Nurse fnp c vs fnp bc

Many nurses who become Nurse Practitioners (NPs) choose to become Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs). These medical professionals have a broad area of expertise, and they offer primary care for patients of all ages.

FNPs are certified to provide primary medical care to their patients, who can span from infants to the elderly. FNPs can, among other things:

• Perform physical examinations

• Order and perform diagnostic tests

• Create treatment plans

• Prescribe medications (in some states)

If you’re considering becoming an FNP, you might notice that there are two certification designations: FNP-BC and FNP-C. Keep reading to find out the differences and similarities between the two.

What Is an FNP-BC?

An FNP-BC is a Family Nurse Practitioner who has been certified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). The FNP-BC initials stand for Family Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified.

FNPs with this designation have to pass a 175-question exam that focuses on policy, research, and nursing theory. As a result, the FNP-BC certification is often preferred by nurses who want to go into the academic side of nursing, whether that’s teaching, researching, or even creating policy.

FNP-BCs are fully qualified FNPs, but the emphasis on academia may be preferred by employers who are looking for nurses to teach or conduct research.

If you’re interested in obtaining this certification, note these eligibility requirements:

• A current U.S. RN license (or the equivalent from another country).

• A diploma from a master’s, post-graduate, or doctoral Family Nurse Practitioner program that has been accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) or the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

• A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours.

The test also costs between $300 and $400, depending on your membership status with nurses’ associations.

What Is an FNP-C?

An FNP-C is a Family Nurse Practitioner - Certified. These professionals are certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and they’re just as respected as FNP-BCs. FNP-Cs have to take a certification test that is 150 questions long and focuses on the clinical sides of nursing. Test-takers will answer questions focused on medical assessment, diagnosis, treatment plans, and evaluation. Because of this emphasis on clinical work, an FNP-C certification is often preferred by Family Nurse Practitioners who want to work in clinical settings seeing patients and administering medical care. Some medical facilities also prefer their FNPs to have this certification. Here are some of the eligibility requirements for the FNP-C certification test:

• A current U.S. or Canadian RN license.

• A diploma from a master’s, post-graduate, or doctoral nurse practitioner program accredited by an independent national nursing organization and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

• A minimum of 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours.

The FNP-C certification test usually costs between $240 and $315, depending on your membership status with the AANP.

Comparing the FNP-BC vs. FNP-C

The FNP-BC and FNP-C certifications do have a lot in common, including the fact that they’re both well-respected and allow you to practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Both require a current RN license, 500 clinical hours, and a degree from an accredited nurse practitioner program, so neither one is inherently better than the other. The main difference between the two is that the FNP-BC certification emphasizes nursing theory, policy, and research, while the FNP-C focuses more on the clinical aspects of nursing. Because of this, it’s important to know what your professional goals are so you can choose the certification that will be most beneficial to you. If you know you want a teaching, research, or big-picture leadership role, the FNP-BC certification is probably the best choice for you. If, on the other hand, you know you want to work directly with patients in a clinical setting, the FNP-C is probably the direction to go. If you aren’t sure which one is best for you, talk to an academic advisor or even an FNP who is working in a job you’d like to have someday. Ask them how they got there and if they’d recommend you follow the same path – they may also be able to point you to other professionals who could provide valuable insight as well. Whichever FNP certification you choose, rest assured that you’ll be a fully qualified Family Nurse Practitioner either way.

FNP-C vs. FNP-BC FAQs

1. What does BC mean after FNP?

   The BC after FNP stands for “board certified.” Similarly, the C after the FNP-C certification stands for “certified.” The American Nurses Credentialing Center awards the FNP-BC, and its examination has 175 questions that focus on nursing policies, theory, and research. This makes this certification a great fit for FNPs who want to work in academia or in leadership roles. While FNP-BCs are fully qualified FNPs, FNP-BCs don’t typically do as much hands-on clinical work as FNP-Cs do, even though they legally are allowed to. FNP-C certifications, on the other hand, are awarded by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. This exam consists of 150 questions that have a more clinical bent to them, focusing on assessment, diagnosis, and evaluation. These certifications, while just as respected as FNP-BCs, are usually a good fit for FNPs who want to administer care to patients rather than conduct research or teach. In fact, some employers may even require this for their FNPs who are going to be working in a clinical setting.

2. Is AANP BC or C?

   AANP awards the FNP-C certification. The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) is the organization that gives out the FNP-C, or Family Nurse Practitioner-Certified, credential. This credential fully certifies FNPs to administer medical care, and its 150-question exam focuses on the clinical aspects of being a nurse practitioner. Test takers have to have a current RN license, a degree from an accredited program, and 500 faculty-supervised clinical hours to be eligible. Similar to the FNP-C is the FNP-BC – or the Family Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified – certification. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) awards this credential, and it also fully qualifies FNPs to practice. The FNP-BC exam has 175 questions that focus mainly on the theoretical side of nursing, making it a great option for FNPs who want to work in research or academic roles.

3. What certification is FNP-BC?

   The FNP-BC certification is the Family Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified certification. It’s given out by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), and those who have it are fully qualified to administer medical care. This is one of two FNP certifications, the other one being the FNP-C (Family Nurse Practitioner - Certified) certification. The FNP-C is awarded by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners (AANP), and it carries the same weight as the FNP-BC. The main difference between the two is that the FNP-BC test focuses more on research and the theoretical side of nursing, while the FNP-C test focuses more on the clinical aspects of it. Both will certify you to be a practicing FNP, but the FNP-BC is often preferred by people who want to go into academia, while the FNP-C is often the choice of those who want to actively practice medicine.