Undecided on which FNP Certification Exam to Take

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Hi Everyone,

I will be graduating from my FNP program in May and am still undecided on whether to take the ANCC or AANP exam. I have not noticed any job postings in my area that specify one certification over the other. I just wanted to know which exam those of you already practicing recommend, or if it really matters which one I take. Also, has anyone noticed a preference of one over the other when applying for jobs.

Thank you for any advice that you can provide.

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Specializes in Occupational Health.

Doesn't matter which one. Which one do you feel your program better prepared you to take?

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Thank you for responding. I feel like my program prepared me well for either exam. I am leaning toward taking the AANP exam since I am a student member. I just wanted to find out if anyone has had any problems when they applied for jobs due to having one certification over the other.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

Both lead to licensure and that's all that matters.

 

AANP is a better organization and easier to deal with. The exam is also more clinical based.

 

AANC always seems more money oriented (hard to reach by phone, lots of red tape, charge for everything) and their exam has a ton of "fluff" questions on random topics like court cases and ethics.

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Specializes in Family Nursing & Psychiatry.

ANCC is more comprehensive. 
AANP is more clinical. 
 

boils down to, do you want to be...

FNP-C or FNP-BC

 

Sucks there’s 2 bodies for this exam, they should just combine the 2 imho.

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Thank you all for your comments. It would certainly make it easier if there was no choice, just one exam.

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Specializes in Adult Primary Care.

Who do you want to send money to in five years to recertify?

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Specializes in ICU, Triage, Home Health, primary care FNP.

ANCC. This is my reason: I was under the impression that you can continue to have your license or renew if you don't practice anymore with a BC (ANCC) certification. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Because I can see myself teaching at the age of 65-70 years but not practicing as an NP, I plan on taking the ANCC because I understand that I can continue to renew my license because practice hours are not required for renewal with ANCC. 

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Specializes in psych/medical-surgical.
On 4/1/2021 at 9:48 PM, MentalKlarity said:

AANC always seems more money oriented (hard to reach by phone, lots of red tape, charge for everything) and their exam has a ton of "fluff" questions on random topics like court cases and ethics.

I just took the ANCC** and it was mostly clinical and judgement questions. It was changed last year or so.

 

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