[richardsrl]

Hi everyone,
I am strongly considering taking the CNOR exam after 10 years working in the OR. My Nurse Manager is really "encouraging" me.
My issue is that I am only a GYN/OB scrub nurse (in-house trained SA). I know NOTHING about cardiothoracic, ortho, neuro, etc. How difficult did any of you find it? How & what did you study? Is it a "common sense" exam? I do not absolutely HAVE to take it, but I would like to do it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
Becky

[umakemesmile]

I had the same concerns before I took the exam. We are a rural hosp.
I used the CNOR study books avail.,Alexander's and AORN standards. They should be all you need.

[poopsiebear]

I took the CNOR exam in 12/07 and the exam wasn't bad at all.

You definitely need to read the AORN Standards, Alexander's, and Berry and Kohn's texts. I printed the Study Guide from the CNOR Certification website for reference, and I took a review course 2 months before the exam.

You do need to know the basics from other services besides OB/GYN because you need to know the incision sites and positioning for other surgeries. You also need to know your anesthesia meds, malignant hyperthermia, infection control, and sterilization.

I think every OR nurse should take the exam. Studying for the exam made me understand better why I am doing what I am doing. I think nurses will be more conscientious of their practices when they know the rationale behind their actions.

Good luck on your exam.

[Annabelle07]

I agree with the other answers you have received. I took the exam about a year ago and was so freaked out I showed up to take the exam on the wrong day and almost got tested for English fluency!! Good Luck!!

[teenarn]

I just took the exam last week and basically there were a lot of questions about the standards, specifically, consents, sterile processing, bloody sponge drops on the floor, emergency surgical procedures, basically: each standard with a question. It wasn't really that difficult to take, mostly common sense if you have been in the environment for 10 years. Don't stress yourself out, they give you 4 hours but you can complete it in 2 or less. Good luck!

[Fun2Care]

Is this test based like the NCLEX, or is there a standard amount of questions?

[teenarn]

there are no multiple/multiple questions, they are straight forward. Very readable, no trick questions, you just need to know your standards. Good luck!

[Diahni]

I know this is an old post, but the description of the CNOR vs. NCLEX sounds pretty dramatic! No multiple questions, readable, no trick questions? Wow!
Diahni

[travelgirl416]

I found that I had the most trouble with questions on sterilization... I never really took the time to see what went on in CPD, but my two exams (I failed the first time...by 3 points!) had tons of questions on steam sterilization, steris, gas, etc. Get the CNOR exam study questions and just practice, practice, practice! I found that doing the questions worked better than reading the book. I purchased both. Hope that helps a little...

[fracturenurse]

Get the AORN's standards book, and read it cover to cover. Alexander's helps too...Good luck! Just took it the other day, it was my second time, I let it expire the first time. Don't do that...Just keep up the CEU's so you don't have to retake it like me in 5 years. You'll do fine...Just know those standards!