Before the Morning (Failed CRNE three times. what now?)

World Canada CRNE

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I just received a bad news. My nursing career is over. Yes, I am no longer one of you, but I feel a need to share my story. I have failed the CRNE for the third time and honestly, I don't know what is there left for me. I know things happen for a reason. sometimes, i just think that GOD is being so unfair. Throughout my nursing school, all i did was to do my best both theory and clinical. I have received praises being a "very good" Graduate Nurse. But then again, all has to end with an examination that I can't seem to pass even though I have put my thoughts and heart on preparing for it. At some point, I think of myself as a dumb individual, up for no good. If nursing was not meant for me, why did HE made it possible for me to even complete my Degree Program? I have so many questions to GOD right now. I have prayed hard for that moment of finally receiving a letter with the word "PASS" on it, but instead a phone call saying I have failed on my third attempt and had to wait for a letter containing my options.

Nursing Has always been my dream and I can't see myself pursuing other career in life. I don't think I can handle another 4 years of schooling or even the strength to even try to put my life back on track. I know that God has a reason for why I'm going through this test right now (one I consider the hardest test in my life, so far), and probably there is more to come. I have so much faith in him that in spite it all, I still look forward to that one morning of waking up from my sleep and the pain, the sadness, the sufferings are over. I know that HE works in ways unimaginable. I know that he hears my prayer and in his own time he'll grant those prayers. But for now, all I needed is some sort of encouragement from you, whoever you are reading this post right now.

I still thank GOD because I have my life, I am breathing, I can still appreciate all the good things he had created. As long as there is tomorrow, I will continue to fight a good fight!

hi jmarc99, I'm happy to hear you were given the fourth chance to write. I'm actually in the same boat as you and I wanted to ask you something but I was hoping to pm you however, I am not able to do that through this blog. Can you please email me. My email ad is [email protected]. Please and thank you! Hope to hear from you soon!

i failed CRNE 3 times here in Ontario. and for a very good reason for appealing, i got a chance to write for a fourth time... thank God.

however, im going to need a lot of help on ways how to study, what to focus and what books to study to write the CRNE. i never ever failed any exams in my life except these last 3 exams of my life. i couldnt figure why i can pass everything else but this. I failed by 2-3 points, and i even took a class. I thought i have a good knowledge base. But i really need to improve my critical thinking and public health knowledge. and also my English is not perfect.. Fellow nurses i need your guidance to help me a ways to pass this.

God bless.

Just an observation, has anyone passed the CRNE on the 4th try? I did a search and found no one has reported here that they passed on the 4th try.

My opinion as a nurse and educator, that 3 times is a very reasonable amount of tries to pass a test. After the third attempt, it is all about the test and not what kind of nurse one is.

If tests are being used to judge one's competency I feel they should be limited to a reasonable amount of attempts ( 3 sounds about right) and if a person can't pass the test some remedial work needs to happen, it could be caused by test anxiety, comprehension issues, lack of critical thinking, lack of knowledge, etc. At this point an intervention needs to happen to ensure the person is a competent nurse, not just a continual loop of retaking the test.

I think you need clarification. I am almost 100% sure that if you fail the CRNE 3 times, you need to take a one year course. It is completely false that you have to redo your 4 year BScN. I would suggest that you call the college of nurse of ontario for clarification. I can imagine the stress you must have, thinking you have to redo your BScN if its completely untrue. I believe George Brown College has this kind of 1 year course that is geared for RN's who fail their CRNE 3 times, nurses who have been out of practice, and Internationally trained nurses. I think you should go straight to the source (CNO) for direction, because you're torturing yourself with all these answers which are completely untrue (no offense). Good luck

http://coned.georgebrown.ca/owa_prod/cewskcrss.P_Certificate?area_code=PA0017&cert_code=CE0133

Check this out. There is contact information there for the George Brown Program. The reason why I am so sure is when I went to the CNO to register in person, I specifically asked what happens if you fail all three times. I was told that one would have to take a 1 year course in nursing, after which they would have another 3 trys.

Specializes in Hospital nursing.
http://coned.georgebrown.ca/owa_prod/cewskcrss.P_Certificate?area_code=PA0017&cert_code=CE0133

Check this out. There is contact information there for the George Brown Program. The reason why I am so sure is when I went to the CNO to register in person, I specifically asked what happens if you fail all three times. I was told that one would have to take a 1 year course in nursing, after which they would have another 3 trys.

Wow...that's scary. I hope I never have a nurse looking after me that needed 6 tries to pass the entry-to-practice exam, PLUS the remedial course...that's just terrifying!

Specializes in geriatrics.

Keep in mind that the job market is extremely competitive. I think anyone would have a hard time justifying 6 times to an employer. That's outrageous.

Specializes in General Internal Medicine, ICU.
Keep in mind that the job market is extremely competitive. I think anyone would have a hard time justifying 6 times to an employer. That's outrageous.

I agree. While I am aware that sometimes, extenuating circumstances can prevent someone from passing his/her CRNE within three tries, but a line has to be drawn somewhere. I think three tries is plenty of chances to pass the test.

JMARC99 and ecclessia..

I too am in the same boat as both of you. JMARC99 so happy that you were approved to get a fourth chance! =D what was the process that you took to appeal and how long did you get your response? It is very difficult to get a hold of CNO to talk to them about my options so I was wondering if you could help me. If you or anyone that may have any information about the appeal process please email me at [email protected].

Thanks and any help or information would be much appreciated!

Hi Survivor0007:

How is everything??? I don't know what are you doing now because your last posting was on March 2011. I hope everything is well with you and you were able to pass the exam.

My grandmother always taught me to listen to positive thinking and optimist people and get away from negative because somehow it will get to you.

I do not agree with the comments that the individual with ID Ginger Mom states in this discussion board regarding the crne exam and the number of attempts that someone should have., his/her comments are very judgemental and uncompassionate. There are a variety of factors that may affect an individual to perform a task whether is mentally or physically and as nurses we should all be aware of that. Think outside the box, not every one individual is the same!!!.

His/Her comments tell me that as a nurse he/she failed to exercise one of the CNA code of ethics and is to provide compassionate support and care to an individual who is you going to a very difficult time. Providing compassionate care is is number 1 ethic in Canadian Standards.

I wish you all the best Survivor 0007 and take care. Keep us informed.

Specializes in NICU, PICU, PCVICU and peds oncology.

How does the CNA Code of Ethics apply in this situation? Ginger Mom and Survivor0007 don't have a nurse-patient relationship. That's a spurious argument. If you find her comments unduly harsh, then I'm afraid you're going to find the world to be a rather harsh place in general. Ginger Mom's opinion is shared by many people: three attempts is more than enough. (When law students fail their bar exam, they don't have any more chances. They have to redo their bar course before they're permitted to try again. And they aren't providing life-or-death care.) But let's go a little further. If you feel that there are extenuating circumstances that affect a person's ability to pass the exam and they should be given as many chances as they need to get there, will that same standard then apply to their nursing care when they're out in the real world with 8 patients to get up, bathed, medicated and fed before 8 am? Or when a patient decides to arrest and there's nobody else to do compressions? What then?

The CRNE tests basic nursing competencies. And nurses are what stands between life and death for their patients. That's why the exam exists and why there are limits on the number of failed attempts a person may have.

Janfrn:

There are different ways where one can suggest, provide advice or discuss a topic in any given situation. In this particular discussion board there are individuals that failed the CRNE exam a few times and they want to express how they are feeling about this whole journey and may be seeking some advice in how they can better themselves and succeed for this exam.

And the least that one can do is provide a bit of respect and help each other as much as one can, be a good listener, without judging or other people misfortune. What is wrong with that??? That is all I am saying.

Janfr, I like the CNA code of ethics because it does not tell me that as a Nurse I am only supposed to practise ethically when I am nursing the client but in all situations. I exercise this in Every situation of my life not only in practice. When I say something I always say it based on facts/evidence, that is the way I answered my crne exam and I passed.

The code is organized in two parts:

PART I: Part I, “Nursing Values and Ethical Responsibilities,” describes the core responsibilities central to ethical nursing practice. These ethical responsibilities are articulated through seven primary values and accompanying responsibility statements, which are grounded in nurses’ professional relationships with individuals, families, groups, populations and communities as well as with students, colleagues and other health-care professionals. The seven primary values are:

1. Providing safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care

2. Promoting health and well-being

3. Promoting and respecting informed decision-making

4. Preserving dignity

5. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality

6. Promoting justice

7. Being accountable

PART II: Ethical nursing practice involves endeavouring to address broad aspects of social justice that are associated with health and well-being. Part II, “Ethical Endeavours,” describes endeavours that nurses can under take to address social inequities.

Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses 3

USING THE CODE IN NURSING PRACTICE

http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/Code_of_Ethics_2008_e.pdf

Specializes in Hospital nursing.
Janfrn:

There are different ways where one can suggest, provide advice or discuss a topic in any given situation. In this particular discussion board there are individuals that failed the CRNE exam a few times and they want to express how they are feeling about this whole journey and may be seeking some advice in how they can better themselves and succeed for this exam.

And the least that one can do is provide a bit of respect and help each other as much as one can, be a good listener, without judging or other people misfortune. What is wrong with that??? That is all I am saying.

Janfr, I like the CNA code of ethics because it does not tell me that as a Nurse I am only supposed to practise ethically when I am nursing the client but in all situations. I exercise this in Every situation of my life not only in practice. When I say something I always say it based on facts/evidence, that is the way I answered my crne exam and I passed.

The code is organized in two parts:

PART I: Part I, "Nursing Values and Ethical Responsibilities," describes the core responsibilities central to ethical nursing practice. These ethical responsibilities are articulated through seven primary values and accompanying responsibility statements, which are grounded in nurses' professional relationships with individuals, families, groups, populations and communities as well as with students, colleagues and other health-care professionals. The seven primary values are:

1. Providing safe, compassionate, competent and ethical care

2. Promoting health and well-being

3. Promoting and respecting informed decision-making

4. Preserving dignity

5. Maintaining privacy and confidentiality

6. Promoting justice

7. Being accountable

PART II: Ethical nursing practice involves endeavouring to address broad aspects of social justice that are associated with health and well-being. Part II, "Ethical Endeavours," describes endeavours that nurses can under take to address social inequities.

Code of Ethics for Registered Nurses 3

USING THE CODE IN NURSING PRACTICE

http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/documents/pdf/publications/Code_of_Ethics_2008_e.pdf

First of all, I am not sure if you are aware, but your post previous to this one was very judgemental. You accuse others of being judgemental, but then go on to accuse them of not being ethical nurses, and go so far as to express your doubts about their practice.

Also, the code of ethics you cite does not really apply to this situation brought up by the OP, especially the part you mention at the end, regarding social injustice. It is in no way a "social injustice" for someone to only be given 3 attempts at an entry-to-practice exam. There are 3 attempts to make sure it is "fair". After the first failed attempt, the writer should sit down and try to figure out why they failed...were they too anxious? If so, they should work on controlling anxiety/apply for special accomodations (i.e. extra time). Do they have difficulty with reading comprehension? If so, they should work on that skill, or apply for special accomodations before writing again.

On exam day, there are MULTIPLE oppertunities for the writer to decide they do not feel mentally or physically prepared to write, and they are allwoed to leave without penalty prior to opening the book. This too ensures fairness. If a writer is distracted because of personal issues, they are given the oppertunity to walk away without writing. Yes, they may lose the money, but if they truly feel they are not at their best to write, it is better to lose the money then to fail the exam.

I admire your dedication to always striving to be ethical, however I believe you need to re-examine some of your posts, because you are coming across as being very judgemental yourself in some of the same posts where you tear others down for being judgemental in your opinion. As well, I suggest you familiarize yourself with the concepts of social injustice, and the situations to which it applies. The lack of a fourth attempt at writing an exam is hardly a social injustice by any stretch of the term.

I feel for those who failed the exam 3 times, but at the same time applaud the Colleges of Nurses for putting that 3 try limit in place. First and foremost, the public must be protected from people who are not safe to practice, and frankly, if someone cannot pass the entry-level exam (on which you generally only need 59-68% to pass), then that raises serious doubts in my mind as to whether or not that individual is safe to practice.

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