I passed my FNP-ANCC exam Feb 2022. How I prepped for it:

[Sunnyabsn, BSN, MSN]

Hey y'all!! 
So I just passed my FNP ANCC exam this Feb 2022!! I wanted to share my experience for people who are about to take it. I graduated with my FNP degree in Dec 2021. I was so burnout because I worked and went to school, had no social life, and mentally I was just done. I took a month off to give my brain and soul a break, I felt like I was going through a mental breakdown. I've been a nurse for 5yrs and loved everything about bedside nursing.. it wasn't until the pandemic that I started losing joy from my job. Our whole unit lost its morale, people felt unappreciated, so many friends began suffering from depression, etc. This affected me through my personal life as well. Never been diagnosed with depression or anxiety, but I was constantly sad. I would pass an exam with an A in FNP school, and not even feel proud of myself. I told myself that I'd work on my self-love and mental health before I took the ANCC exam. I wanted to feel confident personally and feel loved by myself first. Sounds weird, but not taking care of myself made me hate everything about life. So how could I provide care to my patients when I didn't even know how to do so myself? 
 

Most my classmates took their certification exam early, like a couple days after graduating in December. But I didn't care, I owed it to myself to finally be there for me. I did yoga, meditated, found new hobbies, spent time with family and friends. I used to make fun of people for saying "I was lost and now I'm found.” The real joke was on me, though! Haha. I'm so thankful to have taken that month off to basically find myself, bring back the joy that was missing from my life. Sorry for the rant, but I highly recommend prioritizing mental health while in school or you may feel lost and forget your true purpose, like me.

HOW I STUDIED: I studied for 2 weeks, consisting of 4-6hrs/day. I bought the $100 Sarah Michelle Crash Course and the Leik FNP Certification Intensive Review 4th ED. Because I took that month off, it took more work to get me focused on studying, which is why Sarah Michelle's crash course helped big time. She had videos for each body system, would tell you what to focus on knowing, provided  mnemonics, and other useful study tips. It really helped having someone guide me since I was feeling overwhelmed. Audio vs solo reading has always helped me retain info better. The Leik review book was absolutely amazing and the tips in the beginning chapters were fundamental in how I passed! The book offers an  ebook version and has 2 practice exams tailored to the ANCC exam and an additional 2 exams for the AANP exam. The ANCC is known to have SATA questions, point click, hot spot, and drag to match questions— all of which were in the Leik practice questions. It was amazing. I also reached out to a fellow FNP nurse on here who offered some study guides, which were also helpful. 
 

Good luck to you all!!

[barcode120x, RN, NP]

Congrats! I have 5 weeks of family med and I'm done with FNP school. Unfortunately, I have to wait until my semester ends on the 1st week of April before I can have any of my papers submitted but I'm looking to take my exam some time in May. I'll definitely look into Leik and Sarah Michelle. Thanks for the input.

[Mr_Hardy]

I take my exam this month as well. 

[kellyrose, BSN]

Congrats @Sunnyabsn!  Good for you for listening to what your body needed in that moment, and giving yourself time. ? Solid work!

[Ibarra_G]

Thank you for sharing your story, I take the ANCC exam later this month .

Thank you!

[Henry123]

I have seen the Sarah M on FB. I just purchased fitgerald.. I don't know if I made a right decision or not?

[sunflower775]

Thanks for your advice, I really believe managing one's mental health is crucial, especially after Covid-19. I recently finish my NP degree too and haven't had the motivation to begin studying for the boards. You mentioned Sarah Michelle's crash course was this all online? Congrats and thank you