Serrano2886

Like so many other NP graduates I trolled allnurses.com gathering as much information as possible in efforts to pass this exam (Adult-Geri Primary Care -- AANP), and today I am finally able to report that I PASSED!!!! I felt the exam was fairly challenging. I felt most questions were straight forward. I marked 17 out of the 150 because I was unsure and 2 of them I literally had no clue and literally guessed. Here's how I studied: 1. Barkley Live Review: I took the Barkley Live Review in January which I believe was very helpful, however if I knew better I would've taken in closer to the test date. Also if you have the CDs the Live Review isn't necessary. 2. Barkley CDs : These are great and almost verbatim what Barkley says in the live review I listened to this in the car and were really helpful for the test. My job requires a lot of traveling in the car, so I listened to his CDs daily. 3. Barkley DRTs: The questions were way harder than the actual exam, and they do not resemble the exam question format at all. (I did 2 DRTs scored a 78 and 80). I also completed all of the questions in his book about 600. (Barkley's Curriculum Review for Adult - Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners). This was the least helpful tool for me. 4. Amelie Holiier CDs: I found the CDs very helpful especially with reviewing hemo and psych. She is very easy to understand. However, I preferred the Barkley CDs because it had more information and was geared more towards the test taking and not so much clinical practice which Amelie tends to focus on. 5. Amelie QBank: Amelie's QBank most closely resembled the exam questions. There were at least 4 questions that were very similar or verbatim in her QBank. I did all of her questions over 1200. This was extremely helpful and the rationales are great. I consistently scored > 75. 6. Leik's book really ties it all together and her exam tips are spot on. This was my bible. Her questions were challenging and helpful. I also did all 600+ questions in her book. 7. Oooo Leik's app I used religiously and was very very helpful, especially the rationales. So here was my process: I first listened to Barkley CDs, then listened to Amelie CDs while reviewing their corresponding review books. I followed up with the Leik book. I did 1 or 2 systems per week. Then I did system focused questions on the QBank, FNP mastery app, and Barkley. This allowed me to absorb the information I needed to pass this test. Out of 150 questions there were only 2 questions I was clueless on. For all of the practice exams I was consistently scoring > 75. I hope this helps someone! It took sooo many hours but it's doable and believe me I am not the straight "A", easy learner.....it takes me forever to absorb information with a lot of repetition... Good luck to you all!!!! You're going to do GREAT!!!

I just graduated in March of this year. MSN AGPCNP. At this time I would not recommend this school. Currently they are on probation due to financial issues and are at risk of loosing accreditation by December of this year. Currently, they are trying to sell to a non-profit organization but nothing is final as of yet. (You can easily find more details with a Google search). The school overall isn't terrible. It was convenient due to my family/work life and the cost was reasonable. However, it is almost fully self-taught. The professors were not very helpful and the assignments were sub par. Finding your own clinical sights within their criteria was an absolute nightmare!! I'm glad I stuck it out and completed the program, but I would not recommend South University.

I have been at bedside for 6 years. Started as a float nurse in the med surg tele and emergency departments for 3 years and have been in the PACU for 3 years. I have 1 more year left until I complete my MSN specializing in Adult Geri NP and with 2 little ones I hope working from home gives me the flexibility in need.

It seems like you're referring to workman's comp, which I won't be doing. According to my interview I'm expected to see 7 to 8 clients a week's usually in their home, nursing home, or other day center type locations.

Thank you! I honestly didn't do anything special but apply online, I have no experience in this field, but I do believe being bilingual may have helped since my target clientele is mostly Hispanic. I will definitely update as I go.

So I've accepted the job with UHC as a field case manager!! I'm super excited but also very nervous as this is completely new territory for me. Does anyone have any pointers on being successful and efficient?? Thank you!!

Thank you for both replies, I appreciate it very much... @Thecommuter patience is a virtue, and I definitely do not have any expectations for responses but definitely glad some took the time to respond. Thanks again!

Anyone??

Hi Case Managers! I've repeatedly read that field case managers and telephonic case managers have very flexible schedules. How do you schedule your day? How many patients do you visit daily? Is 200 cases to manage annually a high number?? Any information will help!! Thank you all!

Hi all, I have been a nurse for 6 years. I've worked in Med/Surg float for 3 years and PACU for 3 years. I am in grad school, have 2 boys under 2, and work full time night shift. I am interviewing for a Field case management position and wanted to know the real low down on flexibility. I will be starting clinicals in May for NP so it's important I have 1 day during the week off for clinical hours. I am very organized, efficient, and great with the administrative aspect of nursing. I just need to know what type of flexibility can I expect and if it'still worth making the change. Any input will be great!!

Hi All, I'm a fairly newer PACU nurse, a little over 1 year. I work in a trauma hospital and our PACU has 22 beds. Last year my PACU had 4 nurses retire, and hired 5 new nurses all within 1 month. Although I love the place, the now seasoned nurses are refusing to take patients and holding patients while the new girls pick up the slack. Now that the manager is involved we are trying to implement a way that we can easily track patient assignments. How does your PACU keep track and make it fair? thanks

Hi am a new grad and landed my 1st job as a float rn in th med/surg area and its totally do-able with the right training. My facility offered me a total of 6 months training with about 2 weeks on every floor I would eventually float to. I love my job and the variety. Just remember to ask questions if your're unsure about anything and you'll do fine. I've been floating for a year now and I don't think I'll ever want to commit to just one floor. Plus staying out of the politics is great!! Good luck!! You'll do fine!

Thanks Blondy!!! I will be working on a med/surg floor..

JoPACURN....ummm...thanks for the suggestion???...eating isn't how I cope with stress...I have many different ways of coping...if I coped with stress only by eating through nursing school I would probably be in the book of world records for heaviest woman ever...anyhow this post is about finally getting a job as a new grad...not a weight watchers meeting...please don't take offense I just think your suggestion is out of line and your making a huuuugggeee assumption out of one sentence in my whole post...and you know what they say about assuming....

Congratulations!!!!!!! How'd you do it?? I also graduate 5/17/2010...luckily was offered my dream job...and will take the nclex in early august... Where will you work...what unit?? Where are you from..??? Sorry for the continuous questions...just curious...once again congrats!!

hey all!!!! on may 29th i posted a thread basically worrying if i was being stalk-like about a new grad residency program in valley hospital in nj..i received great advice...and followed the calling 1 week rule...so i went to the interview it went great...was supposed to be called back for a 2nd interview and it never happened...in fact the position was given to another candidate....none the less i was completely crushed.....depression big time...i gained 5 pounds in 1 week eating ice cream and doritos... well, when the recruiter called me, well better yet i called her, she set me up on another interview same position different unit... i went to the interview basically in a "whatever" attitude...if i got the job great...if not whatever....i believe i developed this attitude as a defense mechanism...because you guys...i was sooooooooooooooooooooo depressed over not getting the 1st position...and i definetely didn't want to feel like that again..its not worth it... don't get me wrong...although i had the whatever attitude...i still prepared for the interview as i did originally, however i wasn't "stressed" over it...none the less the interview went great!! i interviewed with the director and manager...they had a laid back interview style...at the end of the interview they informed me that they had more interwing to do and that i would know in a couple of weeks.... in my mind i was like yea.. ok.. whatever.. moving on...well the next day...less than 24hrs later...i received a call from my recruiter offering the job!!!! are you freakin kidding me...no way...so after almost passing out from hyperventilation...seriously...i was like yes yes yes i totally accept!!!! can you freakin believe it!!!!! persistence does pay!!!! i got a job!!! thank you all for the support and kind words...its soooo essential to this journey to hear wise words!!!!! xoxoxoxoxo

Thanks everyone for the awesome advice....I will learn as much as I can from this job absorb it and apply it as I move on with my career....I'm still not happy but I will definetely turn this situation into a positive....Thanks for the support!!!!! XOXOXO

thanks so much for the advice....it makes me feel like i have some hope....it's different to talk to your family...then to talk to nurses that just "get it"......i'm sure i will be fine...thanks again for all the advice i will keep on "truckin"

thanks for replying!!! i absolutely do not see myself working to a doctor's office long term...it's definetely not for me..i hate it...there's no variety..it's always a sore throat..uri...uti...and pink eye! i love the hospital...i see myself working in a hospital forever...i am going to take the job and keep applying to hospitals...i'm just scared that even after a year of working in the clinic, i'll be still considered an unexperienced nurse... just venting here....

hi all!!!! well i just graduated in may 2010, still waiting to take the nclex exam, and i was offered a nursing position in the outpatient clinics section for the company i work for.... i know that in this economy especially being a new jersey resident i'm very lucky to have this position, however i really wanted a hospital job.... i figure i will stay there for a year until i find my "dream job"...my question to you guys is...does working as a nurse in basically a doctor's office count as experience??? i'm really feeling down and out...but i feel like i should just be happy...but i'm not... so what do you guys think??? thanks!!! xoxoxoxo:redbeathe:redbeathe

Hi itsmejuli, I've worked at the hospital for 5 years in another position, what makes me so sure that this is the starting pay is speaking to experienced and non experienced nurses in various units....I've heard as low as $32-$36....would I bet my life on it no...but I also doubt 15+ nurses are lying...and living in NJ this pay is pretty norm...cost of living here is ridiculous for absolutely no reason lol...at least that's my opinion...

sunshine9403RN...I work at Valley Hospital in NJ...pretty expensive place to live but luckily I still live with mom...and she's not getting rid of me any time soon hehehehe.... Geeeezzz Maeva...$40/hr...where do you work?? I guess our sleepless nights of studying...dark circles under the eyes...and nights of feeling helpless does pay off....I can't wait for my 1st check!!!!!

hi lovies!! i was just wondering, what did you guys do with your first check?? and how did it feel when you received it?? was it like.."oh yes sooo worth it!!!":lol2: or was it more..."blaaahhhhh":crying2:... i wanted to know because throughout nursing school i've been working as a medical receptionist and making $17/hr pays the bills but its pretty "blah":yawn:...if/when i get hired at my facility as a rn (when i get my licsence)...the starting range is between $32-$34.... when i get my 1st check as an rn i want a new wardrobe:monkeydance:...no more sweats and tees for me!!!! then of course save to buy a house since i'm sure taxes are going to rape me since i have no kids, i own nothing, and i'm 23 years old..... so.....what did you guys do with your hefty or non hefty check???? :hpygrp:

Thanks for the advice all!!!! I truly appreciate them...I'll definitely call once a week till I get an answer...and I'll keep you posted!! Thanks for the good luck vibes!! xoxoxoxo:redpinkhe:)

LOL!!!! You're soooo right....police just dont understand! ....My expectations right now is getting a job to be completely honest...being a new grad living in new jersey is sooo scary right now...competition is fierce!!