I've been a med/surg nurse for 2 years and excited I became eligible to sit for certification. Unfortunately, there are little study resources for this exam. My employer offers a 2day certification prep course, but I couldn't reserve a seat because it filled up fast. So I was left to study on my own.
The text I used is Lippincott's Review for Medical Surgical Nursing Certification, by Lippincott, 5th Edition. I read the entire text and took the practice exams. I also found some questions on amazon for $10.
The day of the exam, I felt very well prepared and confident. However, after the first 10 questions, I was dumbfounded. The questions are difficult and concrete. You must know nursing content. It's hard to isolate/deduce answer options, Some questions provided answers that seemed all wrong, while other questions provided answers that seemed all right! I didn't feel prepared and for the next two hours, I felt despair. I was going to fail and felt humiliation and pity creeping in.
The exam is 3.5 hours. 175 questions. ( I completed the exam in 2 hours) You are allowed to revisit the entire exam as much as you like so I went back to review about 75 questions (the questions I felt I guessed
After I submitted the exam, you're given the option of completing a survey ( you bet I vented my frustration on this survey. ) I walked to the front reception to get my results. To my shock, I passed. I felt faint and euphoric.
Moral of the story, I don't believe a two day course will prepare you for this exam, you must review nursing content. Take as many practice questions as humanely possible. Read the text I recommended.
I've earned my stripes, I am RN-BC !!! (Registered Nurse - Board Certified)
