How I passed ANCC Psychiatic Mental Health NP Exam

[MLGDNP12]

Hey everyone,

I've been away for a while. Why? Well because I decided to get my certificate in Psych Mental Health NP. I was serving a population that had such a high rate of patients with psychiatric disorders that I wasn't comfortable treating unless I had the proper training. So I went back to school and sat for my ANCC boards a month ago and passed. I wanted to share my resources with you for those who may be studying for their Psych NP boards.

1) I used the ANA Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing: Scope and Standards of Practice book. This book helped me to review everything about how an PMHNP practices. All the law, ethics, etc.

2) ANA PMHNP Review and Resource manual. It really helped me to study the specific areas that would be on the test. This is a very important resource for all those studying for this exam. Dont miss out on it!

3) Fitzgerald Psych Mental Health NP Exam Review. I love everything Fitzgerald. And to be honest I felt as if so much of the review was on the exam. I literally listened to this audio recording and read this manual in and out for an entire 6 weeks. This is a very valuable resource

4) I did buy the ANCC test question bank. It was great to test my general knowledge of the content. I figured that they make the test, why not study the test questions. I wrote down all rationals to questions I got wrong.*

5) I also did buy some extra test question from Exam Edge, like I did with my FNP. They are good practice questions, but I wouldn't recommend buying more than a bundle of 5 because the questions seemed to repeat themselves after that. But good practice with answering questions. I did use that same discount code from when I used it years ago that seem to not expired interestingly and got like 10-15% off. That code is SAVE-SLLT.

These are all of the resources that I used to pass this exam the first time. The exam is tough and no joke. I literally was sweating through the entire 4 hours. But if well prepared everyone should do well. If you are looking for the Fitzgerald review material please inbox me. I still have and willing to sell.*

Good luck everyone!

[Oldmahubbard]

I have to disagree. By far the most difficult part of this test was the requirement of getting a passport, and getting certified copies of my transcripts.

When I took it in 2007, the typical question was- which drug is more likely to cause weight gain? Wellbutrin or Zyprexa?

I resent the time I spent studying.

In my opinion, it was not difficult enough to protect the public from quacks.

I wish the OP well. It could be the exam has changed greatly.

But when I took it, it was a total joke. An easy test, for knowledge at the RN level.

[Jules A, MSN]

I have to disagree. By far the most difficult part of this test was the requirement of getting a passport, and getting certified copies of my transcripts.

When I took it in 2007, the typical question was- which drug is more likely to cause weight gain? Wellbutrin or Zyprexa?

I resent the time I spent studying.

In my opinion, it was not difficult enough to protect the public from quacks.

I wish the OP well. It could be the exam has changed greatly.

But when I took it, it was a total joke. An easy test, for knowledge at the RN level.

I suspect it was difficult for OP because they have no psychiatric RN experience. I also thought it was too easy. I only had maybe 6 medication questions most of it was...you guessed it nursing fluff.

[lwsoccjs]

I will preface my remark with I am not a PMHNP. I originally thought of going into the field and practiced as a behavioral health nurse prior to FNP school so I have some experience granted not a lot in the field. Now that is out of the way I would have to agree with Oldahubbard and Jules on this one. Having just looked at the ANCC PMHNP sample questions on their site I must say they are a joke. Most are common sense interviewing questions, first line therapy for Bulima, knowing difference between primary/2nd/ tertiary interventions and really medication questions aimed at the lowest denominator. Another sample is the company "pocket prep" that makes sample review questions. I will use their standard as a baseline because they are popular and have many different specialty's they also cover so I can compare their rigor against topics I am familiar with. I recently downloaded the app to see what additional information I am missing in a generalist programs vs something more focused especially in psych pharmacology that I may or may not have been exposed to. But unfortunately the questions usually go something like this. Patient X blah blah blah blah blah ( clinical scenario describing psychosis or delusional thinking) now what is most appropriate. Choices: alprazolam, prozac, ECT, or olanzapine. Next sample, patient presents with psychosis, dry mouth, restless and tachy (not including everything to avoid including full question). But basically suggesting anticholinergic intox; I had to choice amongst etoh withdrawal, benzo intox, etc. I don't know what the answer is to our current state of affairs but it is worrisome. I have no intent on taking the exam so I will never know what it truly is like so I acknowledge that. But, I have a very strong feeling that many healthcare professionals with a month of cramming could probably pass this test without the schooling. Now we as a self governing profession need to ask ourselves this. Do we want any healthcare professional or really anyone with a month or two of time to cram and a basic knowledge set to practice as a provider? This is not exclusive to the PMHNP test so please don't confuse my words I am not judging one specialty over another. I am making a blanket statement as I've said in the past that the NP exams are weak. They do not protect the public. Finally, I am tired of everyone that uses the exam as their main defense when the topic that NP school is easy comes about. They will argue that yeah NP school might not be the hardest but the test prevents the "slackers" from practicing. I just feel and I am sure many would agree that is just not true.