Failed the AANP and ANCC

ale022 · Jan 30, 2013

Hello Everyone!
Im taking the AANP exam. Ive taken the Fitz live course but see from reading all the posts that the Hollier review is highly recommended. Also, which Hollier Review book is everyone suggesting? Is it a textbook, the workbook that comes with the lectures, OR the book of only review questions?
Im open to any/everyones responses please!
Thanks
Mel

I went to a Hollier class- I think it was a good class- I reviewed what she went over and it was helpful. I do feel she only touched on Derm- that might be something to look over-

UCgrad12 · Jan 30, 2013

Hi ale022!

Thanks so much for the response. I really do not at all feel prepared for this exam, Im already anticipating having to take it more than once, especially after reading all the posts on here. But I am wanting to make sure I have studied from all the recommended reviews mentioned in these posts (gonna be pricey but I hope its all worth it in the end). I did Fitz live course and I have the Leik textbook but I'll look into her webinar.

thanks again ale

ale022 · Feb 2, 2013

Ucgrad-I felt the same way goin into it. I had a bad feeling. There was 2 questions in the beginning that I did NOT know and that freaked me out. I got all panicky and it was all down hill from there. Good luck! Next time I will not let the nerves gets me

takotsubo82 · Feb 21, 2013

Hi all. I just thought I share this to those who may need suggestions to passing the AANP FNP exam. I passed my FNP AANP board on Feb 2. This was my second time taking the test. The first time was a hot mess. I flunk the first three questions and it just went down from there. My study skills were ineffective and I had too many personal things going in my life during that time. I studied from both Fitzgerald and Barkley, but were too focused on practice questions from Leik (probably was my biggest mistake). I kept failing these questions and contradicted myself w/ my studying materials.

My suggestion to those who are going to take this exam is to really understand the main concepts in depth. The second time I took the test, I knew what to focus on my study. Remember you are not going to manage DKA, MI, and Stroke unless you are an ACNP. So you don't know need to know much in depth about those things, but just recognize that it is an urgent matter and need to refer out. After two months of reviewing contents, I decided to lock myself in my room and go to the public library everyday (I am single and unemployed). No Facebook and computer.

It's true assessment is key to passing this test. At least it was for me. When I got my scores back the first time, assessment was my biggest weakness. I looked up any assessment that I didn't know in the second time studying such as Lachman test, Apley, and Romberg. If you don't recognize something, don't pick it as answer.

Finally anxiety... another reason why I failed the first time. I didn't sleep well the night before. I almost vomit getting out of the train station before taking my test. During the second time, I knew I was ready. I had confidence and slept okay the night before (had to take Ativan 3 nights before the test).

Know your contents. You know you are ready when you can recall all the main concepts on the top of your head. For example if someone asked you about "cauda equina". You'll know the diagnosis w/ the info they give you in the stem of the question, but what will you do. Order an x-ray? Refer to ED? NSAIDS? Reassurance?

FYI some of the questions came up twice.

So to sum it all up:

1. Study contents, not practice questions. Take notes. Once you have a generalize review of the materials, focus on 3 body systems per day. Keep going over these each day and add on 3 more until you have mastered everything. Go back to your health assessment book and look things up you don't recall learning from school.

2. Isolation from the world for a while

3. Get all of the personal problems out of the way while you are studying (breaking up w/ bf, jobless, moving, family issues--- this was all me)

4. Make flash cards. I made nearly 400.

5. Eat well, sleep well, consistent life schedule.

6. Pray if you believe in God. I started going to church again on Sundays after many years.

7. When all of these is done, organize it in a pile. Take a picture to save the moment and get ready for the burning man ceremony in your fireplace.

As to what materials to use for studying. I studied both Fitzgerald and Barkley. I find that Fitzgerald is too details, but she does cover some information on back pain like cauda equine, orbital cellulitis, and giant cell arteritis that Barkley didn't go over. Honestly, she's quite obsessed w/ microbiology and P450 inhibitor, which I didn't think you really need to know for the test. However, it's good to know for personal knowledge when prescribing antibiotics. Barkley breaks down each disease process in steps, much easier to absorb. I reviewed Fitzgerald book once, but used my Barkley's workbook to go over my contents each day. I also listened to both lectures on CDs, but even that was too much to absorb. Don't just rely on these CDs, I thought I was an auditory learner, boy was I wrong the first time I took the test. I Hope this helps. God bless.

It's been almost 3 weeks since I passed. I am now looking for NP jobs in the bay area, but it's so saturated here. I may have to move to follow my dream. You can do this friend! Just believe in yourself. Take a break and breathe during the exam. By question 75, I was exhausted, but remember why I am doing this, I work hard to get to where I am, and I must not give up. I went to the restroom 3x. When the test was over and the screen popped up "Passed", I nearly scream in the exam room.

If you don't pass, you can do your 15ce credits for free from AANP https://cecenter.aanp.org/Program?area=All It saved me money to take the AANP again. It also gets easier the second time, maybe because I was prepared this time :)

ama039 · Feb 23, 2013

Hi all. I just thought I share this to those who may need suggestions to passing the AANP FNP exam. I passed my FNP AANP board on Feb 2. This was my second time taking the test. The first time was a hot mess. I flunk the first three questions and it just went down from there. My study skills were ineffective and I had too many personal things going in my life during that time. I studied from both Fitzgerald and Barkley, but were too focused on practice questions from Leik (probably was my biggest mistake). I kept failing these questions and contradicted myself w/ my studying materials.
My suggestion to those who are going to take this exam is to really understand the main concepts in depth. The second time I took the test, I knew what to focus on my study. Remember you are not going to manage DKA, MI, and Stroke unless you are an ACNP. So you don't know need to know much in depth about those things, but just recognize that it is an urgent matter and need to refer out. After two months of reviewing contents, I decided to lock myself in my room and go to the public library everyday (I am single and unemployed). No Facebook and computer.
It's true assessment is key to passing this test. At least it was for me. When I got my scores back the first time, assessment was my biggest weakness. I looked up any assessment that I didn't know in the second time studying such as Lachman test, Apley, and Romberg. If you don't recognize something, don't pick it as answer.
Finally anxiety... another reason why I failed the first time. I didn't sleep well the night before. I almost vomit getting out of the train station before taking my test. During the second time, I knew I was ready. I had confidence and slept okay the night before (had to take Ativan 3 nights before the test).
Know your contents. You know you are ready when you can recall all the main concepts on the top of your head. For example if someone asked you about "cauda equina". You'll know the diagnosis w/ the info they give you in the stem of the question, but what will you do. Order an x-ray? Refer to ED? NSAIDS? Reassurance?
FYI some of the questions came up twice.
So to sum it all up:
1. Study contents, not practice questions. Take notes. Once you have a generalize review of the materials, focus on 3 body systems per day. Keep going over these each day and add on 3 more until you have mastered everything. Go back to your health assessment book and look things up you don't recall learning from school.
2. Isolation from the world for a while
3. Get all of the personal problems out of the way while you are studying (breaking up w/ bf, jobless, moving, family issues--- this was all me)
4. Make flash cards. I made nearly 400.
5. Eat well, sleep well, consistent life schedule.
6. Pray if you believe in God. I started going to church again on Sundays after many years.
7. When all of these is done, organize it in a pile. Take a picture to save the moment and get ready for the burning man ceremony in your fireplace.
As to what materials to use for studying. I studied both Fitzgerald and Barkley. I find that Fitzgerald is too details, but she does cover some information on back pain like cauda equine, orbital cellulitis, and giant cell arteritis that Barkley didn't go over. Honestly, she's quite obsessed w/ microbiology and P450 inhibitor, which I didn't think you really need to know for the test. However, it's good to know for personal knowledge when prescribing antibiotics. Barkley breaks down each disease process in steps, much easier to absorb. I reviewed Fitzgerald book once, but used my Barkley's workbook to go over my contents each day. I also listened to both lectures on CDs, but even that was too much to absorb. Don't just rely on these CDs, I thought I was an auditory learner, boy was I wrong the first time I took the test. I Hope this helps. God bless.
It's been almost 3 weeks since I passed. I am now looking for NP jobs in the bay area, but it's so saturated here. I may have to move to follow my dream. You can do this friend! Just believe in yourself. Take a break and breathe during the exam. By question 75, I was exhausted, but remember why I am doing this, I work hard to get to where I am, and I must not give up. I went to the restroom 3x. When the test was over and the screen popped up "Passed", I nearly scream in the exam room.
If you don't pass, you can do your 15ce credits for free from AANP https://cecenter.aanp.org/Program?area=All It saved me money to take the AANP again. It also gets easier the second time, maybe because I was prepared this time :)

Thanks for this!!! Did you find the tests similar? I'm taking AANP again. Ie.... Skin disorders, GERD... Etc. or was it completely different?

ama039 · Feb 24, 2013

Hi all. I just thought I share this to those who may need suggestions to passing the AANP FNP exam. I passed my FNP AANP board on Feb 2. This was my second time taking the test. The first time was a hot mess. I flunk the first three questions and it just went down from there. My study skills were ineffective and I had too many personal things going in my life during that time. I studied from both Fitzgerald and Barkley, but were too focused on practice questions from Leik (probably was my biggest mistake). I kept failing these questions and contradicted myself w/ my studying materials.
My suggestion to those who are going to take this exam is to really understand the main concepts in depth. The second time I took the test, I knew what to focus on my study. Remember you are not going to manage DKA, MI, and Stroke unless you are an ACNP. So you don't know need to know much in depth about those things, but just recognize that it is an urgent matter and need to refer out. After two months of reviewing contents, I decided to lock myself in my room and go to the public library everyday (I am single and unemployed). No Facebook and computer.
It's true assessment is key to passing this test. At least it was for me. When I got my scores back the first time, assessment was my biggest weakness. I looked up any assessment that I didn't know in the second time studying such as Lachman test, Apley, and Romberg. If you don't recognize something, don't pick it as answer.
Finally anxiety... another reason why I failed the first time. I didn't sleep well the night before. I almost vomit getting out of the train station before taking my test. During the second time, I knew I was ready. I had confidence and slept okay the night before (had to take Ativan 3 nights before the test).
Know your contents. You know you are ready when you can recall all the main concepts on the top of your head. For example if someone asked you about "cauda equina". You'll know the diagnosis w/ the info they give you in the stem of the question, but what will you do. Order an x-ray? Refer to ED? NSAIDS? Reassurance?
FYI some of the questions came up twice.
So to sum it all up:
1. Study contents, not practice questions. Take notes. Once you have a generalize review of the materials, focus on 3 body systems per day. Keep going over these each day and add on 3 more until you have mastered everything. Go back to your health assessment book and look things up you don't recall learning from school.
2. Isolation from the world for a while
3. Get all of the personal problems out of the way while you are studying (breaking up w/ bf, jobless, moving, family issues--- this was all me)
4. Make flash cards. I made nearly 400.
5. Eat well, sleep well, consistent life schedule.
6. Pray if you believe in God. I started going to church again on Sundays after many years.
7. When all of these is done, organize it in a pile. Take a picture to save the moment and get ready for the burning man ceremony in your fireplace.
As to what materials to use for studying. I studied both Fitzgerald and Barkley. I find that Fitzgerald is too details, but she does cover some information on back pain like cauda equine, orbital cellulitis, and giant cell arteritis that Barkley didn't go over. Honestly, she's quite obsessed w/ microbiology and P450 inhibitor, which I didn't think you really need to know for the test. However, it's good to know for personal knowledge when prescribing antibiotics. Barkley breaks down each disease process in steps, much easier to absorb. I reviewed Fitzgerald book once, but used my Barkley's workbook to go over my contents each day. I also listened to both lectures on CDs, but even that was too much to absorb. Don't just rely on these CDs, I thought I was an auditory learner, boy was I wrong the first time I took the test. I Hope this helps. God bless.
It's been almost 3 weeks since I passed. I am now looking for NP jobs in the bay area, but it's so saturated here. I may have to move to follow my dream. You can do this friend! Just believe in yourself. Take a break and breathe during the exam. By question 75, I was exhausted, but remember why I am doing this, I work hard to get to where I am, and I must not give up. I went to the restroom 3x. When the test was over and the screen popped up "Passed", I nearly scream in the exam room.
If you don't pass, you can do your 15ce credits for free from AANP https://cecenter.aanp.org/Program?area=All It saved me money to take the AANP again. It also gets easier the second time, maybe because I was prepared this time :)

Were the questions similar in content on your 2nd exam for AANP? Or did it focus on things totally different?

susufairy · Mar 11, 2013

hi, guys, I just passed ANCC ACNP exam last week.

Alexis33 · Jun 5, 2013

Well stated!

I loved # 7

I found out I am not an auditory learner too.

You got exhausted at question 75 and I had narcolepsy (even my brain was protesting) -smile

I didn't take any breaks but I will next time. It makes all the difference because it gives your mind time to breathe and regroup too. thanks for sharing all.!!!

If you have to move- spread your wings and SOAR!!!!!!

The best is yet to come!!!!!

L.

bcc71 · Oct 7, 2013

I graduated this past May, took the ANCC in July and failed. I then took the AANP in August and failed that too. Well, needless to say, I am more than a little discouraged and depressed. I re-test in less than 2 weeks and all I keep thinking is "what will I do if I fail yet again?" I have never failed anything like this before, so this has really done a number on me.

Congratulations to all of you who have passed! If anyone wouldn't mind, could you say a few prayers for me? I test on the 17th of October...could use all the prayers I can get! Thank you in advance:)

Jane33 RN · Oct 7, 2013

I know just how you feel! Be encouraged and don't give up! You can do it. I will be praying for you. Hang in there soon this will all be over for you!

Tinabeanrn · Oct 7, 2013

Prayers sent. No worries. .keep the faith. This too shall pass

bcc71 · Oct 8, 2013

To Jane33RN and Tinabeanrn, I so appreciate your prayers and words of encouragement. There is nothing I love more than to observe healthcare practitioners supporting eachother in times of struggle. That is what teamwork is truly all about. I have read many of your posts and even though they were directed to others struggling, I thank you both for the support and confidence you build in others. God places people where they are most needed, so for the purpose of this thread, you are right where you belong; supporting, lifting and building confidence in future practitioners! Thank you:)