Help did not pass the ANCC

Cardiology EP NP · Dec 7, 2009

That's interesting Bchapp. With questions on billing and research and whatever else we are asked (besides clinical questions), it makes one wonder, how is one supposed to really prepare for this exam?

I am going in just a few hours to take the ANCC ANP exam and I feel like I've exhausted all of my brain cells with mostly clinical information. I did review ANA standards and code of ethics as wells as billing stuff too. We'll just see how it goes!

Cardiology EP NP · Dec 8, 2009

So...I too the ANCC ANP test today and I PASSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoo!!!!!!!! Such a great feeling to be over and done with this process! I thought the test was fairly difficult, but nevertheless I got through it with God's help. I had a million people praying for me.

I agree with some of previous posters that the test didn't cover enough clinical information that we learned in school and I'm really not sure why that is. But, I'm just glad it's over! :yeah:

pedspnp · Dec 8, 2009

cograts way to go what did you you use for study resourse i take my pnp exam next week have studied feel i kow the material but freaked out becuase I felt I should be studyig 8 hours a day

Cardiology EP NP · Dec 8, 2009

I wouldn't get discouraged. I'm not sure it's a matter of how long you are studying per day, but more to do with the content of the material you are studying.

Now, I took the ANP exam, not the PNP exam so I can't speak specifically for that test. But, for the ANP exam, I basically used Fitzgerald's materials. I attended her live class and read through her review book multiple times. I also used the Leik book as well as the Zerwek book. I have to say that I studied like a maniac, getting my hands on everything I could and making sure I knew my stuff backwards and forwards. But, I had time, because I have only been working part time due to preparing for the exam.

I would find out what other posters who took the PNP exam had to say and find out how they studied for the exam. Oh yea, and something else, the ANCC puts up practice exams on their web site. That was helpful to me as well. Hope that helps! Good luck and let us know how it goes!!

pedspnp · Dec 8, 2009

thanks I have been using 2 review manuels, and a on line test prep, on the on line test prep I have been getting 90% on the review books about 85% everyone one keeps telling me I will be fine just test anxiety pleaase 12/16 get here and be done

Cardiology EP NP · Dec 8, 2009

NP2b, if you are averaging 90% on the practice exams, then you are doing very well! I know how it feels to sit and wait to take this test. It's hard not to think about it, but sometimes you just have to step away from the studying for a few hours. It was very hard for me to do that. So much so, that when I actually sat down to take the test, I was extremely tense and it was difficult for me to focus aside from the fact that my brain was completely fried. I empathize with how you feel though. And don't worry, December 16th will be soon enough and it will all be over with!

pedspnp · Dec 8, 2009

NP2b, if you are averaging 90% on the practice exams, then you are doing very well! I know how it feels to sit and wait to take this test. It's hard not to think about it, but sometimes you just have to step away from the studying for a few hours. It was very hard for me to do that. So much so, that when I actually sat down to take the test, I was extremely tense and it was difficult for me to focus aside from the fact that my brain was completely fried. I empathize with how you feel though. And don't worry, December 16th will be soon enough and it will all be over with!

Thanks I did walk away while my daughter was getting ready to graduate from Officer training school for 5 days we took a mini vacation so nowI am worried about the exam since I have not cracked a book in 4 days but I usualluy hit the books for 3-4 hours a day plus the on line review I just want to be free

peaceful · Dec 9, 2009

Congratulations Helper! How awesome to have reach this milestone in your career.

Cardiology EP NP · Dec 9, 2009

Thank you peaceful! Yes, it is a HUGE milestone and I am so very grateful to God that He has allowed me to come this far. It's such a relief to finally be done!

Dixiecup · Dec 12, 2009

I will be taking the ANCC ANP exam in just two short days!! And I am really nervous. Anybody have any words of wisdom. I've studied for the past three months and now I am just reviewing some possible weak areas. Out of curiousity, what would you rate the difficulty of the exam at? Was it easier than the NCLEX?
Thanks!

maybe it's just me but I would think three months would be overkill on the studying. i would be afraid I would forget the first part of what i studied or try to retain so much info I would get all mixed up. i think i will try for 2-3 weeks max and hope it's close enough to the test to stick.

allnurses Guide · Dec 12, 2009

I took a review course right after graduation in mid-May, and took my test the first week of July. That gave me enough time to do a couple of hours of studying a day and still have free time before I started working. I think that 7-8 week time frame worked very well.

Cardiology EP NP · Dec 12, 2009

Yes, three months was definitely overkill but part of the problem was that I didn't know when I would actually be taking the test. I started studying back in september but I thought I would be taking my test in October, but then because the ANCC took forever in getting back to me on my test eligibility, my test date got delayed until December so that was why I was stuck studying for so long. I wouldn't recommend it. It really wore me out.

If I had to do it again, I would study for 4 weeks max. I know a lot of people work full time while they are studying and that's why I think most people take 6 weeks to prepare. I have been working only part time, so I was able to put in a lot of hours studying per day. And it paid off in the end because I passed. Good luck and let us know how it goes!!