Failed the AANP and ANCC

buster4 · Aug 21, 2011

Hello, I am sorry about yoru situation, I cant' imagine how hard it is............. but I did not take the ANCC so I cannot speak about that test, I took the AANP and how I preparared, I bought the APEA and Fitzgerald review CD's, and bought a review book from Leik, and Fitzgerald regular review book with questions.............. and I purchased APEA 30 day unlimited questions, went through every question they had, there is an option of it giving you an explanation, it tells you why it is the answer and why it is not the others.... so you learn a lot by going through, I wrote all of that done and then went back through all of that............ I listened to the review CD's so much, I could almost tell you what they were going to say before they said it........... I studied several hours daily for about 5 weeks.... (I got laid off so I didnt' work)........... so I had read on here of several posts over the past couple of years of people failing several times, so I guess I over prepared........ but I highly recommend APEA's CD's and online question bank...... she is a joy to listen to and makes it fun, she has a wonderful way to remember murmurs which I used on the test....................... so I have seen on here that people have taken it more than once and have passed finally, so there is hope......................... but you need to probably do the AANP soon, (I was afraid of the ANCC due to theory etc that is my weak area)... but get prepared.......!!!!! I can only attest to what worked for me............... all of my classmates has taken the AANP and have passed several of them just took Fitzgerald Review. or went to APEA review course....... I liked having the CD's to listen over and over in the car, wherever I was.............. So GOOD LUCK AND DONT' GIVE UP!! You will just work very hard but you can do it!

hope1272 · Aug 23, 2011

Hi Buster4!

Thanks for all your wonderful input and hopeful wishes! I ordered the APEA book of questions, just received it and started doing them. I have my CDs from Barkley & Assoc which is wonderful, but I will look into Amelie's CDs as well. You're right, it is hard work and I have to put a lot of time into this. After failing the AANP, it is required that one takes a 15 credit course before you can reapply. With ANCC, I just need to reapply in 2 months, which gives me time to study more. I would love to do the AANP over, but can't find a course that will give me 15 CEs. Thank you again!

speedi · Aug 28, 2011

I am so sorry you did not do well. I took the AANP on August 17, 2011 and passed. I studied Fitzgerald's CD's and her review books. I attended her seminar and went over the information as well as the CD's several times. If you can attend one of her seminars it will be most helpful for you, or it you can get your hands on the review course book and the CD's that would be most helpful. I graduated in May, 2011 and did not have committed study time due to vacations, after the fourth of July I buckled down and set goals for myself of what I would study each day. Each day I would listen to a lecture on a topic and follow that with review questions along with rationals. The questions that I missed I looked up. The test was not that difficult for me, I guess was because I studied on my days off and that was my focus. I did not tell anyone I was taking the test because I didn't want that kind of pressure. I am not sure how many CEUs Fitzgerald is, but I feel she prepared me more. I don't feel like I would have passed the ANCC due to the research, etc. on the test. Let me know if I can be of any additional help. Good luck to you and don't give up!

TeresaRN1 · Oct 3, 2011

Hi Hope1272,

Sorry to hear about your exams. I am currently an FNP student preparing to graduate in May '12 so I can not advise you on the exams however; I can say that I use Hollier and Fitzgerald's CDs and review questions book as study tools for my course exams and I recommend them to students and certification takers. Listening to the CDs helps make the more difficult concepts easier to understand in a sentence or two. Amelie (Hollier) is great at that. You mentioned you are in need of, yet unable to find, a 15 credit course needed before being allowed to re-take the AANP exam. Recommend you become a member of AANP (I am a student member). There are many courses availablefor credit through their website for nurses needing additional advanced practice education prior to re-taking the certification exam. You may pay online and receive membership benefits immediately upon payment. Recommend getting a student membership ($85) then perusing their 'education' area for a course worth 15 credits so that you may re-take the AANP certification exam sooner rather than later. I hope this helps. Thanks.......and good luck.

TeresaRN1

smartfun03 · Oct 3, 2011

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!!!

Dear Test Taker Mom,

I too failed and I have 3 kids. I've joined this site to network and find out what would be a great study CD &/or book or group. We'll stick together and stay positive!

P.S. I took the Fitzgerald class

smartfun03 · Oct 3, 2011

I am so sorry you did not do well. I took the AANP on August 17, 2011 and passed. I studied Fitzgerald's CD's and her review books. I attended her seminar and went over the information as well as the CD's several times. If you can attend one of her seminars it will be most helpful for you, or it you can get your hands on the review course book and the CD's that would be most helpful. I graduated in May, 2011 and did not have committed study time due to vacations, after the fourth of July I buckled down and set goals for myself of what I would study each day. Each day I would listen to a lecture on a topic and follow that with review questions along with rationals. The questions that I missed I looked up. The test was not that difficult for me, I guess was because I studied on my days off and that was my focus. I did not tell anyone I was taking the test because I didn't want that kind of pressure. I am not sure how many CEUs Fitzgerald is, but I feel she prepared me more. I don't feel like I would have passed the ANCC due to the research, etc. on the test. Let me know if I can be of any additional help. Good luck to you and don't give up!

Do you want to sell your test material to me so I can pass too?

Jane33 RN · Nov 23, 2011

I know just how you feel! I too took both exams ANCC and AANP and failed! I took a review course ad studied all summer. I don't know what I did wrong. After reading several post I was encouraged to know that those who failed eventually passed one of the exams because they did not give up! I'm not going to give up either! Yes it is painful and stressful but there is hope! I can not make myself believe that God bought me this far to leave me! I know that God will allow me to pass because I trust Him! I am going back to the basics by studying my Bate's physical assessment book! I am also thinking about taking the Maria Leiks npreview webinar in Feb. God Bless and stay encouraged!:):)

zoeypb · Nov 28, 2011

Jane-

I too have failed both exams within the 3 months- can't believe it has been that long already. I am amazed at your optimism. I am filled with sadness, which is componded by a great deal of stress and anxiety. I do not know where to begin with my 3rd round of studying, but need to do so soon as I want to repeat the ancc exam in a few weeks. I have a great FNP job waiting for me. Any suggestions from anyone would be much appreciated and some prayers would be great too. The support I have seen on this website is amazing and will be paid back twofold.

Jane33 RN · Nov 29, 2011

Zoeypb I understand just how you feel! Believe me I struggle with the fact that I have not passed yet and I graduated almost a year ago. It is really painful that everyone in my class has passed except me! Even some people that I worked with who attended another school and have graduated after me have pass! I feel like those who have passed are looking down on me as well as some NPs who round at my hospital. So yes it is a struggle. But it is a struggle that we shall both overcome! I was so embarrassed and frustrated that I did not pass. I spent so much time studying that I did not have a life. So now I've decided that I'm not going to make myself suffer any longer! My plan is to do Maria Leik's webinar review course in Feburary. I know it seems far away but I feel like I don't know what else to do and obviously I am not doing something right. Check out the npreview website. I plan on studying for about 4 hours a day on my days off. I plan on rewarding myself and no longer punishing myself by being ashamed and studying all day without doing things I like to do. The bottom line is this what God has for me is for me. I know that He will allow me to pass the exam. I don't know when (I'm praying soon) because God's time is not our time. No matter what it looks like or what it feel like I believe and trust God! God did not bring me this far to leave me! My advice to you is the same advice for me....trust God, keep praying (because prayer works) and don't give up because God is not going to give up on you. God's rewards are awesome and I'm going to be patient and just trust Him! Remember God was that One who carried you through school and He can do all things but fail! Sorry so long but I just want you to be encouraged! You are not alone! God Bless!

JamieH · Dec 30, 2011

Hey! Are you interested in selling any of your review material??

zoeypb · Dec 31, 2011

After many tears, prayers, and hours of giving up family time to study over the holidays, I finally did it. I passed the ANCC FNP exam yesterday. Please know that it is do-able. Keep the faith.

Special thanks to Jane33. I don't know who you are, but your words of encouragement have been inspirational. Please let me know if I can be of any help to you.