I prepared myself for months for the boards. I've read the sweatbook a total of 5 times! The memory master for a total of 2! I felt ready and prepared to take the exam and I did take it yesterday. Did I have anxiety? Sure. Some, but not a whole lot. That right there told me deep inside that I was ready. But I wasn't prepared for the HARD questions that hit me during the course of the exam.
The first couple of questions were OK. I obviously missed a simple question that I should've known the answer to (it was a calculation question). A brief moment of brain fart I thought to myself. But, I was OK with it and moved on.
The questions got tougher and thougher I thought. The fact that, I was trying to answer some of them through process of elimination (you know, like well A and B are totally wrong, so its between C and D...).
Then, as the test progressed....just like the energizer bunny...it kept going and going and.....
Past question 93 and I was still at it. My heart sank and my confidence got knocked out of me. I started to panic a bit. "How much time have I lost...do I have enough time to finish?". I stopped and took a deep breath. I told myself to GET A GRIP and FOCUS.
The questions..."Where in the world did these questions come from?" From what I recall through the exam...most of the questions I was asked involved plenty of anatomy & physiology. Sure, I did get an easy question here and there, like the simple flow volume loop diagram. But, as soon as I breezed through a question or two like it, the hard questions came. And there were a lot of em! Now, I tried to rationalize...telling myself that, "Well, if most of the questions were hard....then I must've been doing OK. At least the computer was "adapting" to my capacity to answer these HARD questions. And if I was doing really badly, then my questions would've been easier and easier...OR it could've easily stopped at 90 something. CAN IT STOP AT ANY NUMBER ABOVE 90? Does anyone know?
So, I answered ALL 160 questions and tried my very best yesterday. I was emotionally run down and drained of all emotions. I was a zombie, trying to drive back to my house which was an hour away. Thoughts of failure came to my mind. People that were counting on me to pass...HUMILITY that may come after I get my results.
But, after waking up this morning from a BAD HANGOVER, I realised that nothing can really prepare you for an exam such as this one that is so unpredictable. Sure, the sweatbook helped. But in my opinion, the memory master didn't. I would advise those who will be taking this exam in the future to supplement your readings outside of the sweatbook and memory master. Sure, I tried supplementing my studies by reading M&M, but not thoroughly. That is my own fault. I take full responsibility for my successes and failures. And if I fail this one, then IT IS JUST A SETBACK. If I get knocked off this horse, then I'll just get up and get on it again. That's why they call it "School of Hard Knocks".
It's out of my hands now. The waiting begins. Between now and the day the fed ex man comes, I will hit the books and start reading once again. This time, I'll start with Morgan & Mikhail.
Goodluck to all who have and will take the board exam.
I believe a candidate who unfortunately fails the exam 4 times can only retake the exam that many times a year according to the AANA. But, there is no time limit in between.
Nope, haven't heard yet. They say within 4 weeks. Although some have gotten their results in 2 weeks. I'll keep you guys posted no matter what the outcome is.
Well folks, the wait is over. I didn't make the cut. As soon as I got my results and found out that I didn't make it, I immediately re-sent my application to retake the exam (that'll put my retake date around mid October).
I would like to thank all of those folks who wished me goodluck and who offered their emotional support as I waited for my results. I am actually OK with it. Like I said, "it's a small set-back." I'm not as devastated as one would expect. I think grieving right after the exam for a few days helped alleviate the effect of having to deal with the bad news when I opened the fed-ex envelope today :wink2: .
It's back to the drawing board. The second time's a charm
A friend of mine asked me this evening why I would even consider posting that I failed the exam on this board. So then I told her, "Well, it's because I'm not ashamed to admit I failed at something." And that, "Humility is a good thing to have." I could only hope that someone may learn from my experience. No matter what aspect of my life that may be.
I could easily dwell on the "Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda". And the "If only...." But, life's too short. Things could be worse. It's only an exam, I told her. I'll take it again, like the 10-15% of people who fail it every year. Sure, I'm disappointed. But who wouldn't be? I'm just better equipped in handling this bump on the road than say, someone who had a lot riding on this exam. I'm very thankful to be able to have the chance to re-take it again and not be pressured by outside sources. I'm thankful that my future employer's business manager was very supportive on the phone today, telling me that, "You're not the first one to not make it on this exam. There have been a lot before you." Now, who could ask for a better manager than him? :wink2:
Thanks again folks for offering your well wishes and goodlucks.
I'll pop in from time to time, until I re-take the exam again.
never take for granted the accomplishments you have achieved in such a rigorous and most demanding program and profession.
no one can take that away from you, ever.
it's just a matter of time before this last hurdle is achieved. we all have faith, and only hope that those of us who are striving to be in your shoes someday are as strong and humble.
i, for one, don't usually make posts like such, but i am coming to terms each and every day of my program to what it means and takes to be an anesthetist.
I am so sorry for your news. You don't know me but I've been rooting for you in the background! I am in my first year, which I am repeating from the very beginning, because I made an 81 in a class. It is painful to feel like you have not achieved a particular goal, especially when you have worked so hard. Although our circumstances are different, (you retaking the boards and me retaking two semesters worth of classes), I think both of us in the end are winners for getting our you know what's up off the floor, dusting it off, and going after it again. You WILL pass, and we all appreciate that you were not afraid to share your experiences with us. Who knows how many people you have helped by doing that!
I am so sorry for your news. You don't know me but I've been rooting for you in the background! I am in my first year, which I am repeating from the very beginning, because I made an 81 in a class. It is painful to feel like you have not achieved a particular goal, especially when you have worked so hard. Although our circumstances are different, (you retaking the boards and me retaking two semesters worth of classes), I think both of us in the end are winners for getting our you know what's up off the floor, dusting it off, and going after it again. You WILL pass, and we all appreciate that you were not afraid to share your experiences with us. Who knows how many people you have helped by doing that!
I am so sorry for your news. You don't know me but I've been rooting for you in the background! I am in my first year, which I am repeating from the very beginning, because I made an 81 in a class. It is painful to feel like you have not achieved a particular goal, especially when you have worked so hard. Although our circumstances are different, (you retaking the boards and me retaking two semesters worth of classes), I think both of us in the end are winners for getting our you know what's up off the floor, dusting it off, and going after it again. You WILL pass, and we all appreciate that you were not afraid to share your experiences with us. Who knows how many people you have helped by doing that!
Take care and best wishes,
Deb
Hey there,
I appreciate the kind comments. I have gotten other private messages already from others that I have helped, one way or another through my experiences throughout this past 2 years. Whether it be through school related issues, to personal ups and downs while in school.
I am quite satisfied with the cards I have been dealt. For I know that it's only temporary. I'm disappointed, but NOT DEVASTATED. I just sent my application to retake the exam and had just talked with the AANA rep in Illinois, confirming that he had received it.
It's funny...reading M&M half-way already...all the information I've been reading are freshly ingrained in my head as I've been studying almost non-stop for months it seems. So, it's quite easier to study again this time around. I'm focused more on certain aspects of anesthesia that I recall from my previous exam, where I was obviously weak on and I will have a better plan of attack (so to speak) for the second round.
On the up side, I'll be starting my job at the Pain Clinic on Monday as an NP. Our business manager called me yesterday to ask if I was available to start and help the docs out, 3 days a week for now. It'll give me enough time to still study in between until my next exam date.
im not sure what test you took but i just passed my lvn test. before the exam we had a review with a nurse practitioner who actually writes questions for the board exam, and she told us if the questions start to get harder that actually means your doing well. the questions started to get harder on my exam too and i passed. im sure you did just fine. good luck to you.
Just took the boards last Aug. and i feel the same as you do after..took me 105 questions before it stops..but before that my computer suddenly stops after question 85..i thought thats the end..but then it pops..time for a break hehehe..it opted not to..my wife also took it and her's stops at 75..almost all in my group stops at 75..it's weird when you are left alone answering..but i can still remember the question before it stops..and i knew i got it right..so if you knew you got the last question right before it stops..you'll probably pass..I pass the exam and so is my wife..Good luck..
MaleAPRN
206 Posts
I believe a candidate who unfortunately fails the exam 4 times can only retake the exam that many times a year according to the AANA. But, there is no time limit in between.
Vinny.