About Adult and Family Nurse Practitioner Certification
A nurse practitioner certification offers RNs a larger paycheck, clinical independence and a stimulating career. A master's or post master’s degree in nursing and a state license or certification in adult and family practice is needed to become an adult and family nurse practitioner.
Adult Nursing Practitioner vs. Family Nursing Practitioner
A family nurse practitioner (FNP) works with patients of all ages, whereas an adult nurse practitioner (ANP) is not permitted to treat children under the age of 13. Because of its wide-ranging scope of practice, the FNP is more marketable overall and gives rise to a wider range of jobs from which to choose.
Education
To qualify for certification as an ANP or FNP, the degree program must be accredited by the Commission on the Collegiate of Nursing Education (CCNE) or the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC). The program must include advanced-level courses in differential diagnosis, disease management and prevention, pharmacology, health assessment and health promotion.
Applying for Certification
Before submitting an application for certification as an ANP or FNP, students must be a currently licensed and practicing registered nurse, hold a master's or higher degree in nursing with formal education in the NP specialty, and have completed at least 500 hours of relevant, faculty-supervised clinical practice.
Along with the completed application form and fee, students need to provide a copy of their RN license, information about their educational programs including official transcripts and complete information about their clinical experience, including their preceptor's contact information.
If the application is approved, an approval-to-test letter from the chosen credentialing organization and a candidate eligibility ID number from Thomson Prometric Computer Testing Centers, the company used by both AANP and ANCC to administer their computer-based exams, will be sent to the applicant. As soon as the student has their eligibility ID, they can select a date and testing location to write their exam.
Exam Results
Both ANCC and AANP exams are computer-based multiple choice tests and each take about three hours to complete. A preliminary "pass/fail" result for the AANP exam will be displayed on the computer screen after the test has been completed. ANCC exam results are available at the testing center on the day of the exam. Actual test scores will be mailed out approximately 4 weeks after taking the exam.
Certification and Licensing
Both the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) and the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) offer certification in family and adult nurse practitioner specialties. After passing the exam, students will be entitled to use the designation ANP-BC or FNP-BC (AANCP) or NP-C (AANP) after their name.