How to Create Mnemonics That Actually Work for NP Boards
Real Talk from a Certified Nurse Practitioner
By Wes Clayton, MSN, FNP-BC
Founder of Next-NP: The Affordable, All-in-One NP Board Review
If you’re like most NP candidates, you’ve tried using mnemonics to memorize guidelines, drug classes, or diagnostic criteria—but half of them don’t stick. The problem isn’t you; it’s the way most mnemonics are built.
Here’s how to create mnemonics that are memorable, easy to recall under pressure, and actually work on test day.
1. Make Them Personal
The more a mnemonic connects to your life, the more your brain will retrieve it later. Generic acronyms are forgettable; personal images or phrases stick.
✅ Pro Tip: If you’re trying to remember beta-blocker side effects, tie them to a person or event you know (“Brady’s Slow Block Party” = bradycardia, slow HR, block AV node).
2. Use Vivid, Even Silly Imagery
Your brain loves weird and colorful. The stranger the mental picture, the stronger the memory trace.
✅ Pro Tip: For cranial nerves, don’t just memorize “Oh, Oh, Oh…”—imagine a row of owls juggling oranges and octopuses. The visual makes the list unforgettable.
3. Keep It Short and Punchy
Long, complicated phrases defeat the purpose. Aim for one or two words per item and a total mnemonic no longer than a sentence.
✅ Pro Tip: Break up huge lists. Instead of one 12-item acronym, create two 6-item mnemonics.
4. Combine Words and Pictures
Write your mnemonic and draw a simple doodle or symbol next to it. Pairing verbal and visual learning doubles your recall.
✅ Pro Tip: Create a quick visual cue you can sketch in your notes to anchor the information.
5. Practice Retrieval, Not Just Recognition
A mnemonic isn’t “learned” until you can recall it without looking. Practice writing or saying it from memory at spaced intervals.
✅ Pro Tip: Set a timer for 2 minutes, then write down all your mnemonics from memory. Check yourself. Repeat daily until they’re automatic.
Bottom Line: Mnemonics Are Tools, Not Magic
A well-designed mnemonic makes your studying faster and your recall stronger—but only if you build it with meaning, imagery, brevity, and practice. By following these tips, you’ll walk into the AANP or ANCC exam with quick mental shortcuts you can actually trust.
Need help with mnemonics? Next-NP: The Affordable, All-in-One NP Board Review already integrates high-yield mnemonics for the topics that matter most—so you can focus on learning, not reinventing the wheel.
Written by Wes Clayton, MSN, FNP-BC
Certified Family Nurse Practitioner | Founder of Next-NP