ACCNS-N (Neonatal) - CNS Wellness through Acute Care

The Neonatal Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certification (Wellness through Acute Care) (ACCNS-N) is an entry-level certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for graduate-level clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) with an RN or APRN license. The credential allows CNSs to provide continuous advanced nursing care across the healthcare range, from wellness to acute care to neonatal patients.

Costs: $265 for AACN members and $375 for non-members

Exam Format

The ACCNS-N exam is a 3.5-hour computer-based test with 175 multiple-choice questions. The exam consists o following domains:

Clinical Judgment (65%)

• Cardiovascular (9%)

• Pulmonary (9%)

• Endocrine (3%)

• Hematology, immunology, and oncology (3%)

• Gastrointestinal (3%)

• Renal and genitourinary (3%)

• Integumentary (3%)

• Musculoskeletal (3%)

• Neurology (7%)

• Psychosocial, behavioral, and cognitive health (6%)

• Factors influencing health status, including risk assessment, prevention, and wellness (7%)

• Multisystem (9%)

Professional Caring and Ethical Practices (35%)

• Advocacy and moral agency (4%)

• Caring practices (6%)

• Response to diversity (3%)

• Facilitation of learning (5%)

• Collaboration (5%)

• System thinking (6%)

• Clinical inquiry (6%)

Candidates are also tested on validated competencies, skills and procedures appropriate for RNs and APRNs.

Testing Options

PSI Testing Centers administer on-site testing. Candidates may also opt for Live Remote Proctoring (LRP) to take the exam on their home computer or another computer, free from distractions.

Rescheduling, Cancellations, and Extensions

A candidate may reschedule or cancel the exam up to 48 hours before the scheduled exam. 

• Log into the AACN customer dashboard

• Click Certification to reschedule the exam

• Click “My Certifications” and “Manage Appointment” 

• Receive a rescheduling confirmation email with the new date and time

• Refunds aren’t given for missed appointments

• $100 applies when requesting an exam extension

Eligibility

• Hold a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN or APRN license

• Notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days of nursing license provisions or conditions

• Completed a graduate-level advanced practice educational program with a concentration in neonatal CNS at a nationally accredited nursing school by CCNE or ACEN, covering wellness through acute care

• Completed 500 supervised clinical practice hours as a neonatal CNS

• Submit official and final transcripts of all graduate-level coursework indicating the degree and date conferred

Application Process

• Submit an online application or paper application with all required documentation

  • Online application process immediately but paper applications may take 2 to 4 weeks for processing

• Receive a receipt of the application notification email

• Wait for a certification specialist to review the application and complete an evaluation

  • May take 1 to 4 weeks

• Receive a confirmation email approving the application and all required documentation with a link to schedule the exam within the 180-day testing window

• Determine preferred testing method, either PSI Testing Center or Live Remote Proctoring from a home computer

• Schedule the exam at an approved testing center by using the link within the confirmation email

• Schedule the exam through the AACN dashboard by clicking the “Schedule Exam” link

AACN sends out renewal notifications four months before the scheduled renewal date. 

Certificants should access their AACN account by following the below pathway:

• Log in to the AACN account with the associated email or AACN customer number

• Locate the AACN customer number on the most recent renewal notice

  • Initial password is candidate’s last name

• Change the password after logging in or click “Forgot Password”

• Verify and update account information to ensure the correct mailing address to receive the certificate

• Verify and update the email address to receive renewal confirmations

Certificants who renew online receive their new ACCNS-N certificate within 2 to 4 weeks.

Renewal Requirements

• Maintain a current, valid, unrestricted and unencumbered RN or APRN license

• Notify AACN Certification Corporation within 30 days of nursing license provisions or conditions

• Pass the ACCNS-AG certification exam for adults and completion of CERPs

• Complete 432 RN or APRN practice hours within the last five years, with 144 acquired within the 12 months before scheduled renewal date, focusing on critically ill adult patients

  • Accrued hours can be a combination of direct patient care or role practice and are verifiable by the clinical supervisor

  • Include hours supervising at the bedside and with other nurses

  • Majority of practice hours must involve critically ill adult patients 

• Submit written verification of practice hours from a supervisor or colleague (RN or physician)

Renewal Options

ACCNS-N certification renewal includes one of three options.

1. 1,000 practice hours and 150 CE credits

2. 1,000 practice hours, 25 pharmacology CE credits and passing the ACCNS-N exam

3. 150 CE credits and passing the ACCNS-N exam

Cost

• Practice Hours and CE Points: $250 for AACN members and $340 for members

• Practice Hours, Exam and Pharma CE: $205 for AACN members and $310 for members

• CE Points and Exam: $205 for AACN members and $310 for members

Certification renewal requires varying continuing education contact hours based on the route taken to renew.

• The AACN provides comprehensive information about the application process, exam information, and resources to help study in the ACCNS-N Exam Handbook.

• Candidates can purchase textbooks, resources, and practice exams through the AACN store.

A candidate must have an RN or APRN license to be eligible for ACCNS-N (Neonatal) accreditation. Other related certifications include:

• Certification in Acute/Critical Care Nursing (CCRN) certification is for registered nurses providing direct care to directly/critically ill adults, pediatrics or neonatal patients.

• The Pediatric Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) Certification (Wellness through Acute Care) (ACCNS-P) certification is an entry-level certification from the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for graduate-level clinical nurse specialists (CNSs) with an RN or APRN license. The accreditation allows CNSs to provide continuous advanced nursing care across the healthcare range, from wellness to acute care to adult-gerontology patients (young adults, older adults, and the frail elderly population).