While I was preparing I was so nervous and some of the previous post regarding the ANCC FNP exam helped and some scared me to death. I made a promise to myself to post some of my experience so that It will be helpful for the NP students who are preparing for the test soon
First of all I want to tell you all the test was not bad at all. I graduated on May 15 and registered for exam at the same time. my school took 15 days to send my official transcript to ANCC, as soon as they received my transcript they send me the OK letter to schedule the test in 2 days. In between I contact them to verify the status and they were nice...
I took 2 week to study and these are the resources I used
Leik book-- Excellent book , only needed info. breakdown nicely.. and the 650 questions at the end ...very useful. The last 2-4 chapters go over at least couple times.. you will never regret ( some minor errors noted in Leiks book)
Fitzgerald review-- I have to travel to a different town and stay in a hotel 3 days for live review... I will choose the online review much more affordable and wise. the spiral binder they gave you in the review very helpful.
The Fitzgerald online tutorials about research and the Leik book research chapter will cover the research topics pretty much for you...
I borrowed Fitzgerald 3 rd edition and read all chapters and did the answer the test questions (1400)...
APEA online review (offered by school almost 3 months ago) -- Amelie is awesome and honestly the test did not look like what review questions...
Exam edge- FNP review- I bought 10 test bundles. End up studying 10-15 different theories (some of them I even heard before and very frustrating). I scored 360-399 on these tests. very poorly constructed questions with lot of grammatical errors --the test questions in real exam is much more professional ( and ended up withno theories in my real test at all...)
Here is my exam looked like (unable to provide exact details.. don't want to be in trouble):
22 multiple choice
Hypertensive meds (CCB, HTCZ ACEI)
5 drag
3 exhibit
10 pictures (derm and eye) pictures were good quality ...please make sure you review common eye conditions with pictures well
Billing and how choose CPT codes in primary care
ANA position statements and research methods (meta analysis, case study etc..)
At least 20 cultural questions (Leik book good resource but Google it for more info)
1 milestone peades, 1 obg question
Real test looked like Fitzgerald review test questions
I finished 200 questions in 3 hours and took 30 mts to review the marked items
Once you finish the test, the proctor outside testing room will print a results for you..
I know this post is bit longer... But if this will help my fellow NP students I am happy for it....
If you are still completing your practicum PAY ATTENTION! I answered quite a few questions based on what I diagnosed and or treated during my practicum rotation.
I suggest studying for at least 3-6 months prior to whatever exam you choose to take. I say this because in the end you won't have to cram. The first three months, I was all over the place. I did not have a structured study plan.
I finished the FNP program on March 9, 2016 and applied for both exams that day. Shortly after, I completed an ANCC review that was included in my program – The presenter held a DNP-FNP –BC, NP-C. The presenter had actually written certification questions for the ANCC and AANP. Although I had been studying for several months, this review gave me a blue print.
A week before the cert exams, I completed the MUST TAKE online webinar with Maria Leik. This was a live webinar review course! I was able to stay in my pajamas with my homemade coffee during this four-day review. Maria does an EXCELLENT job with covering Health promotion, the systems, OB, PEDS, and a separate session for the non-clinical topics. In addition, Maria answers questions daily at the end of each review class. Students who had previously taken the exams and failed posed several questions. I was able to gather additional information by listening to the other student's concerns and or questions.
Study Tools:
Leik 4th edition – READ the entire book and complete all the questions in the back of the book. Pay very close attention to the exam tips. In addition, purchase the FNP Q&A app- complete all the questions.
ANCC 4th edition review books Volumes I and II – Complete all questions
ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner Review Course Workbook and slides- provided by the ANCC review course.
AANP practice exam from the AANP website- I actually saw 1 question on my exam from the practice exam. I guess someone forgot to retire that one (smile). Scored an 86 %. two days before I tested.
ANCC practice exams on the ANA website. There is also a new Family Nurse Practitioner IQ†module for purchase on the ANA-Knowledge Center site. The module has questions specific to the domains one is required to pass on the actual exam.
Complete the free questions on the ANCC website that pertain to Geriatrics, Adult, and FNP.
Exam edge- 10 ANCC exams and 2 AANP exams- complete all the exams
APEA predictor examines – Believe it or not, I scored a 65 % on this particular exam the day before I took the AANP. The questions were not so similar to the exam.
Barkley DRT- Questions were similar to the exam- I scored an 89 % the day before the exam.
I will likely sit for the ANCC in a few weeks. Just enjoying the moment right now! The AANP has already issued my wallet card! My state actually accepts the wallet card for licensing! My application is in the mail!
I used it in school and clinical. I can not find anything similar for JNC-8. The JNC-8 is not fully accepted as of yet because it was a "meta analysis" not a an experimental model research. Can anyone advise RE: JNC-7 or 8 on the exams and a good study aid for JNC-8 it would be appreciated.
I am in the same boat you were in last year. I'm sure by now you have passed the test. Did you end up taking the ANCC exam? If so, what helped you the most. I'm sick just thinking about this.
Hello guys, I just pasted my ANCC boards today. I graduated from school in December. I started studying right away. I went through the Leiks and Fitzgerald book along with several others. I also purchased board vitals, FNP app, and the school gave us access to APEA. I listened to Bartley's and Amlie's. Looking back Leiks was an easier read but the information in Fitzgerald was more detailed. I'm not sure about you, but I wanted to make sure that I really understood the content and disease process. My goal was not to memorize the information but to actually know and be able to apply it. I didn't have a job, so I literally studied every chance I got. Of course, looking back, it was worth it. The exam took me completely off guard. I was surprised at the amount of research, leadership, and nurse practitioner advocacy questions. They were not challenging, but definitely familiarize yourself with them. I like the fact that they asked you to choose the top 3 differential diagnosis (select all that apply) because if you were unsure of one, at least you could pick from your top three choices. So, if you are afraid of the select all that apply questions, don't worry, they tell you how many to select. You also have the opportunity to go back and review all your questions and possibly change your answers. I only changed 2 questions because I was absolutely sure of it. All and all, I'm glad that I chose the ANCC instead of the ANP. I would recommend studying to learn the information, not just past the exam, because you not only have to know the material, but you have to know how to apply the information during the exam.
FNPinNY
51 Posts
Another little one we forget about.....
The Five A's
Ask about tobacco use
Advise to quit
Assess willingness to make a quit attempt
Assist in quit attempt
Arrange follow-up
AHQR supported clinical practice guidelines: Treating tobacco use and dependence
Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence | Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality
Identify and document tobacco use status for every patient at every visit.
In a clear, strong, and personalized manner, urge every tobacco user to quit.
Is the tobacco user willing to make a quit attempt at this time?
For the patient willing to make a quit attempt, offer medication and provide or refer for counseling or additional treatment to help the patient quit.
For patients unwilling to quit at the time, provide interventions designed to increase future quit attempts.
For the patient willing to make a quit attempt, arrange for follow-up contacts, beginning within the first week after the quit date.
For patients unwilling to make a quit attempt at the time, address tobacco dependence and willingness to quit at next clinic visit
This Quick Reference Guide for Clinicians is based on Guideline findings and includes many tables directly from the Guideline.
Select for Figure 1: The "5 A's": Treating Tobacco Dependence as a Chronic Disease