ANCC FNP 2021 - How I managed to pass.

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Specializes in Family Practice, Psychiatry.

I did it.  I passed on the first try.  I almost got sick as I pressed the "Finish" button......  It was no easy feat either, but I felt I should share here since I was scouring the web in recent weeks for any and all info I could on how on earth to prepare for the exam.  

I did what would probably be "overkill" for many students.  I took an entire online Fitzgerald course, did the ENTIRE Leik book and ALL of the practice questions/tests (over and over), did a lot on BoardVitals.com, and then also did one of the Sarah Michelle crash course worksheets - which was pure gold.  

I'm not going to lie.  I graduated on August the 23rd and passed the exam today, September 23rd.  I did take some time off after school because I was on the edge of crazy.....

Back to the exam...  I took ALL FOUR hours of the exam time (well - I had a few minutes to spare, but still....), which was super important.  I am a hyper-focuser (ADHD-type) who can't just do a couple hours a day.  My poor husband and kids just had to put up with me fixing the simplest meals ever, barely keeping the house functioning, etc., because I literally was spending every moment of free time studying.  I was studying between 13-16 hours a day for 3 weeks.  That was it for me.  

Here is where I want to help you out.  I personally don't think there is nearly enough time in any FNP program to REALLY learn all we need to know.  This is why I went absolutely nuts - because not only did I want to pass, but I also wanted to start off as a strong provider.  The low-down - the two most helpful things?  The Leik and the Sarah Michelle.  The Fitzgerald was SUPER in depth.  It was helpful - very much so.  I feel like I have a much broader knowledge base, and if you want a course that also provides a chance to ask Dr. Fitzgerald questions directly (the woman is amazingly knowlegeable) during Zoom sessions that come with your course - that is a great way to go.  As for Board Vitals - I would not recommend even bothering with it.  It was really shaking my confidence because the questions seemed really ridiculous.  The board exam did not seem as much like that site as I had heard from others (who had taken the AANP exam - so maybe that's where the difference is?)....  Anyway...

Other things that helped?  Take practice tests - then if you only get around a 70% - then study more (rather than just take questions).  Read the main concepts.  Learn all the BASIC illnesses, 1st line drugs, side effects, etc.  You want to make sure that you can prove you're a safe provider on the board exam.  The day before the exam - make a list of all the things you know you can treat.  You might be surprised at what you know.  That shocked me, honestly.  Also, I drank a LOT of water in the days before the test, and made sure to get plenty of rest the night before.  The morning of, I made sure to eat some protein because I knew I might pass out because of my stress level.  I also prayed because I knew I wasn't the one in charge.  DURING the exam, BREATHE, read through every question and don't rush.  Be thorough.  You may  catch something if you read it through a few times that you might not initially.  This happened for me a few times.

I've provided links to the most helpful resources I used.  You CAN DO IT!  If you made it through school, you can do this, too. 

Hugs,

Your colleague - and a new FNP-BC!

https://www.amazon.com/Family-Practitioner-Certification-Intensive-Review/

https://sarah-michelle-NP-reviews.mykajabi.com

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