Adult/peds ACCN tests

Specialties CNS

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Hey guys. So I'm an adult and peds CNS at the moment via AACN. They have revised test exams:

For adults:

ACCNS

and Peds CNS:

ACCNS

Okay some questions:

1. Has anyone taken either of these exams?

2. Why are they both the same initials?

Thanks.

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I'm an ACCNS-AG. The ACCNS is acute care clinical nurse specialist. The letters after the hyphen are the age demographic, in my case adult/gero, however, my exam had NICU/PICU questions. The woman at the testing site told me there is only one exam, but I did not ask AACN if that is the case.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

It looks like the peds (and I would bet the adult exam) covers the following:

ACCNS-P® is an entry-level advanced practice certification for clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) educated at the graduate level to provide advanced nursing care across the continuum of healthcare services - wellness through acute care - to meet the specialized needs of the pediatric patient population.

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Specializes in Neonatal, Parent-Child, Education.

The test blueprints for each exam are different so I do not believe there is only one exam. Questions that are in essence about the role, advocacy, ethics, etc. but involve a scenario of a different population are likely what you experienced.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Sorry I wasn't clear: I know the content of the adult and peds exam will be different as far as scenarios go but the overall scope of content from wellness thru acute illness would be the same goals I would think? Right? Or am I looking at this wrong?

I'm already an adult and peds CNS certified thru ANCC but both exams are retired. I'm currently (for the last few months) not caring for anyone that would qualify as a peds pt. So...I'm looking for another way to take a peds CNS test in order to continue my peds CNS certification.

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Specializes in Neonatal, Parent-Child, Education.

Take a look at the eligibility criteria for the AACN exam because it is different than ANCC. You may be stuck if you don't meet he criteria. My students were taking the ANCC but when it was retired, they were not eligible for the AACN exam because our curriculum was missing some things that AACN required. Changes in the curriculum were needed (and have been completed), but alumni will not be eligible for the AACN and would need return via the post-graduate certificate process to complete additional coursework.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Yikes and that is what I'm trying to avoid. Having done an MSN and two post Certs. And having been an APRN fir 12 years not willing to redo a bunch of clinical time

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