Help with FNP Boards

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Specializes in Post Partum, Nursery, Pediatrics.

I was wondering if I could get some advice with the FNP boards. I signed up for both the AANP and ANCC (mostly so I would have a backup, but I didn't really feel that I needed it). I took my AANP about a week ago and failed it. I have not received the breakdown of what I did wrong yet. I am scheduled for my ANCC test next week. I did the Hollier live review about a month ago and I scheduled the Walden one for this Friday.

I just really don't know where to go with my studying. I've been re-watching the Hollier videos and looking through the Leik book.. I do at least 100 practice questions from various sources each night and usually score in the 70s, which is also weird to me because throughout my program I mostly had all A's.

I never have had an issue with standardized tests before. I'm (usually) one of those annoying people that just naturally does well on tests. I was honestly pretty shocked that I failed.. I didn't feel good leaving the exam, but you never do. But going into it, I felt good with the material and even mastered some things that just would not click before.

Now I'm basically in a constant state of stress and I'm pretty psyched out about this next test after bombing the last one.

Also, I signed a contract months ago and I'm supposed to be beginning orientation in June, so that's adding a bit of pressure as well.

Any suggestions or people who have been in the same boat would be greatly appreciated.

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A lot of it is just what questions you happen to get. I was given Barkly CDs and had fitzgerald audio. My school required Hollier. Took my boards today, passed, and recognized many of the questions from Hollier course and Leik book. Maybe another set of test questions would benefit more from Barkley and Fitzg. material. You may find if you retake the AANP you might get more questions you are more familiar with. If you have been getting 70s mostly, you will probably pass the AANP if you tried again. I averaged 70s on my practice tests before taking boards today and felt like I knew about 70% of the board questions today. I think the practice questions are a good predictor of your success on boards. You have this. It seems that people that don't pass the first time, do pass the second time.

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Specializes in Post Partum, Nursery, Pediatrics.

Thank you, that makes me feel a lot better. I think I'm just building anxiety over the whole thing. I've been reading through some discussion posts on this and they said basically the same thing.. Hopefully my review class helps too but I'll just continue doing practice questions until next week.

And congratulations on passing!!

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I took my fnp boards a year ago April 6. With a fail a lot going on in my life my job and military I let it get in my head but I have rescheduled my boards. For this coming July I’m using FNP Mastery I was curious you said for more tips to message you

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Specializes in Psychiatric and Mental Health NP (PMHNP).

Took the AANP in 2017. I used the Barkley CDs and workbook and supplemented it with the Fitzgerald and Leik books. I also made a lot of flash cards. Passed on the first try. Good luck.

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APEA course was most helpful of the three- other 2 Fitzgerald and Barkley. APEA Hollier compared to other 2 was more energetic and entertaining keeping your attention. She also broke things down to a simpler level and uses clever mnemonics. The video course is set up so you can watch each one twice - which is about right. I do not know anything about FNP mastery though.

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I graduated in December 2018 and had some health problems that caused a delay in testing. I’m now scheduled for July to test with AANP and am just starting to study. I’m super nervous! I plan on doing Leik and Hollier. Making flash cards over Leik book. Any pointers are highly appreciated. Thanks.

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You may be a audio learner and could benefit from a CD course where you follow along with the book. I found someone selling Barkley's book and 18 CDs for dirt cheap on eBay. I got this to help me throughout NP school.

I am pretty impressed with Barkley and liek's book.

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