FNP Certification

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Which certification organization did you go with and why? That is AANP or ANCP? I would like to do AANP because it is BY NPs, but I like the accessibility of the ANCP ( can test year round). Has anyone taken both?

Regards.

Specializes in ICU, Trauma, Anesthesia, Education, etc..

Wow- you were very well prepared! I am also preparing obsessively- it's just my personality. I have always been a die-hard Fitzgerald fan. I listened to her review course throughout my entire last year of school.

A couple of months ago, I was able to get the 2007 APEA review CDs for very cheap. I was surprised at how wonderful they were. She has an entirely different style. This year, it was just too expensive to go into NYC for Fitz review so instead, I bought the 2010 Fitzgerald CDs and the 2010 APEA CDs. The APEA CDs are just phenomenal. I have learned a lot of things that Fitzgerald doesn't cover. I like having the two sources to compare and contrast but many people find it confusing.

I think if I had to pick one, I would go with the APEA. It is much less money (269 dollars vs 420 dollars) and very well done. You can also find used copies of both courses on the online auction sites for relatively cheap.

lakebabynurse, if you had to pick one, which book would you buy - Leik or Zerwekh & Claborn? I am totally broke but have a Border's giftcard. I hear Zerwekh is great but older (2005) and Leik has a lot of tips but no CD. What do you think? (I have all of the other books you mentioned already)

P.S. Thanks for all of the helpful advice! :bow:

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Hi and thank you! I took the Fitz in Jan., (live course) and have been reviewing since then.

I just recently purchased the APEA online tests for FNP's. After reading these blogs, I just ordered the Zerwekh and Leik review books. I am feeling like I am getting somewhere but have a long way to go (sound familiar?) I just picked my test date (June 12) and am wondering if I should wait until the end of the summer now.

Man, this is not easy!

A friend of mine has the Fitz CD's but I feel like I am running out of time.....

thoughts?

thanks. You sounded very well prepared. I just graduated in Dec. also, my last clinical was in the SPR 09 and I have not been working for a while....

Thanks for the great messages!!!

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, Anesthesia, Education, etc..
Hi and thank you! I took the Fitz in Jan., (live course) and have been reviewing since then.

I just recently purchased the APEA online tests for FNP's. After reading these blogs, I just ordered the Zerwekh and Leik review books. I am feeling like I am getting somewhere but have a long way to go (sound familiar?) I just picked my test date (June 12) and am wondering if I should wait until the end of the summer now.

Man, this is not easy!

A friend of mine has the Fitz CD's but I feel like I am running out of time.....

thoughts?

thanks. You sounded very well prepared. I just graduated in Dec. also, my last clinical was in the SPR 09 and I have not been working for a while....

Thanks for the great messages!!!

Are you able to move your date if you wanted to? I never even thought about that! I'm still waiting for mine. Could you let me know what you think of the Leik and Zerwekh? It would be greatly appreciated! Also, if your friend has the Fitz CDs, it may be helpful to borrow them. I find that it helps break up the monotony of just reading. Plus you get both audio and visual learning to help reinforce info :nurse:

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I should get the books next week ( didn't want to splurge on overnight shipping!!). for now I'll concentrate on fitz and apea questions. I just can't seem to review enough for it to stick in my brain. Yes I can move my date to (my window is until Aug. 7). I need to finish up the online tests and fitz before next week. no easy task as very busy weekend ahead.

I can change my date up until the wed. before the 12.

I'll let you know about the books when I get them....be sure to ask me again if i forget!

sounds like you have not taken the test yet either.

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Specializes in Family.

I would really have to say I prefer APEA. Amalie has a way of explaining things that make the concepts stick. I wrote a thank you email to her yesterday and by last night, Amalie , Jeannie (her assistant) and another person from APEA had all emailed me back congratulating me! I think she is very personable, in the past I have emailed a question or two and she is always on top of it. APEA also has fantastic antibiotic cheat cards and I highly recommend them! fantastic to have the information organized in that manner (and I am a person with an ipad and an android phone- this is just EASIER). Leik was very helpful on the review book, but the other two that I mentioned came with CD's and it got me used to the questions, the format and sitting for 150-175 questions at a time. Some times I could only do 25-50, but I had that option.....The reason that I also took APEA's quizzes online is because it put a little pressure on me to do well for an exam that I paid for. It give you nice feedback as well. which ever way you choose Fitzgerald or Hollier, I'm sure you will do well, it's just nice to have a little humor infused while you are spending so much time with the material, and it is less expensive.

As for your other question, yes you can delay your testing date, it will cost you though. Check out the websites information on rescheduling your exam. However, please remember that I was out of classes for 2 years! I really needed to get my act back together! Also- I had very little experience with anything but pregnant women and infants in my nursing career. I chose FNP to be well rounded and more marketable, but to still be able to work within my GYN population.

Set a date, commit to a study schedule (actually fill out a calender that you can look at each day), and go for it! You will not only keep yourself on track by knowing exactly what you covered and when, but what else you will still need to cover in your time remaining.

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Specializes in Family.

BTW- what city are you located in? Any chance NE ohio?

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Specializes in Family.

well, i just wanted to add another little note, i just took the exam on tuesday, i just checked the aanp website and my certification wallet card was up already! i am blown away. i printed it out and now i am filing for my state license!

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, Anesthesia, Education, etc..

That is sooo great! I am very happy for you. :hpygrp:

Makes me feel even better about choosing the AANP:[anb]:

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Specializes in ICU, Trauma, Anesthesia, Education, etc..
well, i just wanted to add another little note, i just took the exam on tuesday, i just checked the aanp website and my certification wallet card was up already! i am blown away. i printed it out and now i am filing for my state license!

i can't reply to private messages b/c i don't have enough posts:confused:

i live in connecticut, just outside of nyc

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CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!!

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I took AANP yesterday and FAILED!!!!!!!!!!!

I took review course, have the review CDs, bought Fitz pract prep book at review $60,

studied for weeks!!! Did 2 practice test!!!!

Questions were NOT like practice questions or review questions at all!

I'm Humiliated!!!!!!

Embarrassed also...I've been working already and have to tell them I can't now!

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Specializes in Hospitalist.

Is anyone interested in selling any of your review materials?

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