The ACCNS-AG credential, administered by AACN Certification Corporation, is an entry-level advanced practice board certification for clinical nurse specialists educated at the graduate level to provide advanced nursing care across the continuum from wellness through acute care for the adult-gerontology population (young adults, older adults, and the frail elderly). The exam's test plan is organized around two major dimensions: Clinical Judgment (67%), spanning cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, hematology/immunology/oncology, gastrointestinal, renal/genitourinary, integumentary, musculoskeletal, neurology, psychosocial/behavioral/cognitive health, factors influencing wellness and health status, and multisystem problems; and Professional Caring and Ethical Practice (33%), spanning advocacy/moral agency, caring practices, response to diversity, facilitation of learning, collaboration, systems thinking, and clinical inquiry — all organized under the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care.
