On Track

Since my last entry I've been trying to stick to the typical advice of studying every day, if only for 15 minutes, just to stay on track. On many levels, I feel like I needed a break after completing a difficult and demanding program. This should be a breeze, right? I have just one more test to take. Studying for the boards is a lot different than studying for a final. I feel like I am trying to do less memorizing and more taking in and recalling as much information as I can so that I can answer 125 questions and pass. Also I don't have a fixed deadline. I get to choose my test date, which I don't even have official approval for. I have a time frame in mind, and once I start working I would like to be board certified as soon as possible so that I can start seeing patients. 

This all being said, I feel like I am still in vacation mode. I am actually on vacation visiting my college friend and feeling like I want to give myself a good solid break before working full time (who knows when my next vacation will be!). BUT, I am sticking to studying every day, and that is keeping me motivated and connected to my goal of passing the boards.

I have been sticking to the Fitzgerald review books (the published guide and the workbook from the prep class I took). So far so good. I am on the tail end of reviewing peds which does require some memorizing. This part is challenging for me because I need to keep the milestones in my head (when kids can sit up with support, on their own, crawl, walk, etc). I am pretty sure there will be at least 1 question on this and I want to get this right. Also peds has not been my forte and an area where I have not had a strong clinical placement (mine was at a CVS minute clinic where I saw kids with ear infections) so I didn't get a strong well-child experience. My goal for this (to be honest) is to know this stuff for the boards and move on. I don't plan on, don't feel trained or comfortable taking care of small children. So, I am tackling my weakest subject first, then moving on.

I think maternity will be my next topic, probably starting tomorrow. 

The Beginning

This blog is my way of staying motivated in studying for and ultimately passing the ANCC boards to become licenced as a family nurse practitioner (FNP) in the state of Massachusetts. It is a sequel to my other blog, Hopes and Fears in Tackling the NCLEX. I very recently graduated with an MSN and was recently hired for my very first job as an FNP. So, I really need to pass this thing in the most efficient way possible. Part of that is staying motivated, which can be difficult when time is unstructured. If you are reading this, maybe you are in the same situation. I am open to hearing your thoughts on how you stay motivated.

I have taken and passed/done well on several major exams in my life (the SAT, GRE, PCAT, and NCLEX) and know the stresses of test taking. When I was studying for the NCLEX blogging about it helped keep me on track. I also had a lot of good review materials. This time, I went on allnurses.com and read about some review books, most specifically the Leik book and Margaret Fitzgerald's prep book. I also was fortunate enough to take the Fitzerald review class over a weekend which was excellent. I also was lucky enough to hear a lot about passing the boards from several co-workers who I work with as a nurse, the NPs I work with as well as my preceptors and faculty. Many of them said it was easy and that I will be fine. I am confident but have a healthy dose of humility. And if you are in health care, you know that it doesn't take a lot to remind you of how much there is to know out there. That being said, this is a blog about the preparation for the board exam, and not a review of all that a new NP needs to know. I completed a very rigorous program at Simmons College and have accepted a position working for a very intelligent and great teacher. So, my goal in the next few weeks is to learn what I need to know and to pass the boards with flying colors! Welcome to my journey!!