Just curious. I found out that some of the well-respected and knowledgeable ICU nurses I know who attended the ACNP program at Emory University had to take the boards several times before passing.
Just how hard are the NP boards? :uhoh21:
Any suggestions on studying/preparing/passing them? What about securing a job before passing? I'm more than happy to maintain my RN job until passing the boards and interviewing for jobs. I would definitely be embarrassed (just a personal issue) to fail the boards several times after starting with a practice as an NP orientee.
P.S. I'm currently an FNP student, if that makes any difference.
Congrats Porkchop!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I graduate this June and will hopefully be taking my ACNP exam in July. Congrats again!!!! Do you know where you want to work?
Specializes in primary care, pediatrics, OB/GYN, NICU.
Did any of you take the Margaret Fitzgerald course? Did you find it helpful? I'm trying to decide whether to do the Fitzgerald course in Los Angeles or the Barkley assoc course in Seattle after I graduate in June. Any thoughts, opinions? Which would you recommend?
Did any of you take the Margaret Fitzgerald course? Did you find it helpful?
I thought the Fitzgerald course was incredibly helpful. It gives you the "need to know" stuff, but also helps you in your practice. There was no fluff or wasted material. Everything presented was vital to know. The course was well-organized (which helped me to retain the material).
Yes i have taken the amelie hollier at home study cd with the review questions, and the fitzgerald review book.... im stressing out i have decided to take the test on the 18th of april and im nervousss!!! if anyone can give tips on the exam it will be helpful, im taking the FNP AANP test. im excited and nervous at the same time....
Well, this thread has just re-inforced my fear of failure. I'm about two thirds done with the FNP program and I'm passing by the skin of my teeth. I am not a good test taker and have not do well on any tests I've taken during the entire program.
My grades have been kept up by papers, assignments, etc. I'm am scared to death to take the boards and after reading this thread, I'm even more scared!
I am not stupid and can easily problem solve for anything with the use of resources, but I have difficulty knowing information just off the top of my head. It just all seems like too much to process.
I will definatly be taking some of these review programs!
I also heard good things about the Fitzgerald review courses and am taking the ACNP one in Burlington, Mass this May. I can't believe I'll be taking that test in just about 4 months!!!!!
is there anyone else who can recommend or give us advice about the AANP FNP certification i have less than 2 months to go im getting real nervoussss!!!! ???!!!! thanks all the help is appreciated:)
Well, I took the adult AANP certification exam several months ago. To prepare, like a previous post mentioned, I used a couple of different sources. My main content review was from Fitzgerald , which I highly recommend. It didn't take me long to go thru all of their sample test questions, so I used other review books for practice questions.
Everyone prepares differently, but I would advise to go through as many test questions as you can. Because some obscure topic may pop up.
As for the exam itself, it wasn't bad at all, only a few questions were asking on content I had no idea, but most I knew. They also give lab norms which helped.
Then at the end, you know if you passed or failed based on a prelim. result.
I would like to recommend Marye Kellermann's "Necessary NP" review course. She is awesome, hilarious, and uses lots of methods to teach the necessary content to help you pass boards. The course has a money back guarantee, so if (God forbid) you don't pass the first time, you get a full refund. Not a bad deal! Also, you can take the course, and then repeat it for only $100 if you do it within 6 months. That is what I'm doing. I just took it, and I'm taking it again in March. I graduate from my FNP program in May. I just can't say enough good things about that course.
Hi-I just wanted to post on here again. I graduated from my ACNP program in June, and took and passed my ACNP exam on July 31st. I used study material from Barbara Todd, Sally Miller, and also Dr. Barkeley-and thought all 3 were very helpful for studying for the exam. For those of you who haven't taken your NP exams yet: please don't panic if you hear of others who did not pass their exam. Everyone is different, and you can't think negatively. Just think about how much you do know. you can do it.
christvs, DNP, RN, NP
1,019 Posts
Congrats Porkchop!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I graduate this June and will hopefully be taking my ACNP exam in July. Congrats again!!!! Do you know where you want to work?