Module 1.

Topical outline and readings

Readings and Videos
Topical Outline
Fitzgerald Fitzgeral
Chapter(s): Buppert d NP Fast Facts
On-Line Chapter( Certificat Chapter(s
Video s) ion Exam )
Program and
and spiral Practice
bound book Prep
book

Module 1 1. Certification overview On-line Chapters Understand Chapters

2. Test taking strategies video 2, 10 ing test 9, 10, 11,
3. Collaborative practice AANPCP vs design and 12, 18, 22,
process ANCC theory 23, 24
4. Contract negotiations pp. 497-
On-line 503
video
Chapter 01
Spiral book
Chapter 01;
(pp. 1-20)

Assignment for Module 1:

After completing all the readings and on-line videos list above, use this
form to answer the following questions and upload this document with
your responses to the Module 1 assignment link.

Module Assignments do not have a page minimum or maximum. Please

cite sources as appropriate.

****Upload as a Word document****

Module 1 Assignment upload is due by 1.16.17 midnight.

Assignment Questions:

1) Compare and contrast certification process for AANPCP and AACN.

AANP
o American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
o Offering certification since the mid 1990s
o FNP, AGNP, ANP certifications
o Testing available year-round
 o FNP exam 150 questions
o No penalty for guessing
o Multiple choice questions on exam
o 3 hour time limit on FNP exam
o Credentials: NP-C
o Focus of FNP examination is on lifespan, largely outpatient primary care,
contains A&P, pathophysiology and pharmacology, health promotion and
disease prevention, obtaining the health history, evaluation of signs and
symptoms, physical examination, laboratory and diagnostic testing, EPB,
legal and ethical issues, cultural competencies, principles of epidemiology,
and healthcare economics and management.
o Provide pass/fail results at the end of the testing
o Can apply to retake the test after completing 15 hours of CEs; no more
than 2 attempts in a calendar year.
o Recertification every 5 years.
ANCC
o American Nurses Credentialing Center
o Offering certification since the late 1970s
o FNP, AGPCNP, ANP, GNP
o Testing available year-round
o FNP exam 200 questions
o No penalty for guessing
o Multiple choice, multiple response, drag and drop, hot spot questions on
exam
o 4 hour time limit on FNP exam
o Credentials: FNP-BC
o Focus of FNP examination is on lifespan, largely outpatient primary care,
contains A&P, pathophysiology and pharmacology, health promotion and
disease prevention, obtaining the health history, evaluation of signs and
symptoms, physical examination, laboratory and diagnostic testing, EPB,
legal and ethical issues, cultural competencies, principles of epidemiology,
and healthcare economics and management.
o Generally higher percentage of questions focused on professional issues
-The ANCC exams contain a section on issues such as scope of practice,
healthcare ethics, reimbursement, research and other professional
matters.
o Provide pass/fail results at the end of testing
o Can apply to retake the test after 60 days, no more than 3 attempts in a 12
month period.
o Recertification every 5 years.

2) Identify 3 effective test taking strategies and identify 3 strategies that have not
worked for you.
What plan do you have for making your ineffective test taking strategies
effective?
 Effective Test-Taking Strategies for NP boards
1. ADPIE: Assessment, Diagnosis, Plan, Implementation, Evaluate
a. This simple strategy encourages the test taker to look at What is the
question asking? and is usually performed sequentially
2. First, Initially, Most appropriate
a. This test taking-tip encourages the test taker to look for key works in
the stem that set priority in the question
b. First: think ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation); allows the test taker to
demonstrate skills at assessing clinical priorities
c. Initially: think ADPIE; answering a question containing the term
initially allows the test taker to demonstrate skills in assessing where
in the care continuum the patient is.
d. Most appropriate: think EBP; using the most appropriate term
increases the difficulty of a question and allows the test taker to
demonstrate clinical decision-making skills utilizing EBP knowledge.
3. Understanding the certification exam
a. Reviewing the content contained in the specific certification exam you
plan to take and the percentage of questions designated toward each
section of content; example: Foundations, Assessment, Diagnosis,
Plan, Education
b. Being familiar with computer based testing
c. Knowing the time limit and amount of questions on your examination
d. Completing a review course to help you identify your weaknesses in
content prior to taking certification examination

Ineffective Test-Taking Strategies

1. Not reading the question/ reading too fast.
a. In the past, I have either read through the question too fast, not read
the question in its entirety, or I read it incorrectly. I have found that
during tests, I need to slow down, and read the question completely
and carefully. THIS HAS BEEN MY NUMBER 1 PROBLEM
THROUGHOUT SCHOOL.
2. Getting stuck too long on one question/ not using time appropriately.
a. I have often times also gotten stuck on one question, and wasted too
much time debating the correct answer. I would often feel rushed
through the remaining questions, trying to make up the time. I do like
that on the NP certification, unlike NCLEX, you are able to flag
questions for review later. I have also found that if I get hung up on a
question, it is helpful to still answer it and flag it. That way, if I am
unable to come back to it, due to time constraints, at least I still have
some chance of getting points for a correct response.
3. Only doing practice tests and review questions
a. Although practice exams and review questions are a good review
strategy, if a person only does review questions, without studying the
rationales and understanding the content, it is not likely to help you
 overall with passing boards. Practice tests and questions should be
used to identify areas of weakness, and then appropriate time should
be to studying and learning in those particular areas.

3) Identify states that you plan to pursue your first NP practice and list the steps
that state requires for application for practice and/or collaboration.

Georgia
o Hold a current RN License
o Get your graduate degree
Program course requirements must include: Advanced
Pathophysiology, Advanced Pharmacology, Advanced Health
Assessment
o Get your National Certification
Approved certification programs include AANP and ANCC for FNP
o Apply for Authorization (License Application)
Application forms are available at
http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/45/authorization_as_an_a
prn
Includes sending an official, sealed copy of your transcripts
$60 Application Fee
Notarized signature
o Renewing your License
Your Georgia APRN authorization expires biannually on January
31st of odd-numbered years simultaneous with the expiration of
your RN license.
Effective January 31, 2016, all registered nurses will be required to
complete continuing education/competency requirements as a
condition of licensure renewal.
o Establish a Protocol Agreement between physician and APRN
After finding employment, this must be in place to proceed.
o Apply for Prescriptive Authority
If an APRN has been delegated prescriptive authority (the APRN
writes prescriptions), then a nurse protocol agreement must be
submitted to the Georgia Medical Board.

There are two (2) different laws in the state of Georgia that pertain
to nurse protocol agreements. OCGA 43-34-23 is the GA law
regarding nurse protocol agreements without prescriptive authority
for the APRNs. OCGA 43-34-25 is the GA law regarding nurse
protocol agreements with prescriptive authority for the APRNs.

APRNs who write prescriptions and have submitted nurse protocol

agreements for review to the GA Medical Board are practicing
under OCGA 43-34-25.
 o Apply for Federal DEA authority

A DEA number is required ONLY if the APRN will be prescribing

controlled substances. With a DEA number, the APRN may
prescribe regular prescriptions and Schedule III-V drugs, but not
Schedule I-II.

The normal procedure is: 1) submission of your protocol to the

Medical Board, 2) receipt of a letter stating the Medical Board has
reviewed your protocol, and 3) application to the DEA.

o Credentialing with agency and insurance companies

Provide necessary paperwork

4) Identify things that need to be a part of your NP employment contract and why
these things are important.

Scope of services to be performed

o Both the NP and collaborating physician should have a thorough
understanding of the states scope of practice laws, and the expected
services to be preformed by the APRN in their current position.
Salary
o Determining type and amount: straight, percentage of net receipts, base
salary plus percentage, hourly rate
Duration of employment
o Understanding how long you will be employed is crucial to planning both
your personal life and professional career. Is this a long-term agreement
or short-term? Is there an option to start part-time but eventually move into
full-time employment?
How the agreement can be altered or updated
o If at any time you wish to change or amend any parts of your contract, you
will need to know how and if it can be done.
Responsibility for maintaining credentials
o Are you responsible or does the employer have someone who will handle
this credentialing process?
Terms of on-call responsibilities
o Are there any? What are the terms?
Benefits
o It is important to know and understand your employers policies regarding
medical insurance plans, paid time off, sick days, vacations, holidays,
pension opportunities and disability arrangements.
Assistance and Expenses for continuing education
 o It is important and financially beneficial to know upfront whether you will
be solely responsible for CE expenses, or whether your employer will pay
them. Also, will your employer give you time-off from clinic to complete
these?
Number of office hours per week
o It is important to negotiate and understand the hours you are expected to
work. Will you be required to work holidays or weekends? Make sure the
expectations are specifically laid out in the contract.
Restriction for termination
o It is important to understand the restrictions of termination, if this occurs.
Some employers have non-compete clauses.
Bonus structure
o Some employers offer NPs the opportunity for bonuses. The criteria vary
greatly.
Productivity-based, quality-based, profit-based, patient satisfaction-
based
Malpractice Insurance
o Ideally, your employer should cover this. Do they?

Resources:
Fitzgerald Health Education Associates, Inc. (2016) FNP On-line review Spiral
Notebook

FG Online Review Handout: AANPCP vs. ANCC: A comparison of the examinations

Aktan, N. (2015). Fast Facts for the New Nurse Practitioner: What You
Really Need to Know in a Nutshell. (2nd ed.). New York: SpringerPublishing.

Buppert, C. (2015). Nurse Practitioners Business Practice & Legal Guide, (5th ed.),
Jones &Bartlett Learning: Bethesda, Maryland.

Georgia Board of Nursing-

http://sos.ga.gov/index.php/licensing/plb/45/faq