PASSED ANNP Exam Yesterday + some more

Published Oct 29, 2019

7 Posts

I just wanted to share some information regarding the AANP exam. I have been part of this community ( allnurses.com) for a long time and it has served me well. I believe it is time for me to help others just by writing some words.

My story began last year. I graduated July 2018 from my FNP but I didnt want to take my boards just yet, I did not want to practice as a NP after seeing and hearing some many horror stories from friends in the field. So I decided to travel Europe for 2 months right after graduation. It was one of my best life experience ever and if someone has the opportunity , Please go ahead and do it. I came back and I still wasnt ready for my boards. I quit my full time Job and star doing travel nurse. I did some disaster Relief in Florida, I did a couple of strikes in the Mid west and west coast.

Fast forward a year later after my graduation. A month ago I found myself in a hotel room during a rapid strike in California, having a bit of anxiety regarding my boards. It was always on the back of my mind like a itch you cant scratch. I thought about of all the time and money Is spent on my masters program and I decided to just set the date for my boards. I gave myself 1 month to study. Mind you, it was about a year since I touched any books or anything so there was a lot of things I didnt remember or knew. I was pretty much starting from zero. I set the date, came home. deleted all social media. I told my friends and family not to disturb me for 1 month. Went to costco and load up on food. I truly didnt leave my house much. I guess I had to " put myself in jail " for this.

Tips :

You have to develop a healthy routine, Have to sleep 7-8 hours a day minimum- good food, lots of water and it might sound silly but every little thing helps towards that big day and exercise.

I would wake up around 7am - study until 7 pm and the go to the gym until 9 and be sleeping by 10-11.

Learn to say No to people. Tell everybody you care for and know about your test so they understand why you are not coming to a bday party, or dinner, etcs. It also makes you accountable.

When I graduated I had to do barkeley+review which personally didnt like much. I got the CD's which I would play on my car if I was driving somewhere from time to time.

I used the Hollier review mainly. I didnt attend to the live review But I got the videos which I played over and over. She is the best in explaining complicated subjects in a easy manner that its easy for your to retain. Maria LEIK Intensive Nurse Practitioner review as a complementary source. If you dont have money to spend on hollier, this will save you the questions in the book are more than enough and they are very similar to the boards ( favorite Qbank )

Fitzgerald Review. i tried this too for 1 week. Too much info- if you like challenging yourself and have the time great book.

I purchased the Qbank from APEA which was ridiculous expensive and to be honest. The questions were way too into depth compare to the boards. I was getting 68% on the Q bank . I purchased 2 predictor exams from APEA 70% & 73 % 3 days before my test.

I used examedge ( 5 exams ) that a friend of mine gave me. Some people say those questions are too easy but honestly, they are very similar to the boards. I was getting 76% average here.

Boardvitals -- I used for 2 days and I called to have a refund-- Those questions are wayyyyyy to long 3 -4 paragraph questions ( not worth the time or money ).

The day before the test I went for a beer to relax , I ended up day drinking ( drunk ) . Mind you I had my test a 1 pm next day and I wasnt feeling that great the next morning. Stupid Idea. I finished my exam with 50 min extra. I can tell you there was only 2 questions I had no idea about. The rest was pretty easy to be honest. I got to the point I was getting worried because I felt I was being tricked or something. take your time and read the question over and over. You will have plenty of time to finish.

Good luck to everyone! If I can pass this after 1 year of not touch a book. You can too !