Re: CFRN/CTRN Support Thread
Hey there GilaRN - GREAT IDEA!
I'll start!
Took and passed the CFRN a couple of weeks ago and I'm in the process of preparing for the FP-C with my paramedic partner. We hope to take it by the end of May.
The prep for the CFRN was fairly straightforward. I read the "Blue Book" ASTNA's 3rd Edition cover to cover. I think that this book is absolutely essential for any transport/flight nurse. It is fairly comprehensive but not necessarily overly detailed. All-in-all it is one of the best resources for any transport nurse.
I also got Will Wingfield's new ACE SAT for review - It was well worth the nearly $80 for the book and shipping. WW's book helped me to identify the weak spots and I did just that. (In my case it was OB issues and those pesky gas laws - why do I get so confused?!) The book is not a true traditional review - it sectioned by subject area questions and within the answers (with detailed rationales) there are many "pearls" and test tips.
I also reviewed the CAMTS standards (available on the website for free - a big file to print...80 pages or so). Not too useful on the CFRN, however, I'm told that the FP-C may be a different animal.
I also took the ENA's outline of exam content and attempted to fill in the "holes" on any area that I felt rusty in. I feel that the exam followed the outline very well. Of course, the great bank of questions could serve up anything - but, I felt like my exam was fairly balanced. Medical, Trauma, Pedi, Survival-Safety, Cardio, Priority - it had it all. Not too many med specific's, but I think the exam is a "thinking test", so recall of specific facts is less important than being able to recognize/intervene in clinical presentations and implement/revise care of the same patient. Example: RSI/DAI was a focus, but specific drug doses we not on it. The general process, the precautions and indications were the crux.
Overall, I felt reasonably prepared when I took it. I did okay - I think I passed with 129/150. Not as well as the CEN (which I re-rook for recert last fall, I got 144/150), but a bunch better than the CCRN which I passed by a very slim margin. Can't compare to the FP-C, but I will report back - win, lose or draw!
I know that you have been doing transport for a while - and that you work for a good service. Plus, I do note your reasoning here and via FW, and it is very sound. I'd think that a wham-bam review and you will be good to go.
I am in the process of compiling a comprehensive review for all disciplines. I think there is a real need for this - there are not too many resources out there - I'd think that a direct/concise product would fill a void. Hopefully, this will be a PPT and review manual ready for presentation at our state EMS conference this fall. I hope to be able to present this (with others) as a free offering (of course with the support/blessing of my employer!) with testing to follow at the conference. I will post here and on flightweb if/when this becomes a reality!
Anyway, not too sure that any of this helps - I'd be glad to help further if there is anything I can clarify. PM me if you want.
I think I thought too much about it. I got a little peeved at work and rushed my test date. I then started to panic a bit, but I was committed - so I just tested. I left the exam feeling very confident that I was, in fact, a fairly good flight nurse. So to the extent that I left the process better than I started it - the exam did it's job! And I think that it the point - the purpose of the certification exam is to validate your knowledge- and if in preparation you end the process stronger than you start, that is a sure measure of a professional.
Good Luck!
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