The ANCC Ambulatory Care Nursing exam assesses the knowledge and skills that registered nurses must have in the ambulatory care specialty.
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Ambulatory Care Nursing Exam Eligibility
To be eligible for the exam, you must meet the following requirements:
- You must hold a current RN license in the United States
- You must have accrued at least two years of full-time practice as an RN
- You must have accrued at least 2,000 hours of clinical practice in ambulatory care nursing within the last three years
- You must have completed at least 30 hours of ambulatory care continuing education within the last three years
Ambulatory Care Nursing Exam Outline
The ANCC Ambulatory Care Nursing exam contains 150 multiple-choice questions, 25 of which are unscored, and you will be given a time limit of 3 hours.
The exam is split into four content domains, which are designed to cover the various competencies and points of knowledge that an ambulatory care nurse should possess.
I. Assess and Evaluate (50 scored questions)
The questions in this domain assess your knowledge of medications, disease processes, preventative care, and expected outcomes. The following skills are also tested:
- Treatment evaluation
- Triage
- Physical and psychosocial assessment
- Clinical data interpretation
II. Plan and Implement (23 scored questions)
The questions in this domain assess your ability to perform various clinical tasks. The following points of knowledge are also tested:
- Care coordination
- Disease-specific interventions
III. Professional Role (28 scored questions)
The questions in this domain assess your knowledge of professional development, fiscal health, and the scope and standards of practice. The following skills are also tested:
- Leadership
- Safety and security
- Staff, patient, and family advocacy
IV. Education (24 scored questions)
The questions in this domain assess your professional communication skills. The following points of knowledge are also tested:
- Diverse populations
- Communication barriers
- Modes of educational delivery
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Ambulatory Care Nursing Exam Registration
Registering for and scheduling your Ambulatory Care Nursing exam can be done online.
The cost of the examination is $395 for all candidates who are not ANCC members. Active ANCC members will only have to pay $295 to register for the exam.
Once you have registered, you will receive information on how to schedule your examination appointment.
Test Day
On the day of your exam, you should arrive at the testing center about 30 minutes before the exam is scheduled to begin. When you arrive, you will be asked to provide two forms of identification, one of which must contain your photo and signature. If your ID is invalid, you will not be permitted to take the examination.
Personal items (cell phone, wallet, keys, food/drink, etc.) are not allowed in the testing area, so you will be asked to leave them in a secured locker before the exam begins.
Once the check-in process is complete, you will be led to your testing station and given a short tutorial on the testing system before beginning your exam.
How the Exam is Scored
The scores for the Ambulatory Care Nursing exam are calculated using a criterion-based scoring system. This means that a panel of ANCC subject-matter experts has evaluated the questions and determined a passing score. The passing score is set using the modified-Angoff method, which means that your score is based solely on your performance, without any input from the performance of other test-takers.
Your score is reported on a scale of 1 to 500, and you must get a score of at least 350 to pass the exam.
You will be able to see your preliminary scores as soon as you complete the exam, and your final score report will be made available via your ANCC account.
Retaking the Exam
If you fail the exam, you may retake it after a 60-day waiting period. After the waiting period, you must resubmit an application and the retest fee of $270.
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Ambulatory Care Nurse Prep Course
If you want to be fully prepared, Mometrix offers an online Ambulatory Care Nurse prep course. The course is designed to provide you with any and every resource you might want while studying. The Ambulatory Care Nurse course includes:
- Review Lessons Covering Every Topic
- 600+ Ambulatory Care Nurse Practice Questions
- More than 300 Electronic Flashcards
- Over 70 Instructional Videos
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The Ambulatory Care Nurse prep course is designed to help any learner get everything they need to prepare for their Ambulatory Care Nursing exam. Click below to check it out!
FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the Ambulatory Care Nursing certification exam?
A
There are 150 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the Ambulatory Care Nursing certification exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 3 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the Ambulatory Care Nursing certification exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a minimum scaled score of 350.
Q
How much does the Ambulatory Care Nursing certification exam cost?
A
The examination fee for ANCC members is $295, while non-members must pay a fee of $395.
