- Apply for your certification exam (ANCC or AANP)
- Request official transcripts from your program
- Confirm your graduation with the registrar
- Gather and save your clinical hours documentation
- Decide: ANCC or AANP?
Not sure which exam to choose or how to apply? The New Grad Guide covers both in detail.
New Grad Guide →- Schedule your exam date before you start studying
- Choose one primary study resource and commit to it
- Build your 8-week study schedule
- Complete at least 1,500 practice questions
- Focus on high-yield topics: pharmacology, mood, psychosis, risk assessment
- Take a full-length practice exam 2 weeks before test day
Module 2 of the New Grad Guide covers board strategy, resource comparison, and a built-in study tracker.
New Grad Guide →- Apply for your state APRN license immediately
- Apply for DEA registration once your license arrives
- Verify or apply for your NPI number
- Download and save your certification certificate
- Set a 5-year reminder for certification renewal
State licensure timelines, DEA application walkthrough, and NPI setup are covered step-by-step in Module 3.
New Grad Guide →- Start your job search before you have all credentials
- Get malpractice insurance before seeing any patients
- Review your employment contract before signing
- Confirm your state's collaborative practice requirements
- Negotiate your offer — first offers are rarely final
- Begin insurance credentialing if billing independently
Contract red flags, negotiation scripts, and what to look for in a first offer are in Module 5. The Contract Clarity Workshop goes even deeper.
New Grad Guide →- Set up your go-to clinical reference system
- Request EHR training access before your start date
- Build baseline documentation templates
- Identify who you'll call when you're clinically unsure
- Review your mandatory reporting obligations
Documentation templates, clinical reference setup, and your first-week framework are all in Module 7 — plus a downloadable first-day checklist.
New Grad Guide →This checklist is the map. The New Grad Guide is the directions.
Every item on this list has a module behind it — application walkthroughs, real scripts, downloadable templates, and the context your program didn't give you. Built specifically for new APRNs entering independent practice.