msmith

Hi, So sorry to hear that. You were so close too. I am scheduled to take it a week from tomorrow and I am freaking out! My brain is totally fried and I'm not sure what else to study. Were you able to take a review class? Or use any review books. I have heard that the Fitzergerald review book is very helpful.

Hi, Thanks for your posting. And congratulations on passing your exam! I will be taking the ANCC ANP exam exactly two weeks from today and now I am panicking! I have been studying virtually everything I can get my hands on. I met with my study partner today and she seems to think I know my stuff but I still feel quite anxious. I am reviewing the Fitz book and the Leik book. I like the Fitz book better. I have gone through that book twice so far. I also got the zerweck book and have been working through some of the practice questions as well. Just out of curiousity, is there anything else I should be doing to prepare? I just want to be sure I pass...thanks!

Thanks Bmore for your post! That is very helpful to know that especially about the Fitzgerald book. I am using that book for review and I took her online course so hopefully I will pass. I just got the Leik book and the Zerweck book so I think I'm done getting review books. I have just over 5 weeks before my exam.

I was also wondering if anyone out there used their class notes to study for the ANCC ANP exam?

Hi folks, I just registered to take the ANCC ANP exam for a December date which gives me about 6 weeks to prepare. I took the Fitgerald live review and I also have her review book. I also just ordered the Leik book as well. I was wondering if there was any other review book that might be helpful? I have seen mixed reviews on the Hollier book and pretty good reviews on the Zerwekh book. Do you think the Fitzgerald and Leik book are enough or should I order the Zerwekh book as well? Thanks!

I know exactly how you feel. I have had about 5 or 6 interviews in the last 6 months and still no job yet. They all seem so promising at the interview but for whatever, I am not getting any offers. I graduated in July and am waiting to take boards soon so we'll see. Keep at it and something is bound to come up. Also, I would recommend posting your resume on MDjobsite.com. Hope that helps! :)

Thank you for your reply. Yes, it helps to know that. I just got a letter today from ANCC letting me know that my application is under review. So, at least I know what's going on. I'm just frustrated with the job search. I didn't think it would be this hard to get an NP job. Hopefully I will hear back from one place this week.

Hi folks, just trying to get an idea of how long it will be before I can get my NP license. I graduated in late July, 2009. The ANCC recieved my packet on 8/21/09. I called them today and they told me it will be 6 to 8 weeks before I hear back from them. Does it really take that long? They verified that my information was received and at this point they don't need anything else from me. I'm trying to get a time frame because I'm interviewing for different NP jobs right now and would like to know about what time I would be an available NP with a license. I'm strictly referring to the ANCC, not the AANP as I believe the AANP does't take as long to test for.

Thanks BCgradnurse for your response and your post. Makes me want to move to Massachusetts in a way. But not ready to leave my home city of Chicago just yet. I agree that more of the specialty areas are harding places for NPs to find work. I guess at this point it's just a waiting game. I'm going to focus on studying for the ANCC exam and I'm starting a new RN position with an endocrinology practice in a couple of weeks. I think that should be good experience. Hopefully so, anyway. In the meantime, I will just keep looking.

Hey BCgradnurse, That's very interesting. So you did an FNP program while I did an ANP program. I am wondering if that's part of my problem. Where do you live? Out here in Chicago, there aren't too many openings for ANPs, but for FNP's the job market seems a little better especially with these minute clinics having openings for FNPs. But I have to say that that's not the job I would want after freshly graduating even if I was an FNP. Too, I think the job market for midlevel providers is quite saturated out here in Chicago and there really aren't too many openings. And I don't want to do OB/GYN or ONC. My specialty is cardiac. I am so discouraged right now especially after hearing stories where NPs started working before testing. I just don't think that's going to be me. I'm starting to wonder if I'll ever be an NP.

Hey Jimbo, Thank you for your response. Sorry to hear about all of the hassles the VA has given you about finding work. I am not involved in the VA in any way at the present time. I actually did my primary care clinical at the VA this past summer and it went pretty well. I did look into some job openings there, but they were bent on me having my certification first before applying, but they did tell me that they were open to hiring new grads with experience. That is out here in Chicago (Hines and Jesse Brown VAs). Anyways, I hope that you are able to find the full time work that you desire. Let us know how it goes! :) And NP Gilly, thanks for sharing your story too. I think it's great that you were offered a job before certification. However, I think things have changed quite a bit since 2004 in terms of NPs finding work without licensure. I have gone on a few interviews (about three for full time NP positions). None of which have come through at this point in time. I am still very hopeful that I will be able to find something. In the mean time, I have accepted a position working in an endocrinology office as an RN whereby I don't have to work weekends or nights like I am doing so right now at the hospital I am employed for. I think that will good experience too, having that background working with diabetes patients. Tomorrow my ANCC application goes out in the mail and we'll see how long it takes to get confirmation of receipt and notification to test. It will be very interesting.

Hi all, I just graduated from an ANP progrom 3 weeks ago and had a question for all you practiting NPs. Were you hired before passing your test and gaining licensure or after gaining licensure? Also, how long was it before you were able to take the ANCC test after you had graduated? I am discovering that finding a job has been rather challenging since I haven't even taken my test and I don't have my license yet. Is it just me or does this process take forever? Between the horrible job market right now, no employers showing any interest at all and waiting to take this test, things can be kind of discouraging.

so I do have another interview, but it's not anywhere near Chicago. There's a practice in TX that's very interested in meeting me so looks like I will be taking a trip down there next month. I'm kind of excited. I'm not exactly enthralled with the idea of moving, but if that's where the job is... and it's a good opportunity, then it just might be the thing for me.

Yes, I also feel as though this process is taking FOREVER! I feel like I've been in school for an eternity and now I have to wait until the cows come home for my testing and licensure, etc. This is enough to make anybody crazy.

Hi BCgradnurse, Congrats on your new position. Yes, I will keep my fingers crossed for you on monday. Good to know that jobs seem plentiful where you are. I am still struggling to find a position, but hopefully something will come my way soon. Good luck to you and let us know how it goes.