Need help passing certification exam

Have you taken a review course?

I am having the same problem with the Family Psychiatric certification. I have studied everything there is to study, and made good grades in school. I am also a psychiatric coordinator for the BSN program at the university from which I graduated. ANCC told me that nurses who have been in paractice for many years tend to over analyze on the test. I tried not to do that this last time, and made the worst score ever. It seems I continously make in the 340s. I also took a review course and two home study courses. If you find out out the secret please let me know.

Phoenix2010

Fitzgerald has a very good review course. I used them for my FNP test and I did well. Everyone I know that has used them has passed the ANCC test. So try them they have a website www.fhea.com. They have live in person review courses as well as review tapes and I think also online review courses.

My only problem with that is that Fitzgerald does not offer psychiatric nurse practitioner reviews for some reason, but I have also heard ver good things about their review.

I am having the same problem with the Family Psychiatric certification. I have studied everything there is to study, and made good grades in school. I am also a psychiatric coordinator for the BSN program at the university from which I graduated. ANCC told me that nurses who have been in paractice for many years tend to over analyze on the test. I tried not to do that this last time, and made the worst score ever. It seems I continously make in the 340s. I also took a review course and two home study courses. If you find out out the secret please let me know.

Phoenix2010

I also have not passed the Family Psych exam- I'm retaking it next month, after they change it. I went to a review course offered by ANCC- but there is a lack of study material for us. I don't know what else to do either and I'm freaked out about taking the exam again. Good luck to you.

I went to an ANCC review in August 2009 in Arlington, TX which is only 3 hours from my home and found it not to be very helpful. The kowledge that was presented was nothing new. I did some research and found where the pass rate for the Family mental health exam is historically much lower than it is for FNP. That tends to be true for most specialties but not quite as low as the family psychiatric exam.

I have never studied so much, for so long and still continue to be unsuccessful. Have you looked at the new sample test on the ANCC website? I found it to be more nurse oriented, and the questions were not as vague. I bought the new book, will read that and also take it one more time. Good luck to you as well!

Phoenix2010

I have not yet taken the certification exam, but there are 2 separate board exams that you can choose from. PNCB offers one, and ANCC offers the other. I am sure their exams are similar, but it might be worth a try to go with the one you haven't yet gone through? I wish you the best of luck!

I looked up the PNCB website and it is for Pediatric nurse practitioners. I am needing the Family psychiatric mental health NP certifying organization. To my knowledge, ANCC is the only one that certifies this specialty. Thank you for your input.

Phoenix2010

Where did you go to school for your PMHNP? I'm sorry to hear about your struggle, I know you'll pass it the next time.

I'm getting ready to take the exam in 2 weeks, I also have tons of experience and worry over analysing as well. Hang in there we'll pass it.