PCNP

I recently passed this exam on first try back in December of 2021 and can share my tips for studying. 1. I took the self-guided review course that is offered by HPNA. I found it helpful in framing the areas that I needed to review more. 2. I mainly focused on the symptom chapters in the Core Curriculum. I find this review book to be quite cumbersome. I appreciate the need/want to include NPs/specialists as co-authors for each chapter, however I found it too detailed/overwhelming for a test that is a bit more generalized. 3. Review questions are the most helpful. I only had about two weeks to really study for this. I used the review questions at the end of each section as a guide as to whether I should do more in depth review of content areas. I also purchased the HPNA practice exam, which I believe is 50 questions or so. I would also take the FastFacts Quiz, which is about 150 questions and comes with rationales. 4. I also if you have access to CAPC. I would suggest doing some of their modules and do the questions after. I would say, in sum, it was not the easiest test and it was not the worst. I felt that I could possibly study more and was genuinely surprised when I told I passed. They tell you your results instantly. Best of luck to whoever takes this exam in the future!

As a current palliative care NP on an inpatient service, I would agree that it comes with its challenges. The hours are long and the patient situations are high stakes. Have you had nursing experience outside of being an NP or are you a direct entry? I think prior nursing experience will help if you plan to some day transition out of palliative care as a speciality. I think a lot of employers recognize and appreciate PC experience. Really, all clinician should have at minimum primary palliative care skills. Of course, moving into a different specialty means a learning curve, but that comes with any new job regardless. I've interviewed myself for jobs outside of PC, mostly in geriatric practices, and I have been seen as highly desirable. In fact, I received a job offer almost immediately after interviewing for a local PACE program. My advice is to pursue the fellowship. The learning experience will be valuable. I started in a PC position where they never hired a new grad before and believe me, it was like drinking from a fire hose. Hope that helps.