I am currently on the downward slope to graduating with my FNP and have numerous questions and curiosities as to others' experiences and recommendations with studying and preparing for the FNP board certification exam. I graduate in August of 2016, so I know I have time, but I want to plan ahead and start a time-frame for when certain things need to start happening.
1. First off, a very common question I'm sure... AANP or ANCC? I do not plan on taking both so would like to get a general opinion and comparison from those who have recently taken either certification exam.
2. Live review courses vs CDs vs online review courses? And when should I attend them in correlation with my graduation and certification date? Should I attend two different ones? And which specific ones do you all recommend?
3. What is a good time frame between graduation and taking boards?
4. I've already bought the Leik Review book, which I've heard fantastic things about, but what other study materials have you all utilized that really gave you straight-forward review?
5. What practice exams have you all bought and were they worth it?
6. Has anyone heard of a HESI exam that prepares FNPs to take their boards or gives them an idea of how they will do on boards?
So sorry for all the questions, I know it's a lot! I'm just trying to get as much information as possible in order to successfully plan my next ten months until graduation.
Thank you all so much! I look forward to your discussions!
I used an older CD review (2011) and then attended a live session in 2015 by a different lecturer. I feel that I benefited from the information from 2 different lecturers. If I had to choose, I would do CDs because I reviewed them over and over, I would listen to them while driving, etc. I had the manual that went with it and sat down with the manual and went through it as if I were at the live course, 8 hour sessions and made notes in the manual like I would have at a live session.
Buy an older version (cheaper) and listen to the CDs all the time, then sit down and do the sessions after graduation and at least 1-2 weeks before your exam is scheduled. Study very little the last week before the exam and nothing the day before.
If you do the Barkley review, he guarantees that you will pass if you take the exam at least 3 weeks after the review session but not more than 3 months. I think Liek also has a guarantee. Barkley has a discount if at least 4-5 people sign up as a group.
Beware, Liek has many wrong answers! I have a list of them that I can send you. I did find her book helpful after I corrected the wrong ones. I also thought Hollier book was helpful ( almost no incorrect answers and more questions). I have a blog about tips to studying for the AANP exam if you would like to visit it. Just pm me for the link (it can't be posted here due to the rules).
6.....HESI exam, yes, our school made us take a HESI exam before graduation, and my scores (in the 90s) were similar to my passing score (732/800) for the AANP FNP exam. But I do have to say that I studied for 5 weeks straight, at least 20 hours each week, after the HESI exam/graduation and before the AANP exam. I felt ready after those 5 weeks. I think most people know when they feel saturated and ready.
5....the benefit of practice exams is that they help you to identify weak areas and to study those areas. Memorizing answers does not help you but studying areas of weakness will help you. I had a friend who used them exclusively (with some review books but no review course) and she passed the ANCC exam the first time.
Thank you so much! That information was very helpful! Which CD review would you recommend? I've heard good things about the Fitzgerald CD. And yes, that would be great if you could send me the incorrect answers from the Leik book, because I've already started studying from that. And I will PM for that link, thank you so much!
I used Fitzgerald first, and then Barkley since a friend and I shared them. I liked having two perspectives, makes the information easier to integrate. But I think any would work as long as you listen and study from them, either by using the manual or by taking notes, whichever works best for you.
I used Fitzgerald first, and then Barkley since a friend and I shared them. I liked having two perspectives, makes the information easier to integrate. But I think any would work as long as you listen and study from them, either by using the manual or by taking notes, whichever works best for you.
Ok, sounds great, thanks again! I found your blog and read all of it...amazingly helpful information! You definitely are a blessing to the students on here, thank you for the study plan, it helps so much!
I graduated from my FNP program on 12/12/15. I took a live APEA review course in November. It was great. Amelie is a dynamic speaker. I also think her program has a 99% first time pass rate. I learned a lot. I bought her book of practice questions. Last week I bought 10 questions from Exam Edge that were specific for ANCC. I chose ANCC because if I failed (I took it today and passed) I could retake up to 3 times in 12 months with only 60 days between tests and would not need to do CE hours. Most classmates took AANP. Out of 30+ students only 2-3 took AANC. My friend graduated the same day and took AANP 4 days later. Hope this helps.
ashleyne2408
12 Posts
Thank you so much! That information was very helpful! Which CD review would you recommend? I've heard good things about the Fitzgerald CD. And yes, that would be great if you could send me the incorrect answers from the Leik book, because I've already started studying from that. And I will PM for that link, thank you so much!
Ashley