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.

Hi BCgradnurse, That's great that you are able to work license pending! I wish I was in your shoes. What state are you in? Did you do ANP, FNP? And out of curiosity, where will you be working? Here in IL, I think we can start license pending. It just it just depends on the workplace. I graduate July 24th and I will start the paper work process that day. I think it's great too, you are taking boards just less than 2 months after you graduated. Thanks for sharing. It helps to know there are others out there and your news to me is very encouraging!

I can't believe I have to wait that long. I really need a new job now. I know things will get better once I'm completely done with school in a couple of weeks because I will have more time to actually look for a job. I had several phone interviews with a practice in TX so we'll see. I am open to relocating. I just can't get over how bad things are right now in terms of the job market. I feel like I'm stuck and can't get out.

Yes, I can relocate. Would you be able to PM me those positions in TX and Duke? Thanks!

Anywone wanna listen? I decided to go back to school 6 years ago and pursue and career in nursing and was hoping one day to work as a nurse practitioner. Well, now I am getting ready to graduate with my NP only to my dismay that there are no jobs out there or if there are, I guess I'm just not a candidate. I have had some interviews but still nothing. I decided to do the ANP with a cardiac focus. I have sent my resume everywhere. AND NOW, I am stuck in this dead end staff RN position in a hospital that is only part-time (I had to go part-time for school) and I will never be able to work there full time because the hospital I am employed for is doing absolutely horrible financially. We're talking major layoffs, including nurses. So, I'm stuck working PT in this dead end job. School ends in three weeks. I don't have a job lined up and the prospects are awful right now. And, to make matters worse, I have a huge mortgage to pay. I just never thought nursing would be doing as bad as it seems. I don't know what it is, but nurse and nurse practitioner jobs are very hard to come by now, even where I live in the Chicagoland area. Now, I am second guessing myself and wishing I had done something different even though I like being a nurse. I am thinking of just taking a nurse job in a doctor's office but even that is hard to get. The economy is just so bad right now and I think nursing is feeling it too. What's worse is this dead end RN job has been just awful, so stressful making me work many weekends and taking a huge toll on me mentally, physically and emotionally. I just can't do this anymore and I feel as though I've neared the end of my rope. Any thoughts, suggestions?

So, I went for that interview last monday and today is thursday and I still haven't heard anything yet. I was wondering how long is one supposed to follow up after the interview. I've been told anywhere from 5 to 10 days. I don't want to be pushy, but I really want this job. I sent a thank you note in mail and they should have received by today. Should I wait until tomorrow? next week? What do you all think?

Thanks everybody for all the great feedback! I feel much more encouraged about this. Tomorrow is my big day where I get to interview for the position I really want. Hopefully, something will pan out.

Hi folks, I will be graduating next month and am currently looking for a cardiology NP position. I was just wondering how many NPs out there actually got hired license pending? Also, how common is it for a private practice to do that? Do some NPs get hired before they take their boards? Do some practices pay for NPs to be oriented during this "waiting period" ? I am just wondering because I don't know how interested employers will be in me without a license. At the same time, I do have an interview this monday with a private cardiology practice.

nurselele05, Congratulations to you! That is so exciting! When do you start? It's really tough to land a great job in this difficult market. How did you find out about the position? I will be graduating next month and have been searching for a job. It doesn't look promising right now, although I do have an interview this coming monday with a private cardiology group. I had sent my resume last week and they confirmed they received it on saturday and called me on monday for an interview. They do seem interested so hopefully, something will pan out. I wish you the best in your new NP job!

Wow that sounds awesome about Iowa! Makes me wanna move there. I wish other states would follow suit. In time, hopefully they will.

I can sorta relate. I am finishing up my ANP now and will graduate in July. I am looking for jobs as well and so far haven't found anything. I am hoping once I am licensed that this will be an easier process. But then again, who knows, with the economy the way it is, we can never be too sure.