Family Nurse Practitioner – FNP-BC (ANCC)
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: August 2019
OVERVIEW
Certification Description
The Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC) certification certifies that a nurse practitioner has the clinical knowledge and skills necessary to assess, diagnose, treat and educate patients of all age groups. These nurse practitioners have proven that they are knowledgeable of the latest standards of practice and care and have the training and skills necessary to provide the highest quality of care to patients across their lifespan.
This is an entry-level certification for nurse practitioners.
Skills Focus
The certification focuses on the following areas:
- Awareness of evidence-based health promotion and screening
- Understanding of physiology, pathogenesis and clinical manifestations
- Knowledge of pharmacology and pharmacogenetics
- Knowledge of disease progression and crisis management
- Ability to complete assessments of various body systems, including the musculoskeletal, genitourinary, cardiovascular and immune systems
- Comprehension of standards of practice and ethical and legal considerations
- Ability to complete resource management in regards to cost and accessibility
Exam Objectives
Exam Details
- Issuing Organization: American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC)
- Prerequisites: Applicants must hold an active RN license; applicants must have a master’s, postgraduate or doctoral degree from a family nurse practitioner program, where 500+ clinical hours were completed; applicant must have taken 3 separate graduate level courses in the following: Advanced physiology pathophysiology, including general principles that apply across the life span, Advanced health assessment, which includes assessment of all human systems, advanced assessment techniques, concepts, and approaches, Advanced pharmacology, which includes pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacotherapeutics of all broad categories of agents
- Questions: 175 (150 scored)
- Time: 210 minutes
- Cost: $295 for American Nurses Association members, $340 for American Association of Nurse Practitioners members, $290 for American Association of Nurse Practitioners student members and $395 for non-members
- Re-certification and certification renewal: Every 5 years
- View Certification Testing Guidelines
Other relevant details: Exams are given at Prometric test centers
FNP-BC (ANCC) Careers
Family Nurse Practitioner Careers
Jobs you can get with a FNP-BC (ANCC) certification (additional requirements may apply):
- Nurse Practitioner
- Family Nurse Practitioner
Salary (Base Level)
A specialty certification may not only increase your employability, but may increase your earnings potential as well. Keep in mind that your actual salary can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Reference salary for the Nurse Practitioner (NP) shown. Salary based on 2019 data.
National average per year: $113,930
National average per hour: $54.78
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
FNP-BC (ANCC) Training
Exam Preparation
- Review the Test Content Outline
- Complete the ANCC practice questions
- Take the ANCC practice test
- Study and review the ANCC recommended book Family Nurse Practitioner Review Manual, 5th Edition with 2019 Addendum
- Take the ANCC online review course
- Study from exam review books
Important: This is not a complete list of all certification training and learning options available. Remember to thoroughly research and choose study materials that fit your learning style and needs. This step is crucial to help you succeed in your certification exam.
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