Nursing exams are no joke. Whether you’re studying for your Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) certification, Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) exam, NCLEX, or other advanced credentials, the pressure can feel overwhelming. Now imagine trying to prepare for two or more of these exams, sometimes, even at the same time.
According to the World Health Organization’s State of the World’s Nursing 2025 report, there has been a 33% increase in the global nursing workforce. While that is great to see, it also means you have a lot of competition to deal with. When combined with multiple exams, it can be truly chaotic.
The truth is, managing multiple exams comes down to having a solid game plan. Time, unlike knowledge, is limited. No matter what, you can’t stretch your day to 30 hours, but you can plan smart. This article walks you through how to break down your prep, make time for multiple exams, and keep yourself mentally and physically on track.
Map Out Your Exam Landscape
Start by laying everything out on the table. List every exam you plan to take, note the dates, deadlines for registration, and the testing windows. Then, look at the content each exam covers. The PMHNP is one of the most popular exams out there right now, along with the FNP exam.
According to the AANP, PMHNPs delivered 34% of mental health visits in urban areas and 51% in rural areas where they had full practice authority. So in essence, PMHNPs are becoming crucial pillars of the mental health care infrastructure, particularly where traditional psychiatric support is lacking.
As we touched on earlier, many students these days opt for a dual FNP/PMHNP program because of how often these two degrees go well with each other.
According to Rockhurst University, FNP practitioners focus on the health and well-being of diverse populations. Meanwhile, PMHNP practitioners provide mental health care to adults, children, and families.
Regardless of dual or non-dual degree options, you will want to rate each exam based on two things: (1) how soon it’s coming up and (2) how confident you feel about the material. This gives you a clearer idea of which exam deserves more of your immediate attention. A great way to do this is by creating a two-column chart for “urgency” and “difficulty.”
From there, create a study calendar that spreads your focus across weeks or months. That way, you’re not blindly switching between topics or cramming too much into one week. Think of this as your exam roadmap—if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll waste time wandering.
Design a Realistic Weekly Study Framework
Once you’ve mapped out the landscape, the next step is building a weekly routine you can realistically follow. Look at your weekly schedule, class times, clinical hours, work shifts, and family obligations, and identify your open slots. These don’t have to be massive chunks of time, as even the Pomodoro technique would be quite effective.
Break your week into study blocks. Dedicate specific days or time slots to each exam. For example, Mondays and Wednesdays could be your FNP prep days, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are for PMHNP material. Sundays can be your full-length mock test or review day.
Be sure to alternate between heavy and light topics. Cramming pharmacology for six days straight might feel productive, but it can be mentally draining. Instead, switch between subjects to keep things fresh.
Also, use tools that work for you. Some prefer physical planners, others use Google Calendar or apps like Trello. Color-code different exams to make tracking easier. Remember, your plan should serve you, not stress you out. So keep it flexible but structured.
Prevent Burnout and Track Your Progress
One of the biggest risks of juggling multiple exams is burnout. A 2023 meta-analysis from Saudi Arabia found that about 65 % of nursing students report moderate-to-high burnout during clinical training—42 % reported emotional exhaustion, 54 % depersonalization, and 77 % low personal accomplishment.
It’s tempting to overcommit and study nonstop, but that’s a quick way to crash. You’ll retain more by pacing yourself and checking in weekly to see how you’re doing.
Start by scheduling breaks into your study plan. Every few hours, take 10–15 minutes to decompress. Once a week, give yourself a full rest day—no nursing content, no flashcards, no guilt. This recovery time isn’t a luxury; it’s part of the process.
Keep a running log of what you’ve studied and how well you’re scoring on practice tests. This helps you see improvement (or identify weak spots) before the real exam catches you off guard. If you’re consistently struggling in one area, adjust your weekly study blocks accordingly.
Most importantly, stay flexible. If life throws you a curveball—an emergency shift, a sick day, or just a bad week, rework your schedule rather than abandoning it. A global survey by Elsevier found that 33 % of medical and nursing students considered quitting during their studies, with 60 % worried about mental well-being and 62 % expecting clinician burnout in their careers.
So, don’t let your overwork lead to dropping out of the entire program. Discipline doesn’t mean rigidity; it means showing up even when it’s hard, and adjusting when it’s necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does FNP stand for?
FNP stands for Family Nurse Practitioner. It’s an advanced practice nurse who can diagnose, treat, and manage care for patients of all ages. Basically, they’re like the Swiss army knife of healthcare—trained to handle everything from coughs to chronic conditions.
2. Is nursing easy to study?
Not really—it’s definitely no walk in the park. Nursing combines science, critical thinking, and real-world application, so you’re not just memorizing facts; you’re learning how to actually save lives. It’s doable, but you’ve got to be committed and ready to hustle.
3. How hard is the FNP Exam?
It’s tough, no sugarcoating it. The FNP exam tests everything from diagnosis to treatment plans, and you’ll need solid clinical knowledge to pass. Most people say it’s challenging, but manageable if you’ve prepped well and used good review resources like practice questions.
At the end of the day, preparing for multiple nursing exams isn’t about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about being the most consistent. A well-structured plan, grounded in realistic expectations and smart strategies, can carry you through even the toughest prep periods.
Don’t let the number of exams scare you. With the right tools and time management, it’s absolutely doable. Keep checking in with yourself, adjust your routine when needed, and remember why you’re doing this in the first place. Success isn’t about working harder; it’s about working smarter.