Passed ANCC FNP November 2019

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Hi all,

So, I just wanted to pay it forward and post about my experience in passing the ANCC FNP exam with the utmost transparency and encouragement. For starters, I don’t think I’m unintelligent but I do KNOW that I am a bad test-taker. I figured I could get through grad school, so I could get through the ANCC exam. Ha! The joke was on me. Everything from my nerves to doubting myself can get the best of me during testing. Now, on to my story...

I took the ANCC FNP exam for the first time in December 2017. I wasn’t even out of my program yet and I thought, “What’s the worst that could happen?” I was good student (finished in the top 5% of my class) and was doing extremely well in my clinical rotations. However, I was not prepared at all! I hadn’t mastered the basics (research, skin, cardiac, asthma) and those items were mostly on the first exam attempt. I went in to take my exam without having a firm understanding of the most basic items and FAILED!!! According to my calculations, I would’ve need 5-6 more questions on the first try to have passed the exam. I felt ashamed and defeated, but I knew I had to retest at some point. In the meantime, I forgot about my experience. I didn’t harp on a retake and went ahead to finish up my program (May 2018) and started studying again regularly this past June 2019. For about 8-10 weeks straight, I would go over my weaknesses (GI/GU, cardiac, pulmonary, OB, and peds). I also started on a low-dose beta blocker to help with my nerves and heart rate. I remember the same issues with my nerves and palpitations during my NCLEX prep.

While studying this past June 2019, I applied for my ATT and kicked things in to high gear. I stopped studying hardcore in mid-September to give my brain a good rest. The morning of the exam, I went over some basic things (i.e. Tanner staging, vaccinations, STD treatments, murmurs, JNC-8 guidelines) and I am so thankful I did.

I retested on this past week and it shows certified. My hard work and patience finally paid off. Please remember that if you have to retake the exam, it doesn’t mean that you’re a bad student or not fit for the job. You have to remain positive and surround yourself with positive people! Do not give up. Do not doubt yourself. During the exam, I would close my eyes, take a few deep breaths, tell myself I had all the answers I needed, and claimed that I would be an FNP-BC. I took a 5-minute snack and bathroom break at the 2-hour mark with 50 questions to go. Then, I went back to the computer to review my flagged items and finish up the test. Believe it or not, I had 62 flagged items!!! I know that I likely didn’t miss all 62, but this help me to do the math regarding my chances of passing. I read somewhere that they score 150 items and you would need 105 to pass. So, I figured with 175 items and 62 flagged that I’d still have 113 correct (enough to pass).

Also, I brain dumped so much crap during the tutorial (i.e. Tanner info, murmurs, cranial nerves, vaccination schedule, research triangle, etc.) all of which I had many questions on. The angels were on my shoulders that day (no offense to anyone who is a non-believer). I had plenty of pictures and drag-and-drops. I’m so glad I reviewed these over and over again because most were easy to identify.

The following is a list of what I used to prepare:

1) Hollier-Used her review videos and had a copy of her handouts from another students at another school. I loved her videos! The info really stuck with her quick wit and humor.

2) Leik-Used the latest (purple) intensive review book along with the app. The app was awesome because it was in color and I could use anywhere with a Wi-Fi signal. The skin pics helped a lot. Her clinical pearls are priceless.

3) Barkley Review FNP 2017-Used the 2017 version that has JNC-8 guidelines and all current info pertinent to the latest (May 2019) updated ANCC exam. I read the text and listened to the CDs for subject areas I didn’t feel confident about.

4) Exam Edge-Used this site to take the practice tests. I used a friend’s login because you can just reset the exam after each attempt. You can also buy a smaller package because the exams start to repeat questions after test 5.

5) Hybrid handout by Amarina/Haley file-I got this from a peer and it basically combined Leik, Fitzgerald, and Barkley into one document. It was good for when I didn’t want to lug all of my books around.

6) Fitzgerald-Used the text you can buy from the bookstore but I hated it and sold it early on. I attended the review course but I honestly thought it was a waste of money and time. I took the course right before I failed my first attempt. I regret taking it.

7) Joanne APRN videos (YouTube)-This lady was a God-send!!! She made everything so simple and easy to recall. I brain dumped her murmurs and it was smooth sailing.

Remember to stay positive and remember that the exam tests your MINIMAL level of competence. Do not harp on things. If you do not know it, just skip it. I felt good going into the exam, but I also knew that I could retake in the worst case scenario. Luckily, I no longer have to worry about it. I can add FNP-BC to my list of credentials. You shouldn’t worry either—study long, study strong!