Frogger511

I took the test at the end of January and passed! Boy am I glad that's over!! I start my new job in 2 weeks!!

I took the AANP Family test. I can't say that any studying I did was even close to what I recall the test being (I recall VERY little from the exam). I do remember that there were questions I could answer with ease and others that I did the best I could after confidently narrowing it down to 2 answers, unsure of which was the best. I don't believe I over studied or under studied, but also am not sure I focused all my energy on the right stuff. Overall, just realize that a good deal of studying will be helpful to you in practice - none of it is wasteful. Also, don't underestimate the difficulty of the exam by not studying at all. And the best thing I did for myself the day before the test was to put all studying materials away and got a pedicure, full-body massage and lunch with a friend, focusing a great deal on trigger points! It was a great way to relax the muscles that had become so stressed while studying! Best of luck!!

First of all, I can't send private messages....not sure why. The review book I'm talking about is a bounded book listed on Amazon for $51.70 (current price). ISBN 0803621329. This book doesn't come with CDs. The CDs can be purchased from Fitzgerald's website and cost around $420 (2010 version) or $446 (2011 version). I like the review book better because I can pick and choose how long I spend on each subject. However, had I started listening to the CDs sooner, I would have liked them too. I listened to them briefly during clinicals, but am running out of time, so I had to move on to the book so I could get through something. I take boards too soon and only have a few days off of work to finish studying. I'm not doing very well on the practice questions. So, it'll see if all the hours I've spent studying pay off. But I'm trying to stay positive. So - I will take and pass boards very soon! Signing out for awhile. I hope this helps.

I agree that I wouldn't spend a fortune on resources, but at ~ $50, I think Fitzgerald's book that I referenced before (ISBN 0803621329) is a great resource and well worth the money spent. I only wish I had gotten it sooner and definitely intend to use it as a reference in practice. I also have her CD's and felt a bit more overwhelmed at listening to those as a means to study for boards. I did listen to them some throughout clinicals and found them helpful. But at the high cost, I wouldn't suggest that they are necessary.

I have scheduled the AANP Family practice exam and am now experiencing the most anxiety I've ever had. I didn't even study for the NCLEX and don't remember worrying about it - figured if I didn't know the information by then, I probably wouldn't learn it by cramming. I passed the first time, taking 85 questions. So, why now am I approaching panic?! I am spending hours each day studying (which is not like me at all) and not feeling any relief that it's going to be okay. I can't wait to be on the other side and able to tell people that "you'll do fine." I've heard that so many times that I think it's having the wrong effect on me - increasing my anxiety. Any last words of wisdom as I quickly approach the exam date...?!?!

I would recommend using her review book through clinicals. I am taking the AANP exam in a short while and which I had started the review much sooner as it would have helped me GREATLY and prevented the cramming I feel like I'm doing now! I have her CD's (which are a recording of her live seminar with a book that goes exactly with the CD's) and her review book. I personally like the book a little better. The format is efficient - questions, answers, then review of the topic you just answered questions about. It's nice to get a feel for how well you know the information before you review the topic so you can better know your weaknesses. I also ordered Hollier's book with just questions and answers. I haven't started using it, but have heard that it's good to use one book to study and another to answer questions. Gives you a little more to work with since one author typically writes questions on the same stuff he/she reviews...maybe even asking the questions just a little different will help solidify the information in your brain. Anyhow, best of luck! I'm frantically preparing for boards and just hope what I'm doing is good enough!

I'm graduating from an FNP program on Saturday. I'm planning to take the AANP certification exam. I've got the Fitzgerald board review program (includes book plus audio from her live conference). I'm very nervous to take boards, though I do feel ready for entry-level practice. Does anyone have any opinions whether this board review is a good one on its own? Also, does anyone have any opinions regarding any reasons for taking the ANCC exam instead? Thanks!!