ChasinAdream

My time to share and close an end to this long journey to become a FNP is finally here! A few weeks ago I searched this forum with hopes to find some recent words of wisdom, but I came up empty handed. I did find posts talking about failing their first attempt and I started to get into my head. However, I just focused on the process of studying and did not let that deter me. I come bearing words of encouragement and will share my study strategies to help others on this journey. First, YOU have come so far, and if you do not pass the first time, do not let this bring you down. If you're taking the AANP exam, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing their most recent practice exam for $50 on their website. This layout is the EXACT same on exam day, so don't go changing the colors around. Become familiar with it and navigate it thoroughly, so come exam day it is one less stressor you have to deal with. I recommend sticking to only a few brain dump items and jot these down during your 15 min "tutorial" of the exam. You won't have to go through the tutorial, since you already did that with the practice exam. If you happen to read this and you are just starting school, purchase the Comprehensive FNP review book by Leik. I believe the 5th edition is the most current and get a NEW book with the study flash cards. There is a study link in the front cover, do NOT activate this until you are 6 months from when you want to take the exam. I personally used Leik during my entire program for supplemental information. For daily study questions, download FNP Mastery. Just do the free 11 daily questions until you are one month from taking the exam, then purchase the monthly subscription for ~$40. Lastly, purchase the Crash Course Review by Sarah Michelle NP Review and get her PDF book with it as well. I listened to her lectures over and over again. Another great resource is Brittani Holsbeke on Patreon. I found her lectures easy to follow and touched on things I wasn't educated well in school. When you are ready to study, schedule your exam with at least 3 weeks for prep. Focus on 2-3 sections per day, with each one taking 2 hours each. You can create a customized study plan on ChatGPT as well. Review each section with questions and review things you didn't understand the following day. I suggest finding the areas you are weakest in and do those first and review those everyday. PRACTICE QUESTIONS! Do as many as you can tolerate each day, but aim to be able to complete at least 50-75 without taking a break. Do multiple 150 practice question sessions with short breaks every 50 questions. Complete at least TWO "test-day" simulations. I used a brain dump with high priority (e.g. cranial nerves, murmur mnemonics, antibiotics, asthma), but I did NOT even use it. That being said, if you WERE to make one, only put things that you easily mix up. The night before I just relaxed. I went out to dinner, did short review of my poster hoarding high priority items, and rewrote my brain dump several times. Make sure you get plenty of rest, caffeine, food, and water the morning of the exam. Also, make sure you check out the location several days prior and leave so you get there with 30 mins to spare. I hope this helps someone who needs a little guidance through all of the study material out there or just provides some support during this challenging time! YOU WILL PASS!

I applied to Baylor as well and was not selected for an interview, but miraculously I received an interview email for UTH. Good luck to us all!

Hey There, If your true passion is NICU/PICU, I would say research NICU’s in your area and find the ones that are level 4 if you want the sick babies. You want to do this while you are motivated before you become completely burned out. I am saying this as a nurse of almost 6 years and having worked in a variety of settings. I accepted a FT Fellowship NICU position recently and I am blown away at the ability to still be a part of their fellowship while being an experienced nurse in other areas. Make the jump and you will learn hearts with the babies and peds! You might have to move to get the higher paying positions and fellowships, but do it! ?

Yes. Did you see the separate email to apply for the scholarships/FAFSA too? It is kind of crazy how close it is to find out with regards to the start date. It doesn’t allow much time for planning everything out LOL.

Good luck to us all that still have to interview! My flight didn’t get cancelled and I made it safely here. ??

Thanks for the update! I wish you luck! Will be flying out Thursday for my interview. Hoping no flight cancellations on the way there. *Fingers crossed

Cool thank you !

Thanks for the update. I have not received the new email yet, but hopefully will be able to find it on my own. What parking lot did you notice was closet to the nurse anesthesia building? Good luck and hope you have good news coming your way!

I’m bringing a few copies of my resume, my CV and putting it into a professional folder that I can take notes on it too. Will do. I am going to go tour the school the day before my interview so I have an idea where to park and where I am going. I am hoping it will lessen the anxiety for the day of. LOL It’s big enough too to where I can store my keys, snacks and phone in it.

Yes! Agreed. I had a nightmare the other day that I slept in, got stuck in traffic and only made it there with a minute to spare before my interview. ?. I think as long as we are humbled and don’t try to bs our way through the interview it will shine through. Just remember to take a deep breath before and positive self talk before you go in. Good luck to us all !

That’s awesome ! Good luck !!

Super excited/nervous. I am flying in the morning before with hopes my flight won’t be cancelled/pushed back. Good luck everyone !

I emailed them as well yesterday.

I was thinking the same thing as well! I plan on emailing them tomorrow in hopes of a response Monday or Tuesday. We should all do it ! LOL

Thank you for putting this together. I applied this year and am hopeful to hear back with good news in the next several weeks. I hope your program is going well for you!

I clicked the link I was originally sent to schedule my interview. IDK if they are working backwards through the applications, but I submitted like a week before the deadline and received my interview email on 11/16 if they helps for reference.

Stay hopeful everyone! There are three time slots left to schedule your interview. Hopefully they will start sending out emails soon. Don’t give up!

There are plenty of free resources out there too. You could have her write out questions to interview questions, find critical care specific questions and pharmacology/anesthesia related ones. She could do mock interview with you and other friends/family so she is more comfortable with interviewing and talking through her answers. Even applying to jobs she doesn’t actually want to gain experience interviewing too would help.

WOOOOOO!!! My first interview email! I am so stoked. I have not chosen a day yet for my interview, but it does say it is in Fort Worth and a group interview. The sites I chose are: Harris Methodist in Fort Worth, Seton M.C. in Austin and Baylor All Saints in Fort Worth. Good luck to all of us that have received interview emails and those that are waiting.

It showed the stats for 57 people. Thank you for the positivity! I am just hoping I hear something positive for this application season or beginning of next year. My pre requisites start to expire the end of 2022 so I really don’t want to have to retake any if I can help it. I am excited for you and good luck!! You will crush it. If anything your sheer determination to keep applying will shine through !

This application period I have applied to 6 schools total. The three that I have received rejection emails or a waitlist email from are: U of A, Midwestern and Westminster. 2 of the 3 schools strictly use NursingCAS for their selection of applications, which I have read can hurt some applicants depending on their academic history. I have an overall 3.30 cumulative GPA, 3.92 BSN GPA, 3.69 ADN GPA, 3.73 Science GPA, pending O. Chem course this semester (probably will end up with a B, unless the instructor curves and might get an A), 5 years RN as of Feb 2022, 3 years ICU RN as of Jan 2022 and GRE: 287/3.5, CCRN/PALS/ACLS/BLS. Before I left my core nursing job to travel I precepted and was on the wound care committee. I am working on retaking the GRE to try to get a 300/4.0, but the O. Chem class has taken a lot of my time for studying. I have worked in peds, med-surg, PCU-Cardiac focused, surgery, ICU and travel ICU. The ICU I received the bulk of my training was a busy general MICU/SICU. The skills and knowledge I have gained as a travel ICU RN during the last year has been great as well and I have learned different specialities and charting systems. I finally bit the bullet and bought the AllCRNASchools spreadsheet and I might reach out to one of the CRNA influencers who specialize in getting you ready for admissions, interviews, resume, etc. I think the big thing to take away is to keep applying, not give up and reach out to the schools to see where I can improve. At least that is what I am telling myself so I don't give up. LOL. Hope that helps!

I applied very late in the application period. I am hoping to receive a positive email to interview. *fingers crossed* The chase for CRNA school is definitely a mental game and so far I have been waitlisted at one school and rejected to 2 without an interview. Staying positive and hopeful though! Good luck everyone.

I received my rejection email a few days ago and they sent a spreadsheet of this years stats. The cumulative GPA is probably the number one thing I will have to find a way to overcome to be seen as competitive, or find schools that look at the last 60 credit hours. It was around a 3.6 for this years interview selection. Good luck everyone with your interviews! The grind continues to find the right school.

Congrats to everyone that got accepted! I received my waitlist email this morning. I am looking at the positive, since at least it was not a rejection email. Maybe next time around I will be selected for an interview! Good luck to everyone!

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