I failed the PNP-AC exam again!

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I have taken the PNP-AC exam twice and was unsuccessful. I'm not sure what I'm doing wrong when it comes to my studying. I read all of Lipincott and did ALL of the questions, bought the PNCB questions, statPearls, notes. Does anyone have any suggestions or words of wisdom? I passed my PNP-PC boards but this Acute care has made be lose every bit of confidence I had. 

PNP-AC2023 said:

I was reading the responses and I am still not sure how will pass this test. I failed and did all Lippincott, PNCB, and the NAPNAP review.  I just new I was ready for the test but guess I wasn't. I have no drive to study and don't even know where to begin. Anyone has any suggestions

You're not alone ! Quite a few of us are struggling with the same. We are also at a loss and have done everything you mentioned as well. 

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☹️ This is so sad. I can't give up but my brain is done

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Specializes in PNP-AC.

Welp- I'm in the same boat; I have now failed the AC PNP exam twice! I have done the lippincott review book, read the pertinent chapters in the Reuter- bolick textbook, done all the pncb drill quizzes multiple times, done over 700 stat pearls questions , did the online NapNap review course twice! This second time around I really felt like wow. Maybe I needed this... concepts and approaches are sticking more naturally. I felt as if I was truly understanding the thought process behind assessment, mgmt, and diagnoses. I went in nervous but very hopeful and still confident I could be successful my second time around. Unfortunately and gut wrenching- the last screen says failed attempt! I'm at a loss. And I'm even more devastated that there are little to NO resources out there for AC PNP certification prep. Why does the PNCB have such mediocre pass rates for this exam? And offer no support or remediation or resources?
Some folks have said I should take an exam taking strategy course... I'm open to it and will look into such. 

anyone have words of wisdom- I can use them ??❤️‍?

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pumpkin13 said:

Welp- I'm in the same boat; I have now failed the AC PNP exam twice! I have done the lippincott review book, read the pertinent chapters in the Reuter- bolick textbook, done all the pncb drill quizzes multiple times, done over 700 stat pearls questions , did the online NapNap review course twice! This second time around I really felt like wow. Maybe I needed this... concepts and approaches are sticking more naturally. I felt as if I was truly understanding the thought process behind assessment, mgmt, and diagnoses. I went in nervous but very hopeful and still confident I could be successful my second time around. Unfortunately and gut wrenching- the last screen says failed attempt! I'm at a loss. And I'm even more devastated that there are little to NO resources out there for AC PNP certification prep. Why does the PNCB have such mediocre pass rates for this exam? And offer no support or remediation or resources?
Some folks have said I should take an exam taking strategy course... I'm open to it and will look into such. 

anyone have words of wisdom- I can use them ??❤️‍?

Your not alone! You, me, and many other great RNs are all struggling with the exact same thing. We have done it all! I don't doubt we know the information. I feel this exam does not define you just pretty much how well of a test taker you are. I know I can't give you any words of comfort but just know your not alone !

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Specializes in PNP-AC.

Thank you for your kind message. I wish there was more out there as far as resources for this exam! please be in touch if you find something that works

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Specializes in PNP- AC.

Very tough exam. Agree it is largely due to test taking vs not knowing the information. I failed my first attempt (scheduled to take my second attempt soon). However, I wanted to share what resources were recommended to me by some friends who did pass. Obviously did all of the PNP-AC review items listed previously on this post- NAPNAP review course lectures and questions, PNCB practice tests x2 and drill x1, statpearls, the lipincott certification review textbook with the questions online.

The additional things recommended to me that I have found very helpful...

1. Cases in Pediatric Acute Care Textbook by Andrea Kline (for doctors, but very very helpful. Present the info in case studies. Then ask questions like what are your differential diagnoses, what tests/labs would you order, etc. etc.). Good way to get the information in a different format and have you thinking like the questions will be on exam

2. "Two Peds in a Pod" podcast on spotify. It is 2 pediatric doctors who talk about different topics to help doctors on their boards- but it is literally the same information. They have tons of podcasts and lots are very helpful (ID, antibiotics, HUS, etc.). Again, provides a lot of the same info but in a different way that is very helpful. Also nice to be able to turn it on, go for a walk, and absorb the content without sitting inside staring at another study guide or practice questions.

 

Hope these help yall and help me pass my exam round 2! :) 

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Specializes in PNP-AC.

Thank you so much for commenting on this post! I will look into both of your recommendations, I have also been told to practice case studies. And I very much like the idea of listening to a podcast in-between studying time like while driving! 

I just ordered the Nelson Pediatrics Board Review: Certification and Recertification book; and will be trying this one as well. 

BEST of luck on your next go at this exam!! 

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Specializes in RN.

Hi! I was wondering if you could share your timeline from graduation and board exams attempts. I am about to retake my exam and starting to question myself - if taking 2 months from my 1st attempt is enough time or should I push it out longer?

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Specializes in PNP-AC.

@TxJaxB Hello! For reference, I did my first attempt as soon as I was approved to take it after graduating and getting clearance and making the appt ...(I studied for about 4 weeks)

IN my experience, we had a mandatory 90 days between each testing attempt so the second time was right around that mark for me. 

and for the third was a little longer than the 90 days.. I would say 90 days + 2 additional weeks. Basically I got between 8-12 weeks of studying on my latter attempts. 

Are you able to retest within 90 days? 

Regardless... I would focus on your ability/ knowledge/ confidence in the material and not so much the time frame. It's better to be over prepared than under prepared. 

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Specializes in RN.
pumpkin13 said:

@TxJaxB Hello! For reference, I did my first attempt as soon as I was approved to take it after graduating and getting clearance and making the appt ...(I studied for about 4 weeks)

IN my experience, we had a mandatory 90 days between each testing attempt so the second time was right around that mark for me. 

and for the third was a little longer than the 90 days.. I would say 90 days + 2 additional weeks. Basically I got between 8-12 weeks of studying on my latter attempts. 

Are you able to retest within 90 days? 

Regardless... I would focus on your ability/ knowledge/ confidence in the material and not so much the time frame. It's better to be over prepared than under prepared. 

Thank you! I have done everything you have done and have made it halfway through NAPNAP a second time. I feel like I'm hearing things repeatedly but it's not sticking. I have gone to writing out my notes this round and have accumulated a second binder full. I have a timeline in my head bc of hearing "the farther out you retest the less of your chance of passing". So that is the main reason why I am wanting to retake it sooner than later. I ran out of time my first attempt. I was not paying attention to my time until it was too late. 

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Specializes in PNP-AC.

I agree NAPNAP online review.. was a bit basic.. and I was disappointed that the questions and content stays the exact same; (I had to buy it twice.. bc it had expired). I was hoping for new material when I had done NAPNAP for my second and third times. 

But I did stay engaged in those videos and use it as one of my tools. 

I suggest hammering down on your content. You should know diagnosis/ assessment and management for all of the major diagnosis that come up in NAPNAP. I used the recommended textbooks, NAPNAP, Osmosis videos, lippincott, quizlet, and of course the PNCB drills. On quizlet, Search AC PNP or any of those types of titles and you will actually find a lot of study cards. I would make myself answer or speak to each topic out loud before flipping the card. It was great practice. 

I almost ran out of time on my final attempt, and was pretty close on my others.... just hang in there stay focused and if your hung up> flag and move on. 

 

hang in there, its a rigorous test! you can do it. don't rush to take it, I would be confident in your knowledge before going in. 

you got this!

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Specializes in pediatric acute care.

Does anyone remember their first attempt score? I got a 398 my first attempt and a 400 is passing. I have been studying the lippincott book rigorously. I've redone the 3 PNCB practice tests, the lippincott questions after the chapters and online. I test again in 3 days. I am sick reading this thread 😭🤢 I didn't find NAPNAP review as a good source as that was what I primarily used my first attempt long with STAT pearls questions. I guess I'm just wondering if anyone has been literally 1-2 questions away from passing their first attempt, studied more, and then failed AGAIN. I've gone through almost the entire lippincott book and made flash cards on Quizlet on all major chapters as well.

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