Best way to study for CNOR exam

Specialties Operating Room

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Hi- I am considering taking the CNOR exam. First off I am taking it under duress and not happy about it as my job will be requiring it of all RN 4 nurses. I am already an RN4 and would like to keep my paygrade. Looking at the study guide it looks like it is mostly all text and very few question oriented material. I think i do better with drill questions for studying as opposed to reading a book. also for such a "comprehensive " test not to mention HUGELY expensive in my opinion the studyguide seems relatively small. I am interested to know what was the best way to study and if their are any study materials you would recommend? Their are lots of refresher courses out there but not sure if this would be the most efficient use of my time and money. Again they are expensive and my employer covers them only if you take the test within one year and pass. Any advice would be appreciated? This requirement has not become an official mandate yet but i'm hearing the rumor from department heads.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

Our hospital also started requiring our CN3's to get CNOR certified. I found that studying the Berry and Kohn's Operating Room Technique was the most helpful. I had a study guide that a friend had given me from AORN, but it wasn't extremely helpful. The majority of the questions are about sterility and different techniques that we use for certain instruments. You must know that COLD. There are also lots of questions about conscious sedation. Know which nerves are compromised in each position for procedures. The rest you can get through, because it is stuff you do everyday.

I hope this helps!

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Specializes in OR.

I used the CNOR Review book sold by CCI, and also bought a copy of standards with the self study contact hr kit. I DID NOT read the standards, but I did the self study packet and looked things up along the way. There was no way I could have READ all the standards. BUt as I did practice questions from the review book, I would reference the standards. Also used Alexander's, Phippen & Wells book, and the "Essentials" book by Cynthia Spry (the book I learned OR Nursing from when I was on orientation years ago!). Just remember you are being tested on things YOU DO EVERY DAY. YOU KNOW THE ANSWERS. Don't panic!! Several colleagues are taking/studying for the exam now, and those who have taken it recenlty mentioned needing to know ABGs, local anesthetic principles, and a lot on sterilization parameters. Positioning is a biggie too--but you position pts every day, so just review the "at risk" factors for each position. Set a time line for studying and registering for the exam and then just do it. If you just say you're going to take it but never set a goal date you may wind up studying for years which is not a good thing!! Good luck! I started studying in Sept, then tested the following Sept (but then again, I only had the min 2yrs experience in when I started studying. Knowing what I know now, I would have tested sooner after starting my studying.)

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Specializes in Peri-Op.

just out of curioustiy, what is the differencein paygrade from an RN2 to an RN4. I am not familiar with this ranking.

I agree with canesdukegirl. Know the sterilization, decontamination process. Know the standards for humidity/temperatures in all areas of the OR. Know about CJD and proper sterilization of those instruments.... Know about anesth gases, anesthesia drugs, conscious sedation drugs/monitoring, recovery/rescue drugs. Standards and practices in general in the OR, ABGs..... The AORN and CCI review book obviously is the best one to get since the test is on AORN standars....

I read a review book through once over about a day, took the test. Passed. I think it was 200 questions straight through.

It should not be out of duress, people should want to learn/advance their skillset. I think it is great that your hospitals are requiring it for advancement, I wish more did. It makes nurses more aware of what they SHOULD be aware of instead of their cell phones. I am one of 3 nurses in my OR which has 20 fulltime RN circulators and 3 pool that have my CNOR. I was the only one at my prior facility that had 10 full time RN circulators... If you cant pass it, how can you say that your are senior or better to the RN3 or RN2 with less experience but more knowledge/ability to pass the test?

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.

OP, I took the practice test that CCI offers for the CNOR exam. I did not find that to be in the least bit helpful, because the practice exam did not adequately reflect the level of difficulty in the actual exam. I paid $40 for 40 questions.

I forgot about the ABG questions. There are MANY of these on the exam.

Argo, the difference in pay grade from RN2 to RN3 is about 2 bucks an hour more. I believe that an RN4 makes significantly more than this, but requires a ton more experience and knowledge.

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I have been certified for 15 years. Each time I have found it more economical to retake the test as opposed to getting the CEUs. I most recently took the test last year. IT WAS HARD! The other times I have taken the test I felt it was very reflective of the work that we do in the OR. This third time taking the test was much different. There seemed to be a lot of focus on pre and postop. I work in a large teaching hospital and for better or worse, don't do that part of patient care. Good luck to you. Even though you are not happy to be doing this, it is very worthwhile.

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Specializes in Trauma Surgery, Nursing Management.
I have been certified for 15 years. Each time I have found it more economical to retake the test as opposed to getting the CEUs. I most recently took the test last year. IT WAS HARD! The other times I have taken the test I felt it was very reflective of the work that we do in the OR. This third time taking the test was much different. There seemed to be a lot of focus on pre and postop. I work in a large teaching hospital and for better or worse, don't do that part of patient care. Good luck to you. Even though you are not happy to be doing this, it is very worthwhile.

I also found that there were lots of pre and post op questions. I was surprised that there were so many questions regarding lab values and conscious sedation. Our anesthesia staff handle that part of the OR, so I had to reach WAY back into my memory bank to get those questions right. I just knew at question 130 that I had failed it. Imagine my surprise when they told me I passed! I was surprised that there were a lot of nursing diagnosis questions too. It is a very difficult exam-for me it was much harder than the NCLEX.

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