AANP Certification Exam

Nursing Students NP Students

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Well, I took the AANP certification exam today and failed. It was the most horrible feeling in the world.

I took the Barkley live review seminar. It was three jam packed days and they sent us home with a notebook of everything covered. They made a very big deal out of stating they have a 99% passing rate for the exam if you know the material they covered.

Well, I knew it backwards and forwards, practically memorized the entire notebook. And to be honest, I would have done just as well if I had never even opened the thing. It literally only helped me with about two questions. I am so disappointed.

It's so nice to be in the 1% group. Now I don't know what to do. I guessed at probably at LEAST half the questions. It was very hard! What's bad is you don't know which questions you got right or wrong.

I was not nervous at all so it was not test anxiety. It's like I just knew absolutely nothing. The whole test was clinically based but the answer selections were just so confusing.

If it weren't for student loans to pay back I think I would not even bother taking it again.

I'm open to suggestions on how to study now. I actually thought I was well prepared when I went to take the test but obviously NOT!

I'm going to go sit in my recliner and bask in my depression now!

Thanks for the advise Dixiecup! I know you will pass!!! You saw what the test is like and you got any anxitey over the test out of the way! Now the next time just go in there and be confident!! :)

Hi DixieCup;

I passed just a month ago and have gotten several hits from employers but not the right one yet. Yes, I am going to be a little nervous going into my first job but I will research what I need to, before starting to fine tune what I need to plus, remember, you are supposed to be starting as a beginning NP. You aren't supposed to know everything right now. As many have told me, your OJT will help. It is like when you started as a RN, you were nervous but experience helped you build on your knowledge.

I continue to be quite serious in my duty to be competent so I am still reviewing my exam prep materials as refresher material. I studied too hard all of this time not to succeed and you will succeed also.

This is the first time in my life I had ever failed anything so I feel your pain. Don't focus on anything right now except passing! You can cross the other bridges after you pass and you are going to pass whether it be next time or the next. One thing is for sure, if you don't keep at it you won't pass so ..... You go!!!!

Hi DixieCup,

I too failed my exam first time around and felt the same way, so I know where you are coming from!! I am scheduled to take it again in the end of April with me starting a new job that following Monday, so I am very anxious but I know with the Lord's help I can do this!!!! To get my CEU's, I did the free ones on the ANPP website because of money constraints, sent them in with my money and a month or two later received my letter to retest. I too took the Barkley class and studied but now I see I must come at the test much differently and am trying to do this. So please pray for me and I will pray for you, it can be done!!!!!! Keep your head up and get ready to pass this darn :) exam!!!!!

OMG! I can't wait that long. Can you believe I got two job offers today. They will be gone by the time I test again. And my microwave just shot craps. When it rains, it pours!

Hi knurjohn1,

You mentioned in your post that you will have to come at the test much differently this time, what did you feel you did wrong when studying for the test the first time? What would you say was difficult for you? Keep studying and I'm sure you will do great on the exam! I take mine soon so i'm very nervous. Any advise is greatly appreciated! Thanks and Good luck to you! You will Pass!

Specializes in ACNP, ICU.

i used the fitzgerald review for the ancc acute care exam. i found much of the material she covered was almost word for word on the test. i simply listened to her cd course enough time that i practically had it memorized, like the words to a song. I bought the cd set on ebay for $150, no book and sold it for $160. The cds really were my only study material. For me, the test had way to few clinical questions and too many questions about the appropriate way to interact with your patients

Hi everyone, I'm new to the forum (been lurking for a bit) Dixiecup, I know how devastating a blow it must have been to not pass your exam. You've gotten some great encouragement and responses here.

I'm scheduled to take the test in 3 weeks and I'm a wreck over it...I have a job offer at my current place of employment contigent on passing, and they've hired someone to take my place already for when I move positions, but of course no one's going anywhere if I don't pass...nothing like a little pressure to add to the stress. :yeah:

So far, I've studied the Fitzgerald workbook and the Hollier (?) workbook with qestions and rationales. I've been reading my pharmacology book, because it has a good overview of body systems and disease processes. I've been listening to the CD's but haven't made it through all 15 of them. I'm planning on taking an online practice exam in about a week just to see where I stand. I honestly don't think I can prep much more, but I'm not feelng like I'm a shoe-in for passing at all. It's going to be tough, that much I know.

The info on this forum has really helped, and at least I'll know if I don't pass, I'm not alone.

Hi,

I join with others to offer you wishes for lots of luck and belief in yourself! "Yes, we can!!!". As for CEUs, Nursing Spectrum online has TONS of CEUs for NPs as well. For $34 bucks you can take unlimied CEUs (i think, you have 1 yr. to do that).

Again, good luck!

GrnRn

Offering my condolences and encouragement to you. You will have a story of overcoming hardship for the next person in your situation.

Good luck!

Specializes in ER and Aesthetics.
Thanks for all the kind replies! I've had a day of mourning, now I'm ready to get back on the horse! ( I was just so ready for it to be over and have my life back!)

I went to the AANP certification website and they will sent me a letter telling me my weak area and I am required to do 15 CEU's in that area before I can re-test. I didn't know that part. If anyone knows a place to find CEU's it would be greatly appreciated. They will also be sending a re-application.

I just hope there isn't a time frame I have to wait, like three months or something. That would not be good for me, I don't think I can stand to study for that long but if I don't I'm afraid I will forget too many things I need to know. (although, obviously I didn't know near enough in the first place!)

I have a job waiting for me but if I have to wait too long to re-test I know the position will be gone.

Again, thanks for listening. Family and friends try to be supportive but only people who are in the same situation really understand how you're feeling!

Hey Dixiecup my name is Jamie and I just took the AANP exam yesterday April 3 and I failed it. I soooooo know how you feel. I cried all day yesterday. Nice Easter present huh! Hey email me I would like to discuss what you experiened . My email is [email protected]

What state are you in? I am in CA

Don't feel bad, I have taken the ANCC FNP Cert. exam so many times I have loct count. I took the AANP 12/12/09 and failed that too. Iam scheduled to sit for both exams in June. If you would like to chat let me know and I will send you a private message with my email. :confused::uhoh3::crying2:

I would love to chat with you. I am at [email protected]

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