define what exactly these specialities really are. I think a lot of it does depend upon the state in which you practice, the school you attended, and the facility in which you work. Where I work they are simply called Advanced Practice Partners and have a huge range of duties depending on what a particular unit has hired them for. I really appreciate everyone's help and discussion on this issue... you guys are so awesome and nice! :-)

Thanks so much for your replies. Everyone here has been so nice and given really good information and feedback. I did a Google search and found a chart that kind of breaks down the differences between the ANP and CNS role: http://resources.css.edu/academics/nsg/grad/docs/advancedpracticenursingrolescnsvsnp.pdf Would you guys agree with this chart or not? It seems that based on this chart a lot of the job duties can overlap between an ANP and CNS as long as they are both working in a inpatient hospital setting. What is the general consensus on this? I am still considering and thinking of what track to pick... I believe that whatever track I do pick I will definitely do the education track at the program I'm looking into... it's like a minor and is only 12 extra hours. But as far as CNS and ANP I am still torn on what I want to do.