Failed the AANP and ANCC

Nursing Students NP Students

Published

Hello everyone

So I took the AANP in March 2011 after taking the Fitz course, and failed (personally I didn't think I was ready), but I thought I would try. Then I purchased the Barkley Assoc CD and Home Course and studied better from his work. So in Aug, 2011, I took the ANCC and it was FULL of ethical, cultural, and Standard of Nursing questions, all of which I didn't study; hence I failed again. I'm sooo sad and ready to give up. But I worked so hard. I have two small children and really need to pass. I'm losing hope...Did anyone else fail more than once? Is there hope? Any help is good help. Thank you!!!

Specializes in ICU.

Congrats Zoey!!!!

Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Congrats!

Specializes in Level II Trauma Center ICU.

Congratulations!!

I just did the Fitz Review Course Online for 24 hours CEs which allowed me to go with my pace at home.

I am with you on that. I failed the AANP in December 2011, was so disappointed. I bought Joann Zerwekh FNP review book and took Fitz Review Course Online for 15hrs CEs. Prior to the exam, I did APEA 30 days and her actual review course (do not waste money on her stuffs) plus Fitz review book 2010. I will be retaking the exam soon, waiting for Prometric to send me a letter to schedule the exam. I feel ready this time after review both of these resources plus additional materials on 5-Minute Clinical Consult. There are a few exact exam questions which I found on both Zerekh and Fitz Review Course Online. There was a ton of questions on Dermatology which I am now ready for it.

Zoeypb,

When I read your post my face just lit up with a big ole fat smile! I am so happy for you. As soon as I read your post I thanked God for you! I was praying for you when you told us that you would be taking your test on Dec. 30. But then when I did not hear anything from you I got a little worried because you had not posted that you had past. So you where on my mind because I was wondering how you made out. I am so glad to hear that God has done it again! God is faithful!!! The only thing you can do to help me is to continue to pray for me. I will be taking my test next month after the review course that I am taking. I just started back studying. God is good and I trust Him that I will pass that test. Congrats! Enjoy! I am so glad you did not give up and that you continued to pray and trust God! This is so encouraging for me because I know that God is able to do the same for me! :thankya:

I took the AANP and failed. I feel terrible. I kinda blanked out and I wish I could say the majority of the content was what I did not study but it wasn't. Probaly about 75% of the stuff I studied it was just they picked out the most random crap that I must have missed. I plan to take it again but I feel like its so much info that I will never remember it all. I am so depressed right now. I studied hard. I did the Fitzgerald review class plus the Fitzgerald cert review book plus I made notecards and paid for practice exams. Please help I am exhausted right now and can't possibly imagine doing this crap again:-(

I know just how you feel! It is both physically and mentally exhausting! After taking that test I felt like it was the longest day ever. I just got my letter to retest and I get anxiety every time I think about that test and every time I ride by the testing center! I studied hard too so I understand just how you are feeling! I cried for 3 days after I did not pass the first time. It is disappointing but know that you are not defeated. Cry, be upset do what you got to do to get those bad feelings out of your system! Then you must pray and continue to study. Come up with a plan. I just want to be done and put this test behind me so that I can get on with my life! Hang in there.... All things are possible if you believe and trust God! Don't give up!

Jane33-

You are still in my prayers. Have you received your test date? I felt nauseated every time I considered scheduling. It is just one of those things. You know the material. Be confident in yourself and do it.

I know you can do it. A few suggestions that helped me this time... I marked fewer answers. I only changed an answer if I could prove to myself that my initial response was incorrect. I consciously took more time in reading the question and each of the responses. If I found my mind wandering I read the answers starting from the bottom up.

In addition... Check out the ANA's website. It has a lot of helpful information about Ethics, Scope, etc. Also look at the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner website. It has a lot of extra info about the NP role. Not that the info is real specific, but I found it helpful and almost relieving. It covers the extras that many of the review books do not cover.

Keep me posted.:)

Dancergirl-

I know it sounds funny, but it is possible to overstudy. This causes even more anxiety, which leads to confusion (and frustration and self doubt) when taking the exam. It is about studying in little chunks. Take the material that you are least comfortable with and start there. Allow yourself more time for that information. I would often begin and focus my studying on the information I knew and felt most confident with, why not, it made me feel like I actually knew something. This took away from my time of becoming more knowledgeable (and comfortable) about the stuff that I did not really know.

I know that even considering retaking that exam is heart wrenching. It is a necessary evil that has to be achieved to accomplish your ultimate goal. And remember, your patients aren't going to ask you how many times it took for you to pass your boards. They will probably be impressed with your diligence and steadfast approach to their care.

Good luck.

Zoeypb,Thank you for the advice. I have not set a date to test yet because I am waiting to take the np webinar by Maria Leiks. I'm thinking of taking the test in March. I have until May but I don't want to wait that long. I have been studying almost everyday my review books. When I get the answers wrong I go back and review them and most of the time I get the answer wrong because I read the question to fast. Yes I plan on taking my time on this exam and carefully read the question. Yes I am nervous and I almost had a break down last week. A part of me just wanted to give up! But I know that is not an option. I know God will allow to pass this test. I still have hope. I just want to put this exam behind and move on with my life. Thank you and continue to keep me in your prayers.

Jane, Zoey, Dancegrl, et al.... I am so happy that you all have posted. Back in November, 2011, I noticed that many people were not posting when they failed. So i felt like a bigger failure, thinking I'm among the minority. So I decided to write (my original post) to see what i was doing wrong. I failed twice and now that I'm about to take it a third time, I came back to my original post and saw so many positive replies. You all are very strong, positive, loving people. To come to this blog and post your thoughts, fears, hopes and to help those whom you don't know is Wonderful!!!! God bless you all. I wish you all much success and love; that you may become great role models and great NPs. I feel hopeful and confident that when I go retest, I will pass. Jane, I plan to take the AANP in March also. I will keep you all in my prayers as well. One day at a prometrix site, a woman came up to me (who knew I had failed b/c my husband told her why I was so sad) and told me to be confident and don't give up b/c her son was there taking his "teachers" certification and had failed 9 times before he had passed that day. I know its not the same test, but I can imagine how frustrating it must have been for him. Many would have given up, but he didn't! Neither should we!!! Be strong, be courageous, be positive. We're all nurses.....we can do this! :thankya:

+ Add a Comment