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2 fhea.com Fitzgerald Health Education Associates, Inc., December 2014 Approximately what percentage of the national NP certification exam must I answer correctly to pass? In my practice quizzes, I keep scoring 75% to 90%. Do not give the percentage you need to get correct to pass the NP boards a second thought. That is a negative self-message to give at this critical point, since you are in essence giving yourself permission to perform at a minimally acceptable level. Rather, think, Does my performance on these exams reflect a firm grasp of the knowledge base needed to be a safe, entry- level NP and the ability to apply this knowledge base in the clinical scenario? That is the question you need to ask. What is your answer to that question? This is the best way to approach the exam. Is there a difference in terms of content between the AGNP and FNP exams from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Pro- gram (AANPCP) and American Nurses Credential- ing Center (ANCC)? For either exam from the AANPCP or ANCC, you will answer approximately 140 clinically focused ques- tions that count towards your final score. Because the questions cover the breadth and depth of the knowl- edge base needed for safe, entry-level NP practice, they are on a wide variety of topics, with just 1 to 3 questions focused on any given area (eg, hyperten- sion, lipids, community-acquired pneumonia). With the ANCC exam, you will also have approximately 35 questions on professional issues. Once you success- fully pass either exam, you are considered a board- certified NP. The Fitzgerald NP certification review courses are suitable for AANPCP and ANCC exams. What is the best approach to studying for the NP certification exam—system by system, disorders and specific treatment? The best way to study is conceptually, honing your analysis, synthesis, and critical thinking skills as well as those required for clinical application of this in- formation. Think pathophysiology, how this pres- ents clinically, what (if any) testing is needed to support the potential diagnosis, how intervention modifies the disease's pathophysiology, what is the anticipated outcome, and how to evaluate for treat- ment outcome. I will soon be graduating from my NP program and have several questions about the certification exam. • Which state should I take the exam in—the state where my NP program is located or the state where I expect to be employed? The NP certification exams are nationally recognized tests, and therefore it does not matter what state you take the exam in. • Which certifying agency provides your results most rapidly? You will get preliminary results at the end of the ex- am regardless of the certifying body. • Can I take the exam before my degree is officially conferred? Yes, you can take the exam pending graduation if you have all your course work done (for example, course work complete on May 1, degree conferred on May 15, you can take exam in that two-week peri- od), but your official results will not be released until you provide evidence that your degree was granted. While this is tempting, make sure you have allowed enough time from the end of your program to your exam date to study well! • I understand you need to sit for boards within 6 months of graduation. Is this true? You do not need to sit for boards within 6 months of graduation, but keep in mind that this is a test of en- try-level NP practice that dictates whether you can practice or not. My advice is to plan on sitting for boards within a few months of graduation rather than delaying. INTERVIEWING I had an interview today that I feel didn't go well. I was really hoping that I would be offered this po- sition; it seemed ideal with great pay, support, re- sources, benefits, etc. However, my mind went Certification Q&A;