I was literally shaking after i was done, because you find out there, i thought it would show up on the screen, it went blank, and i waited afraid to look at screen then another 20 questionnaire about ANCC and testing center, then blank screen again.. then.. i went out signed out, gave my fingerprint and the guy handed me the paper.
Personally i thought the test was really hard. It was difficult in the fact that you really had to think about what the question was asking and really look at each answer and determine the BEst answer, sometimes more than one answer was right but you had to choose the best. It could be overwelming and cause anxiety if you let it.
I used the scratch paper and wrote down 1,2,3,4 read each answer then crossed off on my paper which one's didn't fit, most often i could cross off 2 then decide between last 2.
That being said I don't think I could have studied any differently or much more than i did. I mean I feel like you can learn and learn and learn and still not learn it all. But there was a lot of stuff on the exam that i had never heard of, some wierd genetic disorder leads to which type of cancer, uh no freaking clue since i had never heard of the disorder (maybe that was one of the 25 that didn't count?)
Not too many med questions, i think maybe only 2-3 which wanted you to pick a specific med for an answer.
I think a lot of questions were odd, because you will probably get wierd/odd stuff in practice where you won't know the answer but will have to decide what will be the best test or best next thing to do, a lot of the questions were like that, and you can't really memorize anything to help you with that.
I used margaret fitzgerald's CD's, workbook, and study guide book (which will be for sale on ebay soon case anyone is interested!) I pd. probably $250 but believe it was well worth it. Her information is presented in a really clear and understandable manner. I just wish I had gotten it sooner perhaps while i was still in school!
I think her stuff is particularly helpful to study and learn before you start working. I feel like the stuff i learned in school was finally coming together and I feel like I actually know what i would prescribe for many common complaints. And not just randomly but knowing why you are doing it.
How far after you graduated did you take the ANCC exam? I am in the process of looking for a job...how is the job hunt going? Kate
I graduated in Dec, took the exam April 7th. I finally got the papers (which i mailed as soon as i got my diploma, which took about 1 month after graduating) you have a range to take the test 90 days i believe. i could take anytime feb 17-May 17th.
I ordered my books/cds after i graduated and took awhile to receive so got started late on studying...
since I am graduating in two months and will be taking my exam in 3 months hopefully. I know you took the FNP exam, and mine will be different (ACNP), but nevertheless...just curious how you prepared for the exam. I know the materials you used, fitzgerald, etc...but how long did you study? After you graduated, did you set aside like 4 hours/day to study? Did you mostly answer sample questions, or did you review content too? Did you feel like everything you did prepared you well to take the exam? Did you get any questions on research, law, ethics, etc? Thanks!
-Christine
hmm i'm not sure how you will take the exam so quickly. You have to have your official transcripts which say "degree conferred". My school told me it would be 6-8 weeks after i graduated to get it, but i just kept calling and got it around 1 month after. Then after you mail the application to ANCC they say you should receive a reply within 90 days, then you have 90 days to take the exam. So it could be up to 3-6 months after you graduate that you can take the exam.
I study a lot, in the sense that i studied about 2 months. But i procrastinate and get distracted so some days it would only be 1 hour. But i also studied at work when i had time, and listed to the CDs in my car or running about 2 times through. I did all of the study book except for psych and neuro chapters which i only had time to skim. I also reviewed the whole notebook that comes with the cd's. I had made notes from the study book probably about 50 pages more or less and reviewed all of them the night before. I also had some notecards from Pharm class that I studied.
Fitzgerald says its not like NCLEX and you can't just do questions and expect to pass. I missed a lot of the questions in the book but felt like i knew the material better after studying the reasoning.
After taking the exam I would say i felt well prepared. And I would not know exactly how much more or differently i could study.
the questions on the exam really make you think.
Oh also go to ANCC website and take their practice exams and print off the test content outline.
Research, law and ethics all on the exam but not too bad. the ethics ones will probably be with dealing how to treat adolescent, like do you treat if they want STD testing or birth control, etc..
The research questions I found were confusing.. There were 4-5 of those.
There weren't very many med questions asking for a specific med, maybe 2-3 and they gave both classes of medicine, generic and brand. They may have asked something about a lab value but not too bad.
They did ask about some things I had never heard of.
Also look in a med book (or fitzgerald CD review book) of the several ortho manuevers and what they are what they mean and why/when you do them.
Specializes in Acute rehab/geriatrics/cardiac rehab.
CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU!!! :nuke: Now go relax. I totally agree about Margaret Fitzgerald's books and CDs. I used her review course (the CDs and the review book that goes with it) and also her separate Nurse Practitioner Certification Review book.
I would like to thank you for your post on the test. It was helpful. I am taking FNP next week and i am a ball of nerves. I feel like I know nothing. I am on my 3rd round of listening to Marget CD's. I feel completely unprepared for the Peds portion. Can you please enlighten me on how and what to study in Peds. What Peds questions did you have? Thank you so much and Congrats:)
You can buy any of her products on www.fhea.com I went to her live review course last month and it was amazing. She is a great teacher and has built up an incredible business for herself. I want to be her when I grow up!!!
I just completed an FNP program and have applied to take the AANP cert. exam. Was wondering just how you studied? I have the Fitz. CDs and her book. I do know that most who use her study material and/or attend her review courses pass the exams. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I think that the Fitzgerald definitely helped me, but let me tell you what added to that: There is a book by a woman, her last name LEIK, called the Certification exam for family/adult NP, something like that. I let a friend borrow it, sorry, I can't remember the exact name, but it was SO helpful. The exam was EXTREMELY hard and I am glad I didn't just used Fitz. I think you will see what I mean when you see the Leik book. Check it out online. Best of luck to you! Martha:yeah:PS. I passed my exam. You can too!
:yeah:
mom and nurse
513 Posts
Congratulations to you!!!!:clpty: