PMHNP Exam

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Hello,

I am taking the PMHNP exam on Monday, June 2nd. I was wondering if anyone has taken this exam yet (I believe this new one was introduced in August of last year)? I have been studying for almost 2 months now, read the ANCC review book and took the Fitzgerald course. I have failed most of the ANCC practice tests, as I have taken the PMNHP as well as the Psych CNS... I have passed the Fitzgerald test with high results and pass the practice tests on ANCCprep.com... Has anyone had this experience? I worry that if I cannot pass the actual ANCC practice tests, I will fail the exam. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!

Thank you!

Ali

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Ali!

I am right here with you. I take the test 06/09. I have heard the practice tests that you pay for on the ANCC are MUCH harder than the actual test. I have failed them as well.

I'm really prepping , to the best of my ability, for legal, professional role, theory, and therapy questions. I think there will be little on drugs and diagnosis. I have also been going back to my Lipincott, Mosby's study review guide fro the NCLEX and studying their psych tests. Oh yeah, I'm also using my psych text book from nursing school. Entry level info which is what is covered on the test.

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Justin!

Thanks for replying! I have the ANCC review manual and am really using that as a guide. I feel though, that I've seen questions on professional role and legal issues that are not covered in the review. What are you using to read up on that stuff? Seems like you are really on the right track! I will for sure keep you posted on anything I found to be helpful once I've taken it!

Ali

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That's a great question Ali. Other than the ancc review book I have found very little info on this topic elsewhere and yet it is such a huge portion of our test. I've been going to quizlet.com and searching under "pmhmp profession role" or "legal". I'm also trying to read old textbooks for these topics but this is challenging because its a ton of material to go through for little return in time investment.

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One other thing. I've studied both Fitzgerald and Barkley and neither of them have much of anything on the topic. Disappointing

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Ya, its definitely disappointing, thanks for the heads up on Quizlet!

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Good luck tomorrow. I'm a member of a PMHNP group on facebook, really good resource for when you are in practice. Send me an email at xxxxxxxxxxx and I'll hook you up. Lets talk after you pass the test!

Justin

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Specializes in Ortho, Med/Surg, Psych NP.

Hi Ali,

We have very similar methods to studying I think. I bought the Barkley review and did it in December just to get my feet wet with ANCC prep. I graduated this May and the past 6 weeks have gone through the official ANCC exam prep book. The first part of June I purchased the 10 PMHNP exams from anccprep.com as well as the 150 official ANCC questions which gives you two tests. I've taken 7 anccprep tests the lowest I got was a 350, highest 400 although my average is 375. They really like their legal and ethical questions don't they! Sheesh. The Barkley review and the ANCC review book doesn't go into the detail the anccprep makes it seem like we need. The official ANCC practice questions were tough! I got a 49% on the first set and a 65% on the second. This was discouraging to me as well, but as someone posted I too have heard that the actual exam questions are not as challenging as the review questions.

I think what helped me change my score 16 percentage points from exam 1 to 2 was making flashcards around every question and they rationales given, SLOWING down and reading each question carefully; finding the stem and then eliminating bad choices leaving only the right. Then plug the choice back into the question to make sure it fits.

I take my exam in a few weeks, hope everyone else does well. Congrats to all the PMHNP graduates of 2014 lets go change lives! :D If anyone would like to contact me further I can be reached at xxxxxxxxxxx

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So, how did the exam go? I am taking it next week and have done the just about same preparation that you all have. Any last minute tips from anyone would be much appreciated!

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The most important piece of advice is to stay calm. Take breaks when you need to. Be okay with the fact that it least 25-50 the questions you will not know the answer to. That's okay. The test itself is rather vague and wide and topic. What we study for is in a way not really on the test. But somehow the studying gives you what you what you need answer. I will not say this is an easy test because it is not. But the test is doable. I passed. Good luck!

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Thanks Justin and congratulations on passing the test!! What resource/resources did you find the most helpful?

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Ancc review. Barkley's. And my nclex review books; reviewed the psyche questions. Also nursing school psych text book

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