With advancements in technology and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, online exam prep courses have become increasingly popular, especially for nurse practitioners who are planning to take ANCC or AANP exams. These programs provide flexibility for nurse practitioners to study at their own pace and convenience. However, available products vary in content, quality, and cost. A few popular choices are Sarah Michelle’s courses, Latrina Walden Exam Solutions, and The Cohen Review. But how to choose? Let’s explore factors to consider when choosing a review course.
Table of Contents
Cost-Effectiveness
Live Content
Instructor
Expertise
Conclusion
Cost-Effectiveness
The cost of a prep course shouldn’t be the sole determining factor in your decision, but it undoubtedly is something to consider. Some courses may offer a higher upfront cost but provide extensive support and resources, making them a worthwhile investment. If cost is an issue for you, considering programs that offer financing or bundle discounts can ease the burden of having to pay as much upfront. Programs with multiple study packages tend to offer something or every budget. Another thing to consider is whether the cost of a study program includes enough–or too much. Is your study style one that could benefit from a lot of practice questions? Try to find programs that have a large question bank. Not at a point where you need continuing education (CE) hours? Maybe it’s not worth paying more for a course that offers them. Be sure to examine the ratio of price to quality and volume of content, and choose a program that is tailored to your specific needs.
| The Cohen Review | Sarah Michelle | Latrina Walden Exam Solutions | |||
| Product | The Full Package | Comprehensive Bundle | Complete Test Prep Study Bundle | Practice Question/Test Bank Bundle | The Academy |
| Cost | $216/month or $110/month for 6 months ($220/year) | $319/month | $279/month | $44.99/month or $299/year | $767 for 6 weeks of personalized exam prep |
| Financing/ Payment Plans | No | Only for live study group ($729 - $949) | No | No | Yes |
| Content | 20+ hours of content | 16+ hours of content | 23+ hours of lecture and 400+ clinical review slides/body system videos | All clinical and non-clinical exam prep topics | 60 min Q&A
followed by live session
Book of clinical outcomes Downloadable slides Group classes with fellow students |
| Live Webinars | 6 sessions | Not included | 1 monthly | 1 monthly | Equivalent of 6 sessions |
| CE Hours | Not Available | 17 (6 pharm) | 45 CEUs and 17 Pharmacology credits | Not Applicable | 75 CEUs |
| Practice Questions | 300+ | 100+ | 4000+ (yes, more than 4000) | 4000+ (yes, more than 4000) | |
| Guaranteed Pass Program | Only with live study group program | YES | |||
Live Content
Live webinars are an invaluable tool in the board prep process. They allow students to ask questions, clarify difficult concepts, engage in discussions with fellow students. Not all programs offer live sessions, so if this is something that could help you stay motivated and involved in your study journey, consider finding a program that does. For example, LWES’ The Academy includes the equivalent of 6 live sessions, plus a 60-minute Q&A session followed by a live webinar–AND group classes with fellow students.
Instructor Expertise
The expertise of instructors who lead board exam prep courses is a key factor to consider when evaluating courses. It’s important to prioritize those offered by reputable organizations or institutions. Look for accredited courses (LWES is accredited by the California Board of Nursing to provide CEUs in all 50 states!) to ensure that course content aligns with the current standards and guidelines for nurse practitioners.
Of course, we’re partial to Latrina Walden; her experience and expertise not only as a nurse but as an educator make her one of the best. Here’s a bit about her background!
Latrina Walden earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and masters in health administration from the University of Southern California before she pursued her interest in nursing. Then, she earned her associate’s (Columbus Technical College), bachelor’s (Columbus State University) and master’s (Albany State University) degrees in the field.
Along the way, she’s earned certifications in basic life support/CPR, pediatric life support, trauma nursing (TNCC) and management of ambulatory care systems.
Latrina has worked as a nursing home administrator, a dialysis nurse, an admissions nurse, an ER nurse, a nurse practitioner and a nursing instructor. After myriad teaching roles online and in the classroom, she was a senior lecturer at Clayton State University in Georgia from 2012 to 2019. There, she taught various courses in health administration, coordinated the internship program for the entire health administration program, and developed curriculum for new courses.
And now she is here: helping you achieve your goals for a successful career in nursing.
Conclusion
At their foundations, The Cohen Review and Sarah Michelle are good choices for students and nurse practitioners who are studying for board exams. But when it comes to competitive pricing, the best “bang for your buck”, unprecedented access to practice question banks, and live, instructor-led content, Latrina Walden Exam Solutions is an excellent choice. If you’re someone who is looking for top-of-the-line, personalized review material, LWES is for you.