How to Study For APRN Boards!
TIPS ON HOW TO STUDY FOR BOARDS AND TEST TAKING SKILLS
Photography by Anaise Prince for Hartford Prints!
I remember preparing for the NCLEX in 2013. I was a huge ball of nerves. The dean of nursing had dedicated every spring quarter to ensuring that senior graduating nursing students would be successful at passing boards. With that being said, we went through an intensive course to ensure our success. At the end of the semester, we took a practice course that would help gauge our readiness for the NCLEX. You would then meet with the dean one on one to determine a prescription for your NCLEX plan. Vividly, I remember her encouraging me to spend two weeks studying 8a-5p or 9a-6p with 10 minute breaks every hour and a one hour lunch break in preparation for the test. After writing my exam, I was relieved but also incredibly anxious. I don’t remember the drive home but I do remember feeling like I was outside of body. My whole life depended on my passing. I carried that anxiety but also that rigorous nature of studying all through until I was bound to write APRN boards. Scroll down for more…
“I found a solid study group and together we motivated each other for success. My success was directly linked to their success as we held each other up more times than I could count.”
Grad school was a beast. It was a different kind of animal. I felt babysat throughout undergrad in comparison to the expectations of graduate school. Your success completely depends on you and your motivation. I found a solid study group and together we motivated each other for success. My success was directly linked to their success as we held each other up more times than I could count. Toward the end of our final semester, my entire cohort essentially signed up to take the Fitzgerald review course in Massachusetts. We booked accommodation at the hotel that was hosting the company conducting the review course. For 2.5 days or so, we went to class 8-5 and a half day the last day. For $600-$700 or so, I got a book, the live class (now livestream), and access to modules after. I knew that I was going to have the most hectic summer every with graduation and my wedding so I needed to be extra prepared.
“With that said, congratulations to the class of 2021.”
I took the summer off until the wedding to focus on working and raising enough money for my wedding and then took the week after my wedding off, booked my exam, and studied like I did for the NCLEX 9a-6p 6 days a week for 1.5 weeks and wrote my board exam. The biggest most important advice I received was to study the Fitzgerald book only and nothing else. If I were to add to that, I would say, study the book absolutely, but after every section, complete the online module to make that information, STICK. Lastly, the modules at the end of the sections that are like ‘extra credit’, those were GOLD. I can’t tell you how many of those questions came up on the test. Finally, some of us are poor test takers. It does not preclude our intelligence but in addition to learning the material, you have to learn to take tests. The best advice I can give is X-ing out what is inarguably incorrect, and leaving potentially correct answers. If you get stumped, you have the option to flag a question and come back to it later. Feeling unsure can break down your confidence, but if you skip and come back, it gives your confidence time to reboost and recharge. With that said, congratulations to the class of 2021. You all had the most unpredictable end to your program and yet here you are. Let that strength, courage, and flexibility be your guide as you move forward as new nurse practitioners. Cheers to that and big bisous!
