Qualifying Exams for NP

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megsMS

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Can someone please post what has to be done to become an NP? What does it take to apply and get in to a program? Are there any national standardized tests that you have to pass? Or does each program just have their own departmental tests? Any info would be appreciated.
 
Thank you, but this does not give any information about any national standardized tests required for practice. For example, medical students must pass the USMLE Steps 1 & 2 to graduate medical school. Are there any standardized tests at all that have to be taken and passed before beginning practice as an NP?
 
So, you are just trying to stir up trouble. I thought as much. I'm willing to bet that you already know the answers to your questions. If you don't, you must certainly know how to perform a simple search.

Sorry I even bothered. 🙄 Shame on you for being trollish, and shame on me for having taken the bait.
 
Actually, no, I was not trying to stir up trouble. I honestly want an answer. My searches have so far returned nothing in the area of national standardized tests. I thought I would post here so people who may have actually gone through the process can post replies.

However, I believe that your reluctance to give a decent answer simply shows embarrassment on your part. I believe that because you will not state it directly, you do realize how little standardized testing nurse practitioners have to do in order to practice.

On the subject of stirring up trouble, again the answer is no. I am finished with "stirring up trouble" on this particular forum because no one here matters unless they are an M.D. who is fighting the scope of nurse practitioners. I know this will provoke anger and heated replies, but this is not only my stance, but the stance of the AMA as well. I only post my opinions on this matter on M.D. forums because they are the ones who will fight.

As I have said on many M.D. forums, and as others have said as well, why would a group of people (in this case, nurse practitioners) think they are doing anything wrong if the people in charge of them (other nurses and nurse practitioners, due to the fact that in all but 8 states NPs are governed by the states' Boards of Nursing, not the Boards of Medicine) do not even have people telling them that what they are doing is inappropriate? Surely you can see the dilemma. So no, I no longer post on this forum (to "stir up trouble") because I know that no one, unless they are M.D.s, will see my point.

(For those of you who will argue my points, yes, I know that not every M.D. feels this way. However, the vast majority do. Just go research the AMA's stance on this issue.)

fab4fan said:
So, you are just trying to stir up trouble. I thought as much. I'm willing to bet that you already know the answers to your questions. If you don't, you must certainly know how to perform a simple search.

Sorry I even bothered. 🙄 Shame on you for being trollish, and shame on me for having taken the bait.
Click to expand...
 
I believe there are actually 2 standardized tests for np's of which only 1(either 1) needs to be passed.this is because there are 2 different certifying agencies and any np grad is eligible for both tests.
 
Thank you for your serious reply. It is appreciated.

emedpa said:
I believe there are actually 2 standardized tests for np's of which only 1(either 1) needs to be passed.this is because there are 2 different certifying agencies and any np grad is eligible for both tests.
Click to expand...
 
Look these up:

American Academy of Nurse Practitioners

American College of Nurse Practitioners

American Nurses Credentialing Center
 
Actually, I am not at all embarrassed. I just don't want to get sucked into another pointless debate about NPs, which is what your post looked like you were hoping for.

NPs must pass certification through ANCC; that's nursing's national credentialing agency.

I hope that's sufficient for you.
 
megsMS said:
Actually, no, I was not trying to stir up trouble. I honestly want an answer. My searches have so far returned nothing in the area of national standardized tests. I thought I would post here so people who may have actually gone through the process can post replies.

However, I believe that your reluctance to give a decent answer simply shows embarrassment on your part. I believe that because you will not state it directly, you do realize how little standardized testing nurse practitioners have to do in order to practice.

On the subject of stirring up trouble, again the answer is no. I am finished with "stirring up trouble" on this particular forum because no one here matters unless they are an M.D. who is fighting the scope of nurse practitioners. I know this will provoke anger and heated replies, but this is not only my stance, but the stance of the AMA as well. I only post my opinions on this matter on M.D. forums because they are the ones who will fight.

As I have said on many M.D. forums, and as others have said as well, why would a group of people (in this case, nurse practitioners) think they are doing anything wrong if the people in charge of them (other nurses and nurse practitioners, due to the fact that in all but 8 states NPs are governed by the states' Boards of Nursing, not the Boards of Medicine) do not even have people telling them that what they are doing is inappropriate? Surely you can see the dilemma. So no, I no longer post on this forum (to "stir up trouble") because I know that no one, unless they are M.D.s, will see my point.

(For those of you who will argue my points, yes, I know that not every M.D. feels this way. However, the vast majority do. Just go research the AMA's stance on this issue.)
Click to expand...

So in other words, your real point for posting this was yet another anti-NP rant, not that you genuinely wanted to know how NPs were credentialed so that you could read the information and give it some thought.

I'm more than aware of how some MDs feel about NPs; I am also aware that many MDs, at least in my area, utilize them and everyone seems to get along fairly well. That's the real world anyway, not a message board world.

I'm glad you've been able to find others who are sympathetic to your anti-NP sentiments, though.

(Since you stated you were "through" with posting on this forum on this issue, what was your point again? Oh yeah, never mind...)
 
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At first I was thinking I would give you some info but then I looked at the responses and I reviewed the OP's posts. All of them. I welcome others to do the same if they think this was just an 'honest inquiry'.

I realize that you don't like NP's. That's okay. Please refer to the previous posting of 'the grass is always greener' for how professionals should stay professional, stop the bashing and move on.

Jeepers Meg, gas prices are 3 bucks a gallon, the nation is at war, and Brad and Angelina are about to birth a baby. (oh my god...i hope they don't use a midwife or anything crazy). Life goes on beyond this forum.

Let's just get over it. You have made your point clear in previous posts and I don't think anyone on this forum really wants to get into a pissing contest with you.
 
lizzied2003 said:
Jeepers Meg, gas prices are 3 bucks a gallon, the nation is at war, and Brad and Angelina are about to birth a baby. (oh my god...i hope they don't use a midwife or anything crazy). Life goes on beyond this forum.
Click to expand...


And Britney is preggers AGAIN.............and had to consult with a private pediatrician, who informed her that it was not a good idea to place her child on top of high areas unattended. I wonder if he mentioned the child seat issue as well............There are bigger problems in this world, one of which happens to involve TWO loads of laundry I need to fold. (which would be time better spent)

(To OP) You know, if you find people (be them NPs, MD's, PA's, CPA's, Chefs, Esq's) inferior to your skills and training, then you have nothing to worry about, because your personal skill will garner your more respect, more money and more satisfaction, then putting someone else down. Why are you SCURRRRED??
 
It's amazing to me that NP's become the equivilant of rabid dogs when asked about their standardized exams. The OP was not originally asking anything wrong.
 
Thank you; I completely agree with this statement. I believe that the next time I want to ask a question about NPs I will definitely avoid dealing with NPs at all. I am sorry to have to make a generalization, but the people who are pro-NP that post on this forum are seriously way too uptight. And they wonder why we end up judging them.

corpsmanUP said:
It's amazing to me that NP's become the equivilant of rabid dogs when asked about their standardized exams. The OP was not originally asking anything wrong.
Click to expand...
 
megsMS said:
Thank you; I completely agree with this statement. I believe that the next time I want to ask a question about NPs I will definitely avoid dealing with NPs at all. I am sorry to have to make a generalization, but the people who are pro-NP that post on this forum are seriously way too uptight. And they wonder why we end up judging them.
Click to expand...

I completely agree with you statement too. You should stay away from NP's. You don't like them. I hardly think the responses were equivilant to a rabid dog but were rather realistic given your previous stated opinions.

However, regarding your comment about judging, in general i rarely see anyone on this forum (midlevel) judging physicians. yet I frequently find aspiring docs who feel the need to spread bad feelings. I'm not sure what the motivation is except perhaps so someone can feel superior. It's tiring, it's discouraging, immature and and breeds bad feelings.

I hope that one day meg you find some sort of peace and resolution with this very important issue. Clearly, it weighs on you. Don't let it get to you.

I can't believe Brittney's pregnant? Can you?
 
lizzied2003 said:
I hope that one day meg you find some sort of peace and resolution with this very important issue. Clearly, it weighs on you. Don't let it get to you.
Click to expand...

Yes, if Meg had a session of Zen Shiatsu with me she would be a new person...I've helped quite a few docs, LOL!
 
Hey Meg!
Free acupuncture session here to help with Anti-NP disorder.
Yes, it does work. And it works well!

Have Fun 😀 :laugh:
 
megsMS said:
Can someone please post what has to be done to become an NP? What does it take to apply and get in to a program? Are there any national standardized tests that you have to pass? Or does each program just have their own departmental tests? Any info would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

Just to go back to the original question. As a NP you have to originally pass the NELEX (the national certification for nurses). This exam gives you a RN. (Remember all NP's are RN's first). Then to get the NP you have to take another exam that is different state to state but is nationally recognized. The reason for the differing exams is to represent the different laws each state has on what an NP can/cannot do during their practice.
 
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.......................
 
To all those on here who posted serious replies, thank you. Your answers will definitely help with my research.

I have never denied my feelings about nurse practitioners. I am open and honest about them even with attendings and residents. I have found that generally my feelings are shared.

To the people who posted replies that were nonsensical as well as those that pointed out my feelings on nurse practitioners, you have done yourselves a disservice. I am sure that it would be your goal to convert people like me to being pro-N.P., but all you have done is let me know how right I am. All you have done is embarrass yourselves. I pity you and the misinformed patients who see you.

rn29306 said:
Her question was simple enough, but her reason for asking is what is dubious.
We are all aware of her stance on non-MDs.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=3480322#post3480322

Read replies #2, 16
Click to expand...
 
rn29306 said:
Her question was simple enough, but her reason for asking is what is dubious.
We are all aware of her stance on non-MDs.

http://forums.studentdoctor.net/showthread.php?p=3480322#post3480322

Read replies #2, 16
Click to expand...


For what it's worth, I don't think that the original poster has crossed the line. I checked out the link and don't think that she did anything wrong by stating her opinion. What I think is dangerious is forcing everybody to censor themselves in fear that they offend an NP or other health care professional who may not agree with you. Surely, when it's reduced to name calling and the like, then perhaps it is inappropriate, but the OP, in my view, is well within what is acceptable. Surely this forum has had endless debates about an NP's qualifications, but these debates have been insightful for me and I have learned. I hope that healthy, even edgy, debate continues about all the healthcare professions. Just as in the classroom, it is the students that you can engage in debate and discussion that benifit the most.
 
megsMS said:
.

I have never denied my feelings about nurse practitioners. I am open and honest about them even with attendings and residents.
Click to expand...

megMS said:
To the people who posted replies that were nonsensical as well as those that pointed out my feelings on nurse practitioners, you have done yourselves a disservice.
Click to expand...

If you are so open and honest, then why do you care that people know your true feelings? How have I done myself a disservice in the process of helping you be so "open and honest"?



megMS said:
I am sure that it would be your goal to convert people like me to being pro-N.P., but all you have done is let me know how right I am. All you have done is embarrass yourselves. I pity you and the misinformed patients who see you.
Click to expand...

Actually I don't really care about converting you to an NP stance. I'm a SRNA. The best thing about my job is not having to experience people like you on the floors and units. I just thought since we were being "open and honest" that people would appreciate where you are coming from and that, while seemingly an honest question, in reality it is a loaded one. I have not embarrassed anyone, except for obviously you. A spade is a spade megMS. And I pity the people and patients you work with in the future.
 
....................
 
megsMS said:
To all those on here who posted serious replies, thank you. Your answers will definitely help with my research.

I have never denied my feelings about nurse practitioners. I am open and honest about them even with attendings and residents. I have found that generally my feelings are shared.

To the people who posted replies that were nonsensical as well as those that pointed out my feelings on nurse practitioners, you have done yourselves a disservice. I am sure that it would be your goal to convert people like me to being pro-N.P., but all you have done is let me know how right I am. All you have done is embarrass yourselves. I pity you and the misinformed patients who see you.
Click to expand...

Meg,
I'm glad that we've all had the opportunity to help you to feel how right you are. I'm also excited that you 'share your feelings' with attendings and residents. I'm sure they look upon this as displaying the highest degree of professionalism and you have them all captivated with your sense of humbleness. Kudos. By the way, I've absolutely no interest in talking you into anything. I find your endless bashing amusing, unfounded, and given that you aren't really in practice yet, well, forgiveable.

One thing I've learned over the past 20 years....never, ever, publicly put down another in a group. It makes you look small minded. The docs/nps/pas I respect the most are able to hold intelligent conversations without tooting their own horn. Chew on that for a while and the next time you are itching to speak your feelings....think of how your attending is perceiving this. After all, for all you know his mother,sister,daughter,son etc. could be an NP.

Good luck Meg.
 
lizzied2003 said:
Meg,
I'm glad that we've all had the opportunity to help you to feel how right you are. I'm also excited that you 'share your feelings' with attendings and residents. I'm sure they look upon this as displaying the highest degree of professionalism and you have them all captivated with your sense of humbleness. Kudos. By the way, I've absolutely no interest in talking you into anything. I find your endless bashing amusing, unfounded, and given that you aren't really in practice yet, well, forgiveable.

One thing I've learned over the past 20 years....never, ever, publicly put down another in a group. It makes you look small minded. The docs/nps/pas I respect the most are able to hold intelligent conversations without tooting their own horn. Chew on that for a while and the next time you are itching to speak your feelings....think of how your attending is perceiving this. After all, for all you know his mother,sister,daughter,son etc. could be an NP.

Good luck Meg.
Click to expand...

Wow! That's a great post. Summary of everything I've ever wanted to say on this subject.

Thanks Lizzied2003 🙂
 
Or a PA!!
 
guetzow said:
Or a PA!!
Click to expand...

Funny, you know guetozow...I thought very carefully whether to include the PA profession and I really wanted to because I share your sentiment on this.
However, I was hesitant that this would start a whole new discussion which has sort of that 'been there, done that' sort of feeling.

I also feel that in review of the OP posts it's not a PA issue for her/him rather an NP issue so I didn't want to go down that ugly road either...Looking for that elusive peaceful weekend if you know what I mean.

However, point well taken. I once was speaking about the not so great food we had all gotten as take out, and the unit secretary's dad was the restaurant owner. I wanted to eat my words (no pun intendend) and no matter how much backpedaling I did my words were already out and she was visibly insulted as this was her dad's life. I ended up being embarrassed and in truth, the food really wasn't that horrible.
You just never know about the people around you so it's always better to take 2 seconds to think before you open your mouth.
You can never unring the bell.
 
Just so you know, my disgust doesn't involve PAs. For all of those who want to search this particular statement (you know who you are!), you will find that I have made kind comments about PAs.



guetzow said:
Or a PA!!
Click to expand...
 
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" I once was speaking about the not so great food we had all gotten as take out, and the unit secretary's dad was the restaurant owner. I wanted to eat my words (no pun intendend) and no matter how much backpedaling I did my words were already out and she was visibly insulted as this was her dad's life. I ended up being embarrassed and in truth, the food really wasn't that horrible.
You just never know about the people around you so it's always better to take 2 seconds to think before you open your mouth.
You can never unring the bell."

I did something similar in school...someone asked me"what is scrapple?" and I said "it's the stuff that doesn't qualify for hot dogs"...
the woman standing behind me was the daughter of a scrapple maker...a farmer who raised his own pigs and made his own scrapple for sale locally....needless to say she was very offended....(scrapple by the way is the stuff that doesn't qualify for hot dogs.....)
 
As a matter of fact, the attendings and residents with whom I have shared my opinion appear to think very highly of me (from what they say to me and what their evaluations say). Most of them hold people who tell the truth in high esteem. What they don't like are people who are uninformed and people who pretend to like everyone and everything when it is actually a farce.

As far as your comment that you would like me to "chew on", I most certainly will not. I don't care if you hate me or people like me or not. The people that I hold in high regard are the ones who are intelligent, confident, and honest. If those things mean "tooting their own horn", then so be it. More power to them.

For all the M.D.s, D.O.s, and P.A.s who read this forum, please look at what these people are doing to evade a simple question about standardized exams. Again, thank you to the ones who have answered seriously. To the ones who are offended that I had the audacity to ask in the first place, due to my "dubious" reasons for asking, you are pathetic. Take a look at what you're hiding. It disgusts me and many others out there.

lizzied2003 said:
Meg,
I'm glad that we've all had the opportunity to help you to feel how right you are. I'm also excited that you 'share your feelings' with attendings and residents. I'm sure they look upon this as displaying the highest degree of professionalism and you have them all captivated with your sense of humbleness. Kudos. By the way, I've absolutely no interest in talking you into anything. I find your endless bashing amusing, unfounded, and given that you aren't really in practice yet, well, forgiveable.

One thing I've learned over the past 20 years....never, ever, publicly put down another in a group. It makes you look small minded. The docs/nps/pas I respect the most are able to hold intelligent conversations without tooting their own horn. Chew on that for a while and the next time you are itching to speak your feelings....think of how your attending is perceiving this. After all, for all you know his mother,sister,daughter,son etc. could be an NP.

Good luck Meg.
Click to expand...
 
emedpa said:
I did something similar in school...someone asked me"what is scrapple?" and I said "it's the stuff that doesn't qualify for hot dogs"...
the woman standing behind me was the daughter of a scrapple maker...a farmer who raised his own pigs and made his own scrapple for sale locally....needless to say she was very offended....(scrapple by the way is the stuff that doesn't qualify for hot dogs.....)
Click to expand...

On this ITA. Scrapple is just what it sounds like and it's disgusting.
 
You got several replies about how NPs are certified, meg. Kwitcherbellyachin' for heaven's sake.

I refuse to believe that someone who is in /graduated from med school could not have done a simple search; I'm not sure if you belong to the latter or the former since your public profile is "N/A." Good grief, all I did was looked on Google. That is why you were outed, not because you're the object of a vendetta by nurses. It's also hard for you to claim to be some sort of innocent caught in the crossfire when you have a history of anti-NP sentiment.

Oh, BTW, I'm not an NP. "Just a nurse" who has serious issues with cocky med students and docs.
 
megsMS said:
As far as your comment that you would like me to "chew on.
Click to expand...

Here's one thing I like cocky practitioners to "chew" on. How do you practice when the electricity goes out? Or if you're suddenly dropped into a jungle tribe with no equipment? Now use all that expensive training! :scared:
 
megsMS said:
To all those on here who posted serious replies, thank you. Your answers will definitely help with my research.

I have never denied my feelings about nurse practitioners. I am open and honest about them even with attendings and residents. I have found that generally my feelings are shared.
Click to expand...

Stop making a fool of yourself please.
 
Do they sell it at Wallgreens?
 
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Aspiring NPs gain admission through GREs, the same as most other graduate programs in the arts and sciences. I believe some may allow the Millers Analogies Test.
I had a BS in Psychology and then went to U of Penna for BSN and MSN in Nursing.
Some of my colleagues were quite bright. I blew through the entire curriculum without much work, have worked as an RN and NP in very challenging jobs and know that I need to make a change again.
Most NP programs have mimimum GPAs (Penn wouldn't admit anyone under 3.0 gpa) and do their best to educate students to be productive midlevels.
The greatest problem is that most NPs don't have the core science backgrounds to be able to reason creatively through a clinical problem..
 
megsMS said:
Can someone please post what has to be done to become an NP? What does it take to apply and get in to a program? Are there any national standardized tests that you have to pass? Or does each program just have their own departmental tests? Any info would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

A Nurse Practitioner must first be a registered nurse. Many programs specify the number of years you must have practiced as a registered nurse in order to apply (for example to be a psych np you must have worked in the psych industry as an RN for "x" number of years). Because most if not all programs now require a masters degree, the entrance into a graduate program is the GRE in addition to a better than competitive GPA. As you progress through the program there are no additional tests to take like Steps I and II in medical school. Upon graduation and depending upon your area of specialization there are essentially three certifying bodies that offer board certification (AANP, ANCC, and NCC) The NCC is mostly for women's health. NPs can not practice without board certification from one of the above three bodies; it is a requirement to be baord certified before medicare/medicaid, and private insures will reimbure for your services. Hope this helps - Take Care 🙂
 
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