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American Nurses
Credentialing Center
(ANCC)
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American Academy
of Nurse Practitioners
(AANP)
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When formed
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1991- Philadelphia, United States
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1985- Austin, Texas, United States
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Associated or Affiliated Organization
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American Nurses Association
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American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP)
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Mission
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To promote excellence in nursing and healthcare globally through credentialing programs.
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Provide excellence in testing and certification for nurse practitioners.
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Membership Numbers
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More than 75,000 APRNs
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More than more than 105,000 PNs
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Requirements for Certification
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Candidates must meet the following:
● Category 1: Continuing education hours (an additional 75 hours)
● Category 2: Academic credits (5 semesters of academic courses)
● Category 3: Presentations (1 or more presentations totaling 5 hours)
● Category 4: Publication or research (1 article published in peer-reviewed journal, a PhD thesis, or a doctor of nursing practice final project)
● Category 5: Preceptor hours (120 hours as a preceptor for a nurse practitioner, physician assistant, pharmacy, or medical student)
● Category 6: Professional service (2 or more years of volunteer service) (aanpcert.org, 2018b)..
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Candidates must:
-Have met specific educational requirements that assess national competencies of the APRN core, the NP role, and at least one population focus (ANP, AGNP, FNP, and GNP) area of practice.
-Be currently registered nurse
-demonstrate professional knowledge in the NP role and population focus by passing the national certification examination.
-Maintain continued competence in the profession as an ANP, AGNP, ENP, FNP, or GNP through an established certification renewal process.
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Requirements for Recertification
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>Complete the MANDATORY 75 CH and 1 or more of the 8 renewal categories for the certification credential within the five years proceeding to renewal application submission.
> Hold an expired ANCC certification.
> Hold a current, active RN license in a state or territory of the United States or the professional, legally recognized equivalent in another country.
> Pay the renewal fee plus a reactivation fee of $125 (aanpcert.org, 2018b)..
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-Minimum 1,000 hours of clinical practice in the Nurse Practitioner role in any specialty appropriate for the population focus of certification within 5-year certification period.
-Minimum 100 contact hours of advanced CE
-Hold current RN licensure during the period of certification (aanpcert.org, 2018b).
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Certification Validity Length
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5 years
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5 years
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Cost of Certification
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The testing fee for an ANCC exam is $295 for ANA members and $395 for nonmembers.
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The testing fee for an AANP exam by an AANP member is $240. For nonmembers, it is $315 (aanpcert.org, 2018a).
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Website Link
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https://www.nursingworld.org/ancc/
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https://www.aanpcert.org/
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Exam Offerings
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Available for ACNP, ANP, FNP, GNP, & PMHNP
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Available for A-GNP, FNP, Adult Nurse Practitioners (ANP), Gerontologic Nurse Practitioners (GNP), and Emergency Nurse Practitioners (ENP) (aanpcert.org, 2018a).
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Title Certification Recipient Receives
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NP-BC with letter in front denoting specialty -FNP-BC, ACNP-BC, ANPBC, GNP-BC (nursingworld.org, 2020).
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All specialties use NP-C, where C stands for certified.
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Advantages
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-Gives one the opportunity to advance nursing career and prove your ability to provide the best patient care.
-The ANCC recognition improves patient outcomes (nursingworld.org, 2016).
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-Offers continuing education opportunities; the ability to network; and advocating for practice.
-Provide an individual with a sense of pride and professional accomplishment (aanpcert.org, 2018a).
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Disadvantages
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The only drawback of ANCC certification is the desire of organizations to employ nurses holding ANCC certificate.
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-Certification granted is time-limited.
-Exams are restricted to contents that can be tested in an objective format.
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Other Important Characteristics
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Provides Magnet Recognition Program.
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Assess entry-level nurse practitioner (NP).
-Knowledge and practice competencies required to provide safe and quality health care.
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