I give up.. Failed Aanp three times

MICU_2015_FNP, MSN, APRN · Jun 21, 2015

First of all, I am so sorry to hear that happened. But I agree with some of the others who've posted already, DON'T GIVE UP!! You have come a long way to get where you are today.

What I've found to be helpful was listening to Barkley over and over again. I've listened to his CDs once, then reviewed the adult section first, made notecards, then the peds section, made notecards. And kept listening to my weaker areas over and over again on repeat.

Then I read through the Leik book, answered the questions in the back. Read through rationales of what I got wrong.

The day before the AANP, I took the practice test to help boost my confidence.

I had a great deal of test anxiety and needed to wake up and tell myself that I could pass before I went out to study.

Good luck to you. I really hope you find some hope and positive thinking to get through this!!

Theres some great tips on other forums

https://allnurses.com/student-nurse-practitioner/passed-ancc-fnp-993437.html

Wakes · Jun 22, 2015

I feel confident in knowing the information but I don't think I'm use to questions. I did the Fitzgerald live review, and have the book and cds for Barkley that I've done. I bought 50 practice exams off examedge to hopefully get use to the questions better and be more comfortable. Trying to stay positive.

CocoaLoverFNP · Jun 22, 2015

I feel confident in knowing the information but I don't think I'm use to questions. I did the Fitzgerald live review, and have the book and cds for Barkley that I've done. I bought 50 practice exams off examedge to hopefully get use to the questions better and be more comfortable. Trying to stay positive.

APEA's 1000 qbank questions and Leik questions (available via the app store) are the ones i used as practice tests. I passed last week :) and u will eventually pass too. Good luck!!!

Sent from my iPhone

vraci967 · Jun 23, 2015

When I took the Fitzgerald Live Review, Margaret mentioned that this test was all about Knowledge Acquisition. And after taking the test and passing it, I believe that is the truth. That being said, I believe you know the information but what you need to do is visualize yourself passing that test. See that handout with your name and the words, PASSED, underlined and in bold. And you'll see, you'll walk into the test center and own it. :)

For me, I used APEA test bank. I felt like the questions were the same difficulty as the test questions. So, I definitely recommend them. That being said, I only used them as a means to reinforce what I already knew or to point out areas that I needed to review. ExamEdge seemed to easy for me so I wasn't a fan of it. I also recommend the Leik book - reviewing the Exam Points and praying. A lot of prayer! I'll keep you in prayer but remember, the hard work is done. You graduated from Nursing school. You got this

NeldaFNP · Jun 25, 2015

I have a study plan that I used that I can send to you. But I can't send pm yet since I only have 11-12 posts. Btw what is a "quality post"? Can I just post or does it have to be something special?

The study plan requires at least 2-3 months, although I suppose you could do the first 2 months accelerated, all in one month. Then 1 month of more intensive study just before the exam. I used a Review course on CDs, and the Hollier and Leik, and a flashcard app called Brainscape (free). I was also working 24 hours a week, so I based the plan on someone working. I had signed up for a review course but felt ready so I took the exam before the review course.

Be sure you take the test questions several times (I did it four times) and keep track of what you get right or wrong. I knew I was ready when I was getting them right about 97% average.

n0111 · Jun 27, 2015

Thanks for your advice.

NeldaFNP · Jun 27, 2015

I agree with what you said, "I feel confident in knowing the information but I don't' think I am used to the questions." This is where the review books helped, I probably went over at least 3000 questions from four different sources. It helped me to get used to the testing technique and how they question.

elizabethlarson · Jun 30, 2015

I'm sorry that you are going through this...don't give up. I have severe test anxiety and took the ANCC only yesterday and passed. I was a 4.0 student and I have been a nurse for many years but none of that translates into being able to pass the exam. This is what I found for myself..there is SO much material in the review courses and while you definitely need that for practice, you need to really hone in on specific things for the exam. My recommendation would be to put the books aside...get a binder and spend a day printing out guidelines. Print the recommendations for screening, print out the ATP III Guidelines, Print out the JNC8 Guidelines and really know them. Although there were not direct questions saying "what do the guidelines say about this?"...there were many questions that made you go to the guidelines to determine if a result was normal or if the treatment plan was working. I would also focus on Pneumonia...forget about dosages of antibiotics which they push in the review courses (I took Fitzgerald, have Barkley's CD's and manual but I love Leik)....forget about dosing. I spent SO much time memorizing dosing for Pneumonia, dosing for EVERYTHING and it was a waste of time. But know which antibiotic would be best for each diagnosis...pneumonia, ear infection, prostatitis, etc. I would know that iron deficiency anemia is microcytic (and all microcytic anemias are hypochromic) and I would know B12 and Folic Acid deficiency are macrocytic anemias. I would keep it very basic. I would literally recommend you read the Leik book cover to cover and go through the exam tips. Forget the questions. I know people said it helped them. I did thousands of questions and there was not one question on the exam that was anything like the questions in the books. They were great practice BUT I would spend hours reading them and looking things up and I should have just focused on the simple things...hypertension, dislipidemia. Know know know...which antibiotics you would prescribe for PCN patients and then know that ACE Inhibitors are for Diabetics who are hypertensive. They asked this on my exam 5 different ways at least!

I am taking the AANP tomorrow because I signed up for both exams just in case (LOL) but I don't want to waste the money and I am very curious to know the difference. You can do this but I think you may be like I was when I started studying....all over the place and overwhelmed by the material. If you can get a study partner, get one. It helps to have someone to talk to...or "teach". If you can teach it, you definitely know it.

Good luck..keep at it and don't beat yourself up. My email is bethlarson67@gmail and I would be happy to offer any help I can.

Chickz_77 · Jul 1, 2015

So sorry to here that because I know all to well how you feel. I have failed the ANCC exam twice and the last time by 3 points but I will not give up. First of all, God has brought me too far to leave me and secondly because this is my passion so that drives my determination all the more. I will be sitting for the AANP in August and I'm trusting God to see me through it and I will pass. You have got to already see yourself passing and leave the past in the past. It's impossible to go forward looking backwards "Rear view mirror syndrome" is what I like to call it. I will use Fitzgerald, Hollier, Barkley and Leik to prepare. I will also be attending a Live review course with Hollier of which I didn't do the last time. We can do this and do it all through Jesus Christ. Phil 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me"! I'll be looking for your success story because I believe God's going to do it for you.

Chickz_77

elizabethlarson · Jul 1, 2015

I wanted to reply to my previous post. I took the AANP today, after taking the ANCC exam on Monday and I passed both of them on the first try. I liked the AANP exam much better than the ANCC but from a clinical standpoint it was MUCH MUCH more challenging. What I mean is that the ANCC had so much material on it that I felt I could answer just having years of nursing experience under my belt but the ANCC required a different level of knowledge...you had to assimilate information. I have to say that I have Fitzgerald, Barkley and Hollier's review materials and I will say again that those who are struggling..."Put all the other information away...literally back on the bookshelf and sit down and KNOW Leik's material". I swear she must have written some of the exam questions because in her exam tips when she says to know something, I found much of that on the exam. I also had at least 5 questions on classes of heart failure so I would review that material. I think what happens to so many people on the boards is that they study too broadly..if I had to do it over again, looking back, I would have picked one really good resource and stick with it. I personally don't feel the practice questions helped...you aren't going to get those questions and you just need to know the material so you can think it through. If you have to pick between reading more of Leik and doing questions, READ her stuff and internalize it and I guarantee that you will do fine.

MICU_2015_FNP, MSN, APRN · Jul 6, 2015

I think you meant to write AANP for one of your comments so just wanted to clarify...

Did you think the AANP required you to assimilate information more than the ANCC or the other way around??

And I agree with your advice. Its better to stick with just one review rather than looking through all other resources. Leik was a great resource for boards. I personally took the Barkley review and it was a great overview of what I learned in school.

nik6 · Jul 11, 2015

Well, I feel your pain. I have failed the AANP twice and ancc once. I will sit for the ancc again next month. I've done everything: Fitzgerald, APEA, Exam Edge, bought practice exams from both certification bodies. Now, I purchased Leik for my Kindle.

My last AANP attempt was yesterday. I was honestly surprised that I didn't pass. I felt confident. Will be interested to see my score. My ancc exam, I scored a 347....3 points away. Close, but no cigar. I feel that the exams are not 100% entry level material.

So....what to do.....keep pushing. I'm thinking about getting some CDs, but I'll have to buy a CD player! Fitzgerald offers mp3 courses, but that's another $400.

I know my stress level plays a huge role in my not passing. If I take a benzo, I'll fall asleep. I pray and take a break every 50 questions or so.

I cannot give up. I could work as an FNP today, but that darn exam. So, right now I need to find a job (part of my stress) to help pay for my retakes of the FNP and study materials.

Good luck my dear! I will keep you in my prayers!!!!