Adult CNS-EXAM

[ER823]

Hello all.

I completed my MSN program in december, and sat for the Adult CNS exam yesterday... and i FAILED! such an embarrassment, humiliation, failure, I was so sure of myself and this test... everyone I talked to said not to worry, no need to really study. I do not know what went wrong, some of the questions were so vague, I could not even eliminate to the top 2 choices.... I did not do the online review course, regretting it now, all I did was read through a book I bought online and some material from my MSN program... I scored low in research, which boggles my mind since i was a research assistant and published in a few journals!!

so now i am having no luck contacting the ANCC regarding the new test blueprint. not to sure which test I have to take now!

anyone else in this desperate situation??? the test blueprint changes on April 5, 2011.... oh gosh, tears are starting again :crying2:

so disappointed and lost right now

[enoRN]

Well, they should have also made their Cds compactible with all players. LOL

Fingers crossed, we'll like to hear more from you on how useful the CDs are. Thanks

So I have to set things right. I mentioned before that I ordered a set of 6 CDs from amazon called Clinical Nurse Specialist 6 hr review course. When the 1st set of CDs arrived only the first one played in my computer. All others said blank and so I emailed customer service who quickly replied that I would receive another set. That set came today and again all said blank in my pc. Another fiery email was sent to customer service who replied within minutes telling me to try another player bc she checked them before sending them. Low and behold they work in my tele's DVD player!!!!' I'm sitting there with egg on my face and sending an apology to this company. Why didn't I think of trying them in another cd player??? Lol lol. Well I'm just glad I wasnt out 140 bucks for nothing. Haven't listened to them as yet tho so fingers crossed that it was worth it.

[nicolein]

Has any recently certified CNS in this group used the ANCC adult health study group sessions with any success?? It's a weekly or biweekly call in study group!!

[nicolein]

Total waste of money. It's not even worth using if u r taking the nclex much less an advance practice cert exam.

[nicolein]

Am I the only one that assumed that certification was REQUIRED to practice as a CNS?? I now know it is expected that it will be required in the future based on the APRN Consensus report but my professors made me believe that taking the certification exam at the end of graduate studies wasn't an option but a requirement. I intend to take it but now the pressure is off a bit :-)

[maddy08]

Hi Everyone!

I passed my Adult Health CNS board certification exam today!!! What a thrill for it to be over with! Thank you Jesus!

I thought I'd shared how I studied and what I thought was most helpful.

Very Helpful: (most of these books I already had b/c of my program)

Hamric and Spross (green book)

Fulton, Lyon, & Goudreau (blue book)

Alligood & Tomey (book about nursing theorists)

Burns & Grove, The Practice of Nursing Research

Bastable, Nurse as Educator

Fitzgerald, Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination & Practice Preparation (purchased from Amazon)

Answering the test content outline word-for-word that's provided on the ANCC website and used it to make my own study guide (I think this was the most helpful. And if I couldn't find the answers in one of the books, I googled it :))

And finally using the ANCC website sample questions for every section (peds, adult, case management, NP, etc.). I read and answered those questions until my face turned blue! It really helped in understanding the format and answers to expect on the actual test.

Not Helpful:

Mometrix Media Adult Health CNS Exam Secrets (a lot of errors, I'm planning on getting a refund)

ANCC Adult Health CNS Teleconference. They provide you a notebook full of slides that are vague and appear outdated. The teacher for the teleconference reads exactly what's written on the slides. Not to mention there was lots of static, disconnections, and times when we had to call back to listen to a pre-recording of some one else giving the conference. Plus lots of $$$ to purchase. I regret this the most.

I hope this helps! :)

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Congrats Maddy

[nicolein]

Hi Everyone!

I passed my Adult Health CNS board certification exam today!!! What a thrill for it to be over with! Thank you Jesus!

I thought I'd shared how I studied and what I thought was most helpful.

Very Helpful: (most of these books I already had b/c of my program)

Hamric and Spross (green book)

Fulton, Lyon, & Goudreau (blue book)

Alligood & Tomey (book about nursing theorists)

Burns & Grove, The Practice of Nursing Research

Bastable, Nurse as Educator

Fitzgerald, Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination & Practice Preparation (purchased from Amazon)

Answering the test content outline word-for-word that's provided on the ANCC website and used it to make my own study guide (I think this was the most helpful. And if I couldn't find the answers in one of the books, I googled it :))

And finally using the ANCC website sample questions for every section (peds, adult, case management, NP, etc.). I read and answered those questions until my face turned blue! It really helped in understanding the format and answers to expect on the actual test.

Not Helpful:

Mometrix Media Adult Health CNS Exam Secrets (a lot of errors, I'm planning on getting a refund)

ANCC Adult Health CNS Teleconference. They provide you a notebook full of slides that are vague and appear outdated. The teacher for the teleconference reads exactly what's written on the slides. Not to mention there was lots of static, disconnections, and times when we had to call back to listen to a pre-recording of some one else giving the conference. Plus lots of $$$ to purchase. I regret this the most.

I hope this helps! :)

Hi Maddy08

I'm so happy for you. Thanks for the info on the resources that were most helpful for you. I'm in my last semester and I'm so stressed about this exam although I told myself I wouldn't. How long did you take to study for the exam??

[siaknikikoRN]

Congratulations! Thank you for sharing your references. I'll make sure I'll have them too when it is my time to prepare for my certification exam. I hope to graduate next summer. Wish me luck!

[VANurse36]

Is there anyone out there who has taken the adult health CNS exam recently and can provide any updated info or studying assistance? Thanks in advance :) I have recently graduated in August 2012 and beginning to study for exam.

[nicolein]

Is there anyone out there who has taken the adult health CNS exam recently and can provide any updated info or studying assistance? Thanks in advance :) I have recently graduated in August 2012 and beginning to study for exam.

Hi

I would strongly suggest you joining the Facebook group ANCC CNS STUDY GROUP. it's a group where ppl who have taken or are planning on taking the exam post info and questions. A number of members recently took the exam and posted general feedback re the test. I'm a student completing my CNS program soon and looking for study tips and I think the info on the FB site will be beneficial. Good luck to you!!

[VANurse36]

Thanks so much for the info, I will definitely check it out!

[nicolein]

Well it's been a while but I'm super excited to announce that I passed the cert exam yesterday. What a HORRIBLE EXAM!!! So broad and such ambiguous questions. Had to read and reread to figure out what was being asked. What I found helpful in passing was #1 Joining the FB group and getting tips on areas to focus. Everyone that passed mentioned the same theorists and content areas to zone in my study on. Next the mometrix was helpful, my precious Hamric book for sure, the CNS spheres of influence and the activities under the competences (know this backwards and forward) and the AACN Syngery book. Good luck to all students and working CNSs brave enough to tackle this exam. Do not use any NP reviews nor review anymore pharm. The pharm u know right now is enough. Nursing process also of great importance!