Selecting Fitzgerald studying guide

kyboyrn · Mar 8, 2011

I highly recommend going to one of the live seminars if you can, or doing the online seminar. I did the online seminar/review. It was pretty expensive (350 bucks I think) but it was the ONLY preparation I used for the AANP exam other than school obviously. I started it 2 to 3 days before (I wanted the material to be fresh on my mind). I WOULD NOT recommend this as I had to fly through some of it to complete it, and I'm not sure that I did, but I feel that it more than adequatley prepared me. Although I'm an expert of procrastination, you really cannot start soon enough preparing for the exam. Remember though, your program is preparing you for the exam, studying for tests and clinical is preparing you for the exam, clinicals are preparing you for the exam, etc. Everything you learn will be beneficial in preparing you for your certification exam, because you never know what will pop up. One little tidbit, and don't study by this, but everyone I know, including myself, seemed to have quite a few dermatology questions. I don't know if it will be that way for everyone. Like I said, don't live by it or anything (not that anyone would, lol), but it seems like everyone I've talked to, and I noticed it on my AANP exam, had quite a few derm questions. I do think that any of the Fitzgerald material is great. I had the Fitzgerald review book but never used it, but looking at it I can see it would be a great resource. I highly, highly recommend the seminar/review or the online seminar/review. Like I said, it was the only prep I used other than my general NP education, and I felt I was more than prepared for the certificaiton exam. I've also said this several times (just a few minutes ago on another post) but be confident! You are obviously smart, as is any graduate/student of an FNP program (we're about as close to a doctor as we could get without being a doctor, lol, j/k) but trust in what you've learned, and study hard, and make the most of your clinical experiences. Over 90 percent of people pass, and for those that have read my other posts, you're probably tired of hearing it and I'm being redundant, but based on the fact that 9 out of every 10 people pass that take the test, that should give you some confidence!!!! That's because FNP graduates, or any advanced practice nurse, or nurses in general, are bright, intelligent, well-prepared clinicians. Chances are if you properly prepare, you are most likely gonna pass. If you believe in yourself, it goes a long way towards you walking out of that test with a hugh smile on your face because that last screen said that you have passed your exam. Do well in school, adequately prepare, and you'll pass the first time. If you don't pass the first time, just do what they want you to do, take it again, and you're gonna be fine. Do NOT think that way. Go in thinking you are in that 90 or more percent, and you're gonna pass that test the first time. I've always done that with standardized tests, cert. exams (ACT, GRE, NCLEX, AANP certification exam) and I've always done well. I'm not a genius, but I'm confident. I convince myself it's impossible that I'm in that 10 percent that's gonna fail, and I really belive in the power of positive thought, and I belive that nurses are extraordinarily intelligent professionals!!!! :yeah:

Frogger511 · Mar 9, 2011

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!!

kimsherr00 · Mar 9, 2011

Thank you for the information. I am doing an online program and feel that I am not as smart/good as the on campus students. Clinicals have been rough trying to put what I have learned into practice. The pharmacology is the worse. Again, thank you so much and I will go in positive. I love positive affirmations.

kimsherr00 · Mar 11, 2011

It seems like alot of NP's take the AANP exam because of the ease of getting an appointment.