lakebabynurse

I'm chuckling inside, because I felt the same way. I actually wrote it on my hand with the marker that prometrics gave me! Check the aanp website under your certification information (sign into it) mine showed up in two days and I took it May of this year. GOOD LUCK!

I absolutely did look to see what pass rates were nationally before I chose which exam to take (chose AANP). I am a family nurse practitioner and wanted the best possible rates of pass. I can be credentialed under ANCC just by passing the AANP and applying for (and paying for) certification. The cost and locations of Colleges ultimately were the deciding factor in my education, not their individual passing rates. I need to take responsibility for what I dont know (all about being an adult learner), however if passing rates are extremely low at a particular school...you may not even have a chance to figure out what you don't know! Good luck to you. I was out of classes 2 years and was just finishing my clinic time prior to testing, and I did fine. Make sure you take a good review course early in your education so that you will know what to hone in on throughout your education, and know what to study after your done! BTW- you have raised an excellent question that would make for a very interesting research project!

Thanks so much, I look forward to hearing from you in regards to this. I also know that the new edition of Advance for NP's just came out with a very interesting turnover in the retail health setting, but from looking back on some of the posts, it does seem that there are advantages, even if they are just for a short while (less than 5 years) I looks forward to hearing how your job is going, please keep me posted.

I have recently became certified and licensed and am now getting ready to start my life as an NP. The current job I am in is nights- other than that I love it, but no job there for NP (L&D). I also have started teaching this year -which I love, however cannot locate any full time positions in this area (or even PT with benefits). I am on my second interview with 2 places, and I am already being asked for more information like references, etc. 1st place is a very reputable hospital nationwide fantastic opportunities as an apn. The division is very small part of larger division. However, extremely specific type of pt.s limited in the presenting disease. this one is M-F days, no call, no holidays or weekends, occ late days due to calls during day. Second position is with a retail clinic chain pays really really well about 20K more), however turnover seems to be a little high. plus in this setting, choices, responsibilities are limited- heard it can be boring on occ. Hours are 12 hour shifts and flexible... might still be able to teach while doing this job. Also got a call from another university wanting me to take on a little adjunct faculty work...might be able to squeeze this one in too if I go with retail clinic. Both major positions have benefits, the first one is less money but better benefits and opportunities. second with more flexibility, poss for me to continue teaching occasionally (which I love). Neither position has anything to do with what I have been doing thus far as an RN, complete change of life for me. Any one with any opinions in this matter.....? I would love to have some really good advise from all of the wonderful and highly intelligent NP's/PA's that are out there!

well, i just wanted to add another little note, i just took the exam on tuesday, i just checked the aanp website and my certification wallet card was up already! i am blown away. i printed it out and now i am filing for my state license!

BTW- what city are you located in? Any chance NE ohio?

I would really have to say I prefer APEA. Amalie has a way of explaining things that make the concepts stick. I wrote a thank you email to her yesterday and by last night, Amalie , Jeannie (her assistant) and another person from APEA had all emailed me back congratulating me! I think she is very personable, in the past I have emailed a question or two and she is always on top of it. APEA also has fantastic antibiotic cheat cards and I highly recommend them! fantastic to have the information organized in that manner (and I am a person with an ipad and an android phone- this is just EASIER). Leik was very helpful on the review book, but the other two that I mentioned came with CD's and it got me used to the questions, the format and sitting for 150-175 questions at a time. Some times I could only do 25-50, but I had that option.....The reason that I also took APEA's quizzes online is because it put a little pressure on me to do well for an exam that I paid for. It give you nice feedback as well. which ever way you choose Fitzgerald or Hollier, I'm sure you will do well, it's just nice to have a little humor infused while you are spending so much time with the material, and it is less expensive. As for your other question, yes you can delay your testing date, it will cost you though. Check out the websites information on rescheduling your exam. However, please remember that I was out of classes for 2 years! I really needed to get my act back together! Also- I had very little experience with anything but pregnant women and infants in my nursing career. I chose FNP to be well rounded and more marketable, but to still be able to work within my GYN population. Set a date, commit to a study schedule (actually fill out a calender that you can look at each day), and go for it! You will not only keep yourself on track by knowing exactly what you covered and when, but what else you will still need to cover in your time remaining.

To be honest with you, I did a lot. I have always been at the top of my class and I was panicking because I had been out of classes for so long (classes ended in May 2008- clinical just ended in December 2009). I taught BSN students for the entire Spring semester and worked full time at my job as an RN (which by the way has almost always been in OB- LDRP/Nursery- so little Adult or Peds nursing experience). I listened to Amalie Hollier's CD's nearly every day in my car. She's funny, she makes the learning easy with her stories and way of explaining things. Great foundation. I took 3 of her quizzes online (under $40 for all three), I also bought her APEA certification exam prep book I went to Fitzgeralds seminar in 2008 (but did not revisit any of her book after) I spent time answering questions from the adult and family nurse practitioner certification exam book (came with a computer disk Winland-Brown & Dunphy) The family nurse practitioner certification review book and computer disk (Zerwekh & Claborn) went over Leik's book like mad the week before the test. I also went through the entire Hollier series on CD the week before (sitting at a desk, actually going through the seminar instead of just passively listening). I have also been doing Fitzgeralds pharmacology classes online to get my CTP (my college class was over 3 yrs. ago- so I have to take it again) When I studied, I took notes for things I was not sure of or that I did not remember, looked up pictures on the computer for items I missed on the practice tests and prayed a lot. I also took off two weeks prior to the test, got up early every day for one full week (my test was at 9am and I am a night shift worker- so I retrained myself for this week). I know like this seems pretty overwhelming, but the test is challenging. My classmates took the ANCC and they passed back in 2008 with just the Fitzgerald classes, but they were done with clinicals right away and had just finished the Fitzgerald class (they all had experience in med-surg etc...) Good luck to you, the test is challenging, know your pharmacology/antibiotics, I would recommend a good review course that is current Go see one or order the cd and books online- however, be aware that you miss interaction with others and seeing the slides when you do it at home- just sit near a computer and look them up as you go along ( ie:koplik spots, strawberry tounge, drawer tests.....) youtube has some great videos of ortho tests, maneuvers, etc....

Glad to hear it! We need to push for excellence and make people proud to be part of AANP! They did put out a statement a few months back about their intention to be responsive and professional. Let's keep them to high standards. Good luck to you on your boards.

I took the AANP yesterday (passed). I have been out of the classroom for two years, but have been studying like a mad person for 4 months. AANP has always been very responsive to me, I called them yesterday to ask questions regarding certification and when I would get my paperwork (as well as faxing the paperwork to have my state board notified). I have nothing but good things to speak about. The test does have lab normals. I chose AANP because it is specific to NP's (which I believe we need a strong, specific, organization) and because I will just file for the AANC certification under reciprocity if someone requires that certification. They now have completely open testing dates and online applications. I also subscribe to the AANP smart briefs newsletter and it has been wonderful.

Little Greek- Im sure I know the answer to this, but with working the overtime and extra on call, do you get any form of reimbursement or extra time off? and if you don't mind me asking, what base are you at? Do you feel the work is the same as in the civillian world or do you feel that you are doing way more work? Im not afraid of the work, but I will already be taking quite a pay loss and my husband will have to find a new job when we relocate, so Im wondering if it is really worth it financially. Thanks!

I agree with all posts here. That nurse was being spiteful and doing the "eat their young" trick, so that she could look better by making you look and feel bad. Everyone started out as a beginner at some time. When you have a cervix that is far posterior, or to the left or right, 100% effaced and the baby is low station IT CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE....esp. those of us with short fingers!:nuke: The lesson here is....when you are a charge nurse or precepting another new nurse in 2 or 3 years, remember these times and never do it to anyone else...

Of course my recruiter cannot "Quote" anything yet.. he stated that he has heard rumors that the bonus would be the same as the loan payoff- $30k. I am waiting for something to be in writing first before I believe it.:wink2:

From what my recruiter told me, we have a big 4 hospital type thing. Langley, Wright Patterson, Lackland and one in Cal- think its Tinker. IF you put these on dream sheet- good chance you will get one of the four. Since I am OB- I only have a few hospitals to choose from where that type of mission is. If you are a gen-med/surg nurse, good chance that you can fit into almost any base with hospital mission. They will even have it in your contract PRIOR to COT where your first base will be- so this is apparently slightly negotiable. Overseas very hard to get on first assignment, but great opp for rejoining.

I am looking for some information on waivers. Is it possible to obtain a waiver for past headaches? Im not sure if I was diagnosed with migraines, but about a year and 7 months ago (during the middle of working full time MSN studies full time and grandchild being born) I had headaches a couple times a week for about a month. Complaines to Doc she gave me meds to prevent Amitriptaline 10 mg), and I never had headache since. I never stopped taking meds, but now Im wondering if this will keep me out. Im 42 dont have much time left to join (in AF can join until 48 and retire up until 68). This is prob. my only issue. Healthcare recruiter eluded that this would be an issue and although he didnt suggest I lie, he said if its not a problem now, I may not want to mention it- that the only medical records that the service gets are the ones I provide to them. I would appreciate any advice or stories from individuals regarding waiver process.