Anyone take the NCLEX and CRNE close together?

NCLEX_CareBear · Oct 31, 2004

Hi Gail! I am a Canada educated RN. I graduated in May 2004. I am taking the NCLEX-RN tomorrow (my 3rd attempt)... I know the CRNE had changed the format of the exam. I got to "test out" some of those sample questions when I wrote the CRNE in June 2004. The CRNE and NCLEX-RN is very different from each other. The CRNE is more psychsocial...while the NCLEX-RN is more technique. I think if you study the NCLEX-RN material...you'll be WAY set for the CRNE. I also recommend buying the study guide in prep for CRNE published by CNO. I found it very helpful. The guide was very similar to the exam. I'm not sure if you have to take the NCLEX-RN first before you can take the CRNE. I received my ATT to write the NCLEX-RN before I got my results for CRNE. My school just had to fill out some papers and then send them to the Board of Nursing. I recommend you contact CNO and explain your situation to them. Well, I hope this helps! =)

gchelak · Oct 31, 2004

Good luck on the NCLEX tomorrow!

I had heard conflicting stories that the NCLEX was more difficut than the CRNE, but I wanted to hear from someone who knew. Do you have to go the the US to take the NCLEX or are you already living int he US? Just curious.

I did contact the CNO and they where the ones who told me that I could bypass the new rules that are coming in 2005 because I will already BE an RN coming into Canada if (WHEN) I pass the NCLEX.

I do have the Mosby's and the CNO study guides, but by the time I take the exam there, the format will have changed.

Thanks again for your advice, and GOOD LUCK tomorrow!

Gail

NCLEX_CareBear · Oct 31, 2004

Hi Gail! Thanks for your reply! I'm been studying really hard for the NCLEX-RN. I'm going to do my part and leave the rest up to God. I would also like to have to the option to work either in the US or in Canada. I'm living in Canada right now...But I will move to the US once I pass the NCLEX-RN. The NCLEX is not offered in Canada so I have to go to the US to write it.

Yes...the NCLEX-RN is MORE difficult than the CRNE. I'm not saying that because I'm writing the NCLEX-RN for the third time or that I passed the CRNE on my first try. Each exam focuses on different things...I remembered on the CRNE, there were lots of questions on therapeutic communication. Not too much on priorization, medication, delegation or physiology. Also the CRNE is on paper...you can skip a question and go back to it later or whatever.

I heard that people do well on the CRNE exam with just the CNO study guide. I'm not exactly sure what the new format for the CRNE is but I think the majority of the questions will still be multiple choice.

Well, let me know if you have another questions. =)

CareBear

gchelak · Nov 2, 2004

Definatey let me know how you did!

Thanks so much for the info. I know I have a long way to go, but I like to be prepared.

Gail

saskrn · Nov 7, 2004

I am currently in school in the US (1st semester RN) and I will be moving back to Canada once I am done (hubby already there).
In order to bypass the new rules that Alberta is imposing in 2005 (you have to be a BSN to take the CRNE) I have to take the NCLEX here first- THEN the CRNE in Canada to practice there (right?). I would take the NCLEX even if they didn't change the rules. I am a dual citizen and would be able to work in either country.
My question is: has anyone taken both exams fairly close together and how different are they (I know that the NCLEX has recently changed and the CRNE is following suit). I am hoping to study my NCLEX resources and be able to take both exams from that alone within a short time period. I know there are some drug differences between the countries, but is that all?
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Gail :roll

I took the NCLEX and the CNATS (is that the same as the CRNE?) close together, years ago. I didn't study for either of them. I figured after nursing school hell I had to know the stuff! :)

I found the NCLEX to be the easier exam. It only took 75 questions, and I was done. I think the trickiest part were the differences in drug names between the two countries. At the time, I would break the drug name down into sylables, etc, and try to figure out what the Canadian equivalent would be.

Good luck!

fergus51 · Nov 7, 2004

I took them close together and had an easier time with the NCLEX. I'm just not good at the psychosocial questions that were more prevalent on the Canadian exams. It always seemed like 2 of the answers could be right. Lab values were the other big difference.

NCLEX_CareBear · Nov 7, 2004

Hi gchelak! Just want to let you know that I passed the NCLEX-RN!!! I can't believe it!!! =)

gchelak · Nov 14, 2004

NCLEX_CareBear:

Congratulations!! You found out very quickly! In Texas, I will have to wait for weeks to find out if I passed.

I am still confused about which test is harder from the posts that I received.

My only concern is being able to study silmultaneously for both - or if I have to do something different for the Canadian boards. I can't just pop in without studying like saskrn- she must be a BRAIN!

Gail

peeps79 · Nov 14, 2004

I studied for both very close together. I remember clearly that I was more stressed about the NCLEX (I'm canadian) because I wasn't sure about the education differences. I remember they were very different from eachother (I wrote the Canadian exam in Alberta and it was a full day for 2 actual tests (lunch break in between). I wrote my NCLEX in Montana and it was all computer based, and I couldn't go back and change answers. As far as the questions were concerned, the CRNE questions were broader in scope, questioning more on Critical thinking skills and how you would use your nursing knowledge to remedy familiar and unfamiliar situations. The medication questions focused more on drug Classes than actual names, as names of medication can change all the time (ie. Gravol aka Dimenhydrinate is known as Dramamine in USA and so forth). The NCLEX was specific to disease and the treatments of it, Drugs, drug names and specific drug side effects, and also delegation to nursing assistants (There was NONE of that delegation stuff on my Canadian exam). My opinion is that if you can get past the nitty gritty details of the NCLEX, you are a shoe-in for the Canadian exam, (which also had community needs and education as an emphasis). I studied harder for the NCLEX than ANY test I've ever written and STILL came out feeling like I was an idiot!

Good luck to all who take both. It'll be a stressful time of study but well worth it!

gchelak · Nov 14, 2004

WOW! Thanks for the information. I will be writing the Canadian exam after the format change- so I am not sure what that all entails.

You did pass the NCLEX, right? I intend to study my a$$ off too because I am under such a tight schedule. It would really mess me up if I did not pass one of my nursing classes (just about done S1) or one of the two board exams.

I am surprised that the Canadian exam is on paper- I wonder if that will change. How many questions were each test and how long do you have? (did you take the whole amount of time?)

Thanks for the info- congratulations on your achievement!

Gail

NCLEX_CareBear · Nov 14, 2004

Hi gchelak! The NCLEX-RN is definitely harder than the CRNE. I truly believe that if you pass the NCLEX-RN, you will have no problem passing the CRNE.

I took the CRNE on June 2004. I had about 180-some questions on the first part and very similar number of questions on the second half. If I remember correctly, you have 3 hours to do each part. 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for Part A. 1 hour break for lunch. 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. for Part B. I think it took me about 2.5 hours per part. Don't worry...you have plenty of time to do the exam.

I wish all the best!!!

CareBear : )