How did you pass the ANCC certification exam?

[beckyfnp]

I've heard Margaret Fitzgeralds stuff is the best but seems like ANCC's stuff would focus more on the test content. I just graduated with my MSN FNP and want to get certified on the first try. Any suggestions?

[mickey4]

mlajoy- when you say reciprocity, do you lose your original cert in exchange of the other.

For example, if I take AANP, and want ANCC, do I lose my credentials as NP-C and would have to use FNP-BC or can I use both?

[FNPGrad]

Reciprocity certification from the ANCC is in addition to your original certification. You don't lose anything.

[Kangoshi_]

Although I feel like I understand the BASIC differences between AANP and ANCC certification, I was wondering if anyone else had further info.

I recently passed the AANP and received notice I may sign as: NP-C

The ANCC allows a nurse practitioner to sign as NP-BC (board certified).

Now... does that mean if I paid for the ANCC reciprocity, that I would be able to write my name as "board certified"??

Is it really worth the hundreds of dollars they want?!?!?

[FNPGrad]

Whether it's worth it depends on you. The truth is, from what I've heard, it doesn't really matter to most employers which certification an NP has, as long as the NP is certified. Some employers (like the VA) want ANCC certification. In my area (Connecticut), many FNPs are certified by both bodies. I don't know why and I hear that it really doesn't make a difference, but, I want to be competitive, especially in a tough job market. I had one NP tell me that it shows "motivation" and ambition. I don't know if that's true or not.

The name writing goes like this:

ANCC certification:

Family nurse practitioner – FNP-BC

Adult nurse practitioner – ANP-BC

Example - Jane Doe, MSN, FNP-BC

AANP is NP-C

Example - Jane Doe, MSN, NP-C

Both certifications - Jane Doe, MSN, FNP-BC, NP-C

This is how M. Fitzgerald writes hers (she is from Massachusetts - neighbor of Connecticut) - Margaret A. Fitzgerald, DNP, FNP-BC, NP-C, FAANP, CSP

Not sure what "CSP" is exactly...

[greatgirl123]

It doesn't come out and say it. If you log in and look under "My documents" it will say something like, "Results Pending." I still have not heard anything :/ For those of you that have taken AANP before, how long before you received verification. Does anyone know of anyone who passed by preliminary results but actually failed?

Mistie

how soon after school did you take the exam??? how soon do you recommend

[mlajoy]

how soon after school did you take the exam??? how soon do you recommend

Unfortunately, that is a question that depends on the individual I graduated 5/24/10 and sat for the boards on 7/31/10. I was that individual who insisted on a well deserved vacation before I even began to pick up a book to start studying/refreshing. I took roughly 2 1/2 - 3 weeks before my exam to get through the Fitzgerald stuff (CDs & book)

You know yourself best, so the most appropriate advise is to do what feels best for YOU and you should be fine

Best of luck!

[newgrad13]

If you have time to study your final semester, you might want to file an early application (March/April) with a placeholder transcript. This option (you send your final transcript in with the conferred degree asap after graduation) would likely give you an authorization to test for the first week in June or so (and your window to test lasts for 90 days). With this option, when you are looking for a job in a tight job market it may show "confidence" to a prospective employer that you are already certified and tested immediately (just a thought).

[FNPGrad]

Ugggh! I think I am having a nervous breakdown! I take the AANP exam this Sunday the 22nd, and I am a total mess. I've listen to APEA and Fitz CDs, done practice tests using the Zerwekh computer CD (raised my score from 66-83%) and I've been going through Fitz' new review book. I just can't think anymore and I feel like I can't remember anything. I don't know what to do with myself for the next few days...more questions? more review? take a break? Should I take up drinking? *wine

I can't sleep...I can't eat (except for candy from midnight-2am). :sofahider

Any suggestions would be GREATLY appreciated!

A couple of questions...are you allowed to use "scratch paper" during the AANP exam? Can you have hard candy/mints? How early should I get there? Does it take the full 3.5 hours? I am seriously losing it! Should I postpone the date...again?

HELP! :sstrs:

[cameron46]

wow fnpgrad- your concerns appear to be somewhat anxiety based. its normal to have some intrepidation towards this experience- i had as well.

my best piece of advice in retrospect would be the following:

1. proper rest: make sure you obtain sufficient deep sleep the evening prior to your exam. your baseline is different than others & d/t the psychological strain its normal for your sleep to be somewhat less/interrupted. i was ok with about 5.5- 6 hrs sleep the night before.

2. relax & breathe: as fitzgerald states in her intro [p.16]: " i am breathing in 'self-confidence' and exhaling out my 'fear'".

i applied it once during the adult np exam & it worked.

the key is to recognize that an adaptive response is to be somewhat anxious and feel uncertain despite extensive preparation, but not to let that overtake you and diminish your potential performance. excessive anxiety may potentially inerfere with your ability to rationalize and apply acquired info in new situations that the exam will have.

3. expect the unexpected: following up on #2 above; although i wrote the adult np exam by ancc there was a fairly large component of questions (approx 25%) that were either totally foreign or vaguely familiar.

you will be in position to reason out what you do know and apply it in a situation that is new or remotely familiar. for instance although you may know what ethnic group may be most affected by a particular condition, a question may ask you for which group is least affected. within the same question (ex about hypertension or niddm) you may also be given anemia values where you have to know what's normal/ abnormal as well in order to narrow down your choice.

therefore in one question you are asked to solve 2 problems at the same time & in an order that is in reverse to how you normally think.

its not impossible - just remember to be logical and approach each question as its own exam & take a reasonalbe time with it. the good news is that there is a bunch of questions that you will readily know & can cross them off right away- which gives you more time for the harder ones.

4. format/ time: i would recommend doing all of the questions in the order given as you proceed with 1 minute per question. you need to stick to this in order to finish on time.

in terms of test centre regulations there may be minor differences i assume but re: my experience in relation to your questions.

1. arrival: you must arrive earlier than your test time.

for instance my exam time was 1330. i therefore arrived at 1300.

you will have to accomodate time for travel and/or parking and to arrive at the reception desk early.

if you are going to a large office with slow elevators - you will need a few extra minutes etc. mine was on ground level and 3 blocks from my loft- so a no brainer.

2. security: do not bring extra things as you have to lock up your stuff in a locker- including your watch etc. you have to sign out & in every time you go to the washroom. luckily mine was on the same floor and only about 15 ft away. i would recommed verifying the washroom location prior to your start time so that you are aware of where it is and may lessen any uncertainty. plus you will know the approximate time involved to incorporate a biobreak. i have more than enough time to leave the room twice.

3. gum/ mints/ candy: no gum is allowed at any as far as i know.

one of my colleagues was bold & 'cheeked' it but if the invigilators see you actively chewing (you are on camera) you may be forced to deal with the consequences. there was a waiver with instructions prior to starting the exam; chewing gum is an exam infraction- not fun if your'e caught; depending on if the exam invigilator wants to play robocop!

mints/ candy were allowed- but you had to take them out of the wrapper. they allowed me to take in one of my werther's candies in a kleenex that they supplied.

4. supplies:

a) scratchpad: they will provide 2 pencils with erasers & a little booklet with blank paper for your use. i only used about 1/3 of one page.

there was hardly any calcuatlations. i think i had to add up something once or twice but that was about it.

b) reference list: the ancc gives you a lab/reference booklet (approx 30 pgs). the questions focus on the main values. from extensive studying i knew the main ones by heart. they do not focus on any obscure values- not to worry. you can use the book to confirm or look up values if you need to. i used it about 5 times. however, the placement of some of the values did not appear logical in the refernce book. i can't recall exact details of course, but for ex. looking up an 'hdl' level, you would think to go to "h' or "l" for lipids but it may have been placed under "t" with the 'triglyceride' section. so i had to look around a little bit for it but was able to peruse quickly.

4. time: there is a 5-10 minute pc tutorial on how to navigate the screen. it took me about 4-5 minutes to do it. the pc is simple to use. you can put your hand up & a helper will see you on camera & come to your assistance.

you then have 3.5 hrs for the full exam. you can use a 'mark' button to identify questions that you need to review/ go back to at the end.

it is very user friendly. i finished with 57 minutes left over.

i started to review my 'marked' questions (30 marked out of 150- i'm in canada- so now experimental ques) but after about a dozen i thought forget this i;m done- plus you shouldn't really change after contemplating carefully anyways.

5. results: if you are in the us you will know right away if you pass i believe. your results follow-up in the mail with an official letter. perhaps you can have a close friend/ significant other to be available after your writing for support/ to celebrate depending on the outcome.

6. postponing: it wouldn't be wise/ appropriate for another individual to counsel you on that unless the details of your situation were more apparent. it is a personal decision that should be based on your particular circumstances.

although, if you are adquately prepared there is no point in putting off the inevitable. i;m not sure about the family exam, but for the adult; the medical was only 37 questions.

the ancc blueprint on the website lays this out. the majority of the questions were on areas of np practice that you can't reallly study for anyways: communication, team decision making, hc policy, research, ethics, culture etc that you know from being an rn/ grad school. however, your particular exam may be different.

hope this helps. remember you are an intelligent & capable individual otherwise you would not have come this far! it always works out in the end- some way or another.....best of luck.

[newgrad13]

Cameron46, great tips! FNPGrad, I'll be praying/rooting for you - let us know how it goes. You definitely sound ready - in my opinion, I would not want to "wait" longer because to me that equates to "more stress". Good sleep the night before is hard to come by so do whatever you can to relax -- it is easier said than done. I tried breathing techniques!

I took the ANCC exam, went through all of the questions once and had an hour and one-half to spare. I debated going back over the questions, but decided against it .... first answer is sometimes the best answer. Wow, I'm glad the exam is over, and I suspect you'll feel the same way!!! Best wishes!

[Blessedx3]

FNP Grad--what awesome advice you have been given. I will concur on the mints--they said you can go in with one in your mouth...I like the Werther's idea--those are big and last a while.

I take my exam in 4 months--but called yesterday trying to figure out which place to go to. During my NCLEX exam--there were planes constantly flying overhead... You have SIGNIFICANTLY raised your scores to mid 80's..it sounds like you are ready. I can't wait to see how well you do on Sunday.

Special prayers for peace and wisdom going your way!!

[FNPGrad]

Thank you so very much for your thorough and very reassuring response! I think that you just told me everything that I needed to hear. As a matter of fact, I cut+pasted your reply onto a word document and printed it (with colorful fonts) to put with my study materials. I truly love this site! I should have come here for support sooner :lvan:

It's funny how anxiety is vicious cycle...anxiety leads to lack of sleep which leads to "extra" caffeine that causes more anxiety and even less sleep...after 3 or 4 days, it messes with your mind.

I am going to focus on getting rest and rely a little on the 3+ years of school and endless weeks of studying I've already done to get me through the exam. Thanks again! :heartbeat