Well, you have made it! You are completing your course of NP study. This has likely been one of the most challenging tasks you have ever taken on. Now, on to certification! Here are questions that are commonly raised about NP certification preparation.

There is so much to review! Where do I start with my study?

Start with reading the materials from your certifying agency. The exam candidates’ information booklets usually contain a detailed summary of the exam content. This should give you an idea about your certification exam. Exam content will likely be very broad, as is primary care practice. Recognize that the content of the exam reflects the mix of patients that may come through the door of an average practice over an extended period of time, such as a year, rather than the mix you see in an average day. For example, you can expect as much testing on diabetes mellitus, the most common of endocrine problems, as on thyroid dysfunction, a distant second in its frequency.

You likely have a number of helpful study aids at hand already. Here are some that may already be on your bookshelf. 

A high-level health assessment text such as Bates, Jarvis, or Siedel.  Reviewing common normal and abnormal findings during the health history and physical examination is a great place to start your study.

Use your class notes from graduate school. You put a significant amount of time and effort into recording this resource. Remember, this is your personal interpretation of study and faculty

I heard from a friend that the exam was very focused on certain area. Should I concentrate my study on this particular subject?

Once again, remember this is a generalist’s exam. The NP who reports that the certification exam was “all one subject” likely recalls only the areas which he/she had the most difficulty. In addition, exam questions change frequently. Focusing study as a result of a colleague’s advise such as this is likely more harmful than helpful.

I need help deciding when should I take a review course.

Each person has different learning needs, of course. However, you will notice that our courses are usually scheduled a number of weeks prior to the respective exams. This is to allow for needed continued, focused study after the review course, thus increasing the likelihood of success in achieving certification.

People take the Fitzgerald Health Education Associates NP Certification Review and Practice Preparation Course at various times prior to the exam. Here are some examples of the different times and benefits to each:

The early reviewer. 

This is usually the NP student attending review prior to or during the last clinical rotation, with certification exam between 3-12 months in the future. This group tells us that the course helps to pull together the enormous amount of new information they have gathered during the NP program. Added bonus is the ability to apply the knowledge gained as a result of review in the clinical area during their final clinical rotations.

The new or soon-to-be NP graduate attending review within 1-3 months of the certification exam. 

This group tells us that the course helps them to organize their thoughts and new knowledge base without the pressures of school. In addition, the course helps to clarify difficult concepts and direct study just prior to the exam. Also, this group invariably tells us that they are very happy that they took their course a number of weeks prior to the exam in order to allow for further study.

The NP who is currently in practice but not currently certified. 

This group tells us that the course is helpful in focusing study toward the content areas of the exam. Since the NP board certification exams are geared toward the entry level NP, the review course helps the experienced NP look at clinical situations from the view of a novice, avoiding the “yes, but” view of scenarios that the seasoned NP develops with practice.

How can I find out more about the Fitzgerald Health Education Associates NP Certification Exam Review and Practice Preparation Courses?

Click here for Certification Review Courses

Click here for information about NP Board Certification

This article originally appeared in my quarterly certification column in Advance for Nurse Practitioners and is made available here by the courtesy of Advance. For other articles of interest to Nurse Practitioners, be sure to subscribe to this outstanding journal