How long did it take to schedule your NP exam?

Advanced Practice Columnist / Guide · Jun 16, 2008

I am just wondering about this: I mailed in my application to take my ACNP exam two weeks ago today and have not heard back from them yet. How long did it take you to schedule your exam once you mailed in your application? I know they received my application ok because I saw that they already cashed in my check! :) lol

Which certifying board did you apply with, ANCC or AACN? I took the ANCC exam in 2004. The certifying board may have cashed the check but you don't get to schedule your test until the examining board have received all your documents including the official transcript of records from your NP program and the document that contains the actual hours of clinical practice you did as an ACNP student. These documents need to be mailed by your school. It is possible that your school has not sent these to the examining board you applied to.

marielouweezie · Jun 16, 2008

Hi! I sent my paperwork the end of FEB to the ANCC. They cashed my check 3-10. I got permission to test MAY 7!!!! (Yeah really!) I did start calling weekly at the 6 week mark and on May 6 found out my number to register over the telephone (the package came 2 days later). So, my advise is to call weekly and rest and try to relax until then!!! Best wishes.

DaisyRN, ACNP · Jun 17, 2008

if you read the very fine print on the ancc application it says they can take up to 6-8 weeks! so you're still okay... i think i got my auth to test within 2-3 weeks.

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 17, 2008

Which certifying board did you apply with, ANCC or AACN? I took the ANCC exam in 2004. The certifying board may have cashed the check but you don't get to schedule your test until the examining board have received all your documents including the official transcript of records from your NP program and the document that contains the actual hours of clinical practice you did as an ACNP student. These documents need to be mailed by your school. It is possible that your school has not sent these to the examining board you applied to.

I applied with ANCC. I know that my school sent the official transcripts and all the necessary documents, because I put them together once the school gave them to me. I know my application is totally complete, but I guess I am just impatient now to just take the test already! :) lol

Joan Z · Jun 17, 2008

I had all my stuff in the mail to ANCC on May 27 (having waited for my school to send me the page after graduation--that arrived Saturday afternoon of Memorial Day weekend). When I hadn't heard anything from the ANCC by last Thursday I called them and heard they received my application formally on June 4. So probably by tomorrow I should get the official acknowledgement, but getting to sign up for a test date is another 6-8 weeks away. It is frustrating since I would like to work (review isn't the same) but don't know that I can do much about it... In the meantime I am trying to enjoy summer as a vacation!

christvs, DNP, RN, NP · Jun 18, 2008

I think I am getting impatient to take the test because I have a big fear that I'm going to forget what I've reviewed if I have to wait too long to take it. I finished reviewing a lot of material so far: cardiac, pulmonary, endocrine, EENT, common problems in acute care like fever, pain, headaches, nutrition, fluids and lytes, acid-base, burns, bites, overdoses, health promotion, etc..and I feel like as I review additional material (like GU), I'm afraid I'm going to forget what I went over with cardiac. Crazy, I know! :) Anyone else have the same irrational fear as me? lol

johnson0424 · Jun 18, 2008

not irrational at all i made myself a schedule for each day i have free to study one system but then when i have to go over everything i will be a big stress case. i graduated may 3 and got my ancc paper in the mail june 10 so about a month from graduation and then i scheduled my test july 9..i took my fitz review in april so i try to listen to the cd's to keep myself up to date....

Joan Z · Jun 19, 2008

I don't think I'll forget stuff--I'm reviewing every day and listen to the CDs while traveling. What I really miss about the delay is that I'm not getting to spend the time with pts. I do also miss having a job--my employer-to-be calls regularly to find out when he might expect to see me.

Ren25, ACNP · Jun 19, 2008

Oh yes, they'll cash your check right away! I just took the ACNP exam in May and it took them the full 11 weeks to send my authorization. My friend got her authorization # over the phone a few days before she got it in the mail, so you might try calling every week or so.

As far as study advice, I waited to get my authorization to really start studying. I scheduled my test for 2 weeks after I got the authorization and studied almost every day. My friend, on the other hand, only studied for 4-5 days and did fine. Go figure! Also, I did the Fitzgerald review and a lot of the questions and topics she focused on were on the exam... I probably had about 10 questions I would not have been able to answer if I had not done that review. I'm sure you'll do great! Good luck!

joyrochelle · Jun 19, 2008

I don't think I'll forget stuff--I'm reviewing every day and listen to the CDs while traveling. What I really miss about the delay is that I'm not getting to spend the time with pts. I do also miss having a job--my employer-to-be calls regularly to find out when he might expect to see me.

I am in the same boat too!! I really didnt know how long it would take so I too anxiously told them I would be back to work ready for full time and already tested by June 23rd. Pah! Foolish me. :) I dont even have a test date yet.

He says it's fine if I come back or wait until after i test--- I can't decide what to do though!

I am thinking maybe going back a few days a week......

Anyway-- I am getting antsy! :eek:

johnson0424 · Jun 19, 2008

thanks for that. i scheduled my self 3 wks from the time i got my authorization...so i hope i do well i know my week points i.e. developmental milestones, pregnancy etc.