The end of your academic journey through an NP program brings you to the start of an exciting and rewarding career. But before you can work as a nurse practitioner, an important achievement awaits: Passing the national board certification exam for your specialty.

Thousands of NP graduates (and their faculty) recommend taking a nurse practitioner certification review course to help prepare for your board exam. A great NP review course reinforces your academic preparation, adds clinical perspective and evidence-based knowledge, and builds your test-taking skills. The mission is to help you pass your exam the first time. So how do you know which course is right for you?

As you research your options, one of the first decisions you’ll need to make is about the course delivery. Do you want to attend an in-person live course, a virtual live course (via webinar), or purchase an on-demand course on video or audio?

Each course type has distinct advantages. This article focuses on the features of an on-demand review course. You’ll find out what is typically provided in this course format, which course characteristics are most important to your exam prep, and get recommendations for selecting the right course for you.

For tips on selecting a live review course, see this guide on the NP Insider Blog.

On-Demand Courses Are Self-paced, Flexible and Convenient

One of the primary reasons students choose on-demand review courses is that they offer flexibility. Instead of committing to two specific dates on the calendar to attend a live course, you decide when to access course materials. Your learning can occur at any time and from any location.

This can be especially advantageous for graduates who are balancing work, family and other commitments. The ability to decide when you’ll watch or listen to lectures eliminates the stress of adhering to a fixed course schedule and can help you achieve a more balanced approach to exam preparation.

The self-paced nature of on-demand review courses can empower students to take better control of their learning. When you select an on-demand course, you’re in charge. But are you likely to progress through the course at the right pace and with the necessary focus?

Think about when you want to take your certification exam. Then do some self-reflection. Will you schedule and complete your learning at intervals that ensure you complete the course and have focused study time before your planned exam date?

Not everyone has the self-discipline to stick to a timetable when no assignment is due. It’s important to honestly reflect on your tendences and habits before purchasing a video or audio course.

For students who function better with a deadline, video courses might have an edge over audio because they typically have shorter access times. For example, the video on-demand review courses from Advanced Practice Education Associates (for primary care, psychiatric-mental health and adult-gerontology acute care roles) provide access for 6 months, whereas the audio courses are accessible for 12 months.

On-Demand Courses Meet the Needs of Various Learning Styles

Other reasons that on-demand review courses are popular is that they can support a variety of learning styles and they offer opportunities for content review.

For example, auditory learners may learn more effectively from audio lectures while visual learners may learn better from video lectures that show slides side by side with the instructor (as in the APEA video review courses). Most video and audio review courses include the ability to pause, rewind, and revisit lectures. This access helps ensure students fully absorb complex concepts at a pace that suits their individual learning style.

The design of on-demand review courses reflects the importance of sustained study, as evidenced by their extended access to learning materials. Students can begin their preparation well in advance of their exam date and continue to review the resources for the duration of the access (in the case of APEA courses, 6 months or 12 months).

In contrast, the schedule of a live review course determines the pace of the lectures and learning. Another difference is the lack of review: You cannot watch and participate in a live presentation a second time.

Because live learning fully engages the senses — and in the case of APEA courses, the presenters provide interactive Q&A sessions — students sometimes choose to blend their preparation methods. After completing an on-demand APEA course, many students attend a live course to wrap up their learning and seal their confidence heading into exam day.

Look for On-Demand Courses That Are Current and Comprehensive

When evaluating the various on-demand NP review courses on the market, convenience and pricing should not be the most important determinants. Carefully evaluate the course description and customer reviews to ensure that the course is comprehensive and that lectures reflect evidence-based practice and current clinical guidelines. On the course description page, look for a list of all lectures and all body systems covered in the course. If the course doesn't provide this level of detail, you won't know whether it is comprehensive enough to prepare you for boards.

Beyond content mastery, the on-demand review course you select should be taught by nurse practitioners who have earned certification in your specialty and who have clinical experience treating the patient population you will work with. And, the course should teach test-taking strategies and techniques for managing exam anxiety.

Reasons to Choose an APEA On-Demand Review Course

Among the on-demand options available today, the on-demand courses from APEA stand out as an effective choice for many reasons. Here is some key information about APEA on-demand courses:

• Courses are available for family nurse practitioner, adult-gerontology primary care, psychiatric mental health, and adult-gerontology acute care certifications.
• The pricing for all courses is $400 for video and $425 for audio.
• Video access is available for 6 months from the date of purchase, and each video can be viewed three times.
• Audio access provides unlimited listening for 12 months.
• All courses provide contact hours for exam retake qualification and for practicing NPs to fulfill recertification requirements: FNP: 36.75 (17 pharmacology); AGPCNP: 32 (15.25 pharmacology); PMHNP: 17 (12 pharmacology); AGACNP: 23.5 (13 pharmacology)

All APEA on-demand courses are taught by nurse practitioners who are experienced educators and clinicians. They use their engaging teaching styles and extensive clinical and teaching expertise to deliver comprehensive information in a way that helps students tie together everything they need to know to be successful on the NP certification exams.

Every on-demand review course (and live review course) developed by APEA reflects:

• current evidence
• current clinical guidelines
• current standards of care
• current blueprints for the exams.

Real-World Success Stories From Students

The effectiveness of APEA on-demand review courses is best demonstrated through the experiences of students who have used them to help pass their certification exam. Here is a sampling of reviews by customers who credit an APEA on-demand review course for their exam success:

• "I took the AANP exam after waiting nearly 6 months after graduation and did not pass. I decided to not mess around the second time and purchased the APEA video review course. I watched the videos 2-3 times each and also took an APEA Predictor Exam. When I went into the testing center, I did not feel any of the test anxiety I had felt before my prior exam. I felt more confident and knew how to approach the questions."

• "I began using the audio review course a year before graduation due to all of the travel I was doing with clinicals and work. I can’t tell you how much it helped solidify the information from school and clinicals. I passed my AANP exam last week on the first try, and I truly credit the APEA audio review course."

These testimonials underscore the impact that APEA on-demand review courses have on NP exam preparation. By providing flexible, comprehensive education and test-taking strategies, APEA on-demand courses help students meet their certification goals.

Prepare for Your Future as an NP with an On-Demand Review Course

On-demand review courses are a recognized strategy for new nurse practitioners as they prepare for certification. They provide flexibility, convenience, a tailored learning approach and comprehensive content — and they don’t require travel.

By choosing an on-demand review course, NP students can feel confident that they are receiving the education and support necessary to succeed on certification exams and to move forward confidently into their new role.

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