Re: CNS review course
David,
I am still in grad school - will be done in 1 1/2 years. So, unfortunately, I don't have any lived-experience advice for you. Which certification exam are you planning to take - ANCC adult health exam? ACHPN exam? Both?
To my disappointment, I found out that I will not be eligible to sit for the ACHPN exam after graduation because I will not have a "
Master’s or higher degree in nursing from an Advanced Practice Palliative Care accredited education program providing both a didactic component and a minimum of 500 hours of supervised advanced practice specifically in palliative care in the year prior to applying to take the examination." This excerpt was taken verbatim from the NBCHPN handbook. I spent a few days communicating back & forth with the Board and with my program dean to see if there was any way around this, but to no avail. Just something to be aware of... If you are taking the ANCC adult health CNS exam, we are both in the same boat re: trying to find exam preparation materials/courses. I'm not so sure that I want to take this exam, as I perceive (and might be wrong) that it is intended more for candidates who have a strong med/surg background and will be working in the acute hospital setting as CNSs. Although this may be right up your alley, I'm hoping that the general CNS exam will be available through ANCC by the time I graduate. If it is I will take that exam initially, obtain "
500 hours of post-master’s advanced practice in providing palliative care" (once again verbatim from the NBCHPN handbook), and then take the ACHPN exam. However, I do want to be prepared to take the adult health exam if the general CNS exam is not ready in 2010. I'm always excited to find other colleagues who are/will be practicing as APNs in hospice/palliative care. Feel free to keep in touch, if you would like to do so. Best of luck in your exam preparation - would love to hear some feedback re: how the exam(s) went for you. Mark 
Nursing News