tnrgrl

To update my post from November 2011, I took and passed the AANP FNP exam one month ago today. I was reviewing the posts from the past six months and all I will say is that I studied all of the same material that all of you did and I too was a good student in school--it sounds like no different than any of you who did not pass on your first try. The exam was extremely difficult and to be honest, I do not know what I would have done differently to study again had I not passed. Many of the questions were not ones that I could have studied any differently for. I did not feel confident about alot of it. I will say that the one thing that helped me quite a bit when I got stuck was to disect the questions and try to methodically pick apart each answer as the reviewers did during the review classes. And to you, Duckfan23, I too did poorly on the practice questions so I quit taking them. I instead just concentrated on studying the review materials from the review course that I took (Barkely) and when I was confident with that, I listened to Fitzgerald's tapes. I really tried not to go in too many directions with the studying because it started to make me crazy. I, instead tried t stay focused and organized. Be confident. You can do this! I know that the studying part is gruesome because it seemed for me as if it would never end but it did. Hang in there! Wishing you the best!

I agree with the other comments regarding getting your ACNP. In an FNP review certification review course that I recently took the lecturer pointed out that scope of care for an FNP does not cover the critical care environment even though many of us have had extensive RN experience in that setting. As an FNP, our training and scope does not cover management of patients in critical care. I am also a cardiovascular CNS but cannot step into an acute NP role I am told because of the scope of practice limitations of the FNP. You may want to investigate this issue before deciding on your next course of action. I am considering an ACNP post-masters program myself.

I am taking the AANP exam in early January and am trying to prepare based on the reading I have done from prior posts. While I am a decent test taker, I have no idea how I will do. I actually graduated from a post-masters program in 1996 if you can believe that and am finally getting around to getting certified! It wasn't really required when I finished school and I had a job ready for me. Sorry I have waited so long--so much to review and much has changed. After reading the posts from all of you who have passed and not passed I am determined to move ahead no matter what happens. I have a couple of NP friends who didn't pass the first time and one didn't pass the first two times but all are now certified and working in NP jobs. So to all who didn't pass the first time..... hang in there. You will make it. I know many NPs and all have made it. We can all do it! Good luck to all.

I'm not sure where you live but here is a website that is pretty helpful with rankings for NP programs and UCSF comes out with high marks for several specialty areas. I know one of the faculty members and understand why they are highly ranked. I believe they also have some online options. I'm a UCLA grad from the late 90's and know that they have some outstanding faculty members there as well. Good luck with your decision. http://www.nursepractitionerprogramguides.org/

Congratulations and best of luck to you!

Dear NP grads, I just found this page....so happy I did. Thanks to all for the study tips. I'm a post-masters FNP grad from 1997 and just taking my cert exam!! Now I'm very nervous. Back then certification wasn't really emphasized. Been working in many areas but you'd be surprised at what you don't know when you sit down to study for an exam. Any input on finding a study group online or in person? I took Barkley's class over the summer but won't be testing until early Jan '12 and from earlier posts I see that others found Barkley's materials to be insufficient. Thanks.