ANCC FNP exam passed!! March, 2018

Published Mar 27, 2018

1 Post

Hello fellow nurses,

I wanted to post my perspectives regarding the ANCC FNP certification exam after I took the exam. I am indeed glad to say that I took the exam yesterday, 3/25/18 and I passed!

ANCC FNP exam covered 40% or more of nonclinical questions, which some of them were answered by process of elimination. The clinical questions were more complex, which meant you had to understand the health issue and then apply critical thinking. I got many pictures of skin, others were chest and musculoskeletal.

To say it is not a difficult exam is an under statement. However, if you are prepared to a point when you know that you have done your possible best to do what it takes, then you are ready to take the exam and pass it the first time. It is important to know that you can never know everything, no matter how smart you think you are.

I read a few forum comments about how people started to study a year prior to completing their FNP programs and reading multiple books front to back 2, 3, or even 4 times, doing multiple live reviews, and all the test banks. I almost got frustrated, until I reminded myself that it is not my study style and it will never be my study style. My point is, read people's comments about preparing for the exam and then decide what works for you.

Six weeks of preparation. The last week of preparation, I was off from work to focus my mind, practice questions, and clarify areas of weakness.

I did not do any live review, but had a recorded APEA review modules as part of my final quarter in school. My last week of preparation, I also listened to bits of old Barkley audios that a friend gave me. He is a very smart guy.

I read the Leik book front to back once. Best resource, easy read with all the important health issues simplified. Did all the questions.

I had Fitzgerald book, but opened 2 to 3 chapters and I did not like the book, especially the set up. So, I did not waste my time on it.

Test banks: Board vitals, had unnecessarily complex questions, especially the nonclinical questions with unnecessary calculations. However, it helps your critical thinking skills.

Also used ExamEdge, questions were more simplified.

Overall, I believe ANCC FNP exam questions level of difficulty belong in the middle of both test banks.

I hope this helps people that are preparing and don't know what direction to focus on. I wish for everyone to pass it the first time. Good luck!!!