Any Nurse Considering CARN?

Specialties Addictions

Published

Specializes in Acute Mental Health.

I've been considering testing for the CARN but have not been able to find any good study guides.  I recently found Statpearls has an online study/test/ceu guide that includes over 300 questions/answers with rationals. I was absolutely pumped and signed up for 6 months.  I have been working with substance abuse for over 8yrs.  After doing some of these questions, I feel like I've been living in a fantasy land. Has anyone checked this out and maybe is working through these?  I have to admit, it is so much more difficult than the ANCC Psych certification.  I am not doing well at all and am wondering if the exam is going to be as difficult...

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Hey there,Not sure if you have already taken the exam, but I purchased and reviewed the StatPearl questions (all 449). The questions were definitely thorough and thought provoking. I also viewed several of the PCSS courses on addiction, which are super helpful.  I am reviewing the ASAM book for any specific areas. There is a CARN Review Course (2 parts; 4 hours each) I went to the first one and it as very helpful, since its live with actual certified CARN practitioners who have insight to the test content. I hope I do well and pass on the first try; I also plan on looking at CARN flashcards on Quizlet. Good Luck and let me know how it goes!:)

L. Rayburn DNP, FNP-BC 

CARN review Course: 

https://www.bmcobat.org/training/register/index.php?category=100&date= 

PCSS Webinars:

https://pcssnow.org/education-training/sud-core-curriculum/

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Did you end up taking the exam? Thank you for the references. 

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No problem:)

I took the CARN-AP June 12 after 2 weeks of hardcore studying and passed; it was pretty difficult. The hardest cert exam I have taken.

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Congratulations! ? it usually takes ppl 6 months to test , amazing job! 

which reviews would you recommend and which study questions should I focus on and was similar? What makes it hard?

also what site did you use for your CEC credits? And ho was the application process?
 

thank you in advance. Congrats again!

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Thank you! I have a little baby and work so I studied when I could and watched the webinars; I studied hard and just got to a point where I was mentally exhausted and felt that I could pass 75% or more. I definitely see why I’m now the 16th CARN-AP in Texas; definitely no way to BS this cert. you either know it or you don’t. The answer choices make sure of that. 
 

which reviews would you recommend and which study questions should I focus on and was similar? 

I used everything I posted above: PCSS, Youtube videos for a couple explanations like the GABA/ Gltmaate in reference to alcohol etc. StatPearls was great, but ONLY good for the psychopharmacology. I only ended up doing part 2 of the BMCOBAT 2 part webinars.

https://www.bmcobat.org/training/register/index.php?category=100&date=

What makes it hard?

The wording was very specific. You have to know exactly what they’re talking about. It wasn’t like you could just go down to 2 answer choices like the NCLEX or ANCC 

Also what site did you use for your CEC credits?

I used CEUFast and https://learning.overdoselifeline.org/users/sign_in (I paid $300 for the 20 credit bundle)

And how was the application process?
 it was easy, I just had my supervisor sign off on it all, typed in the CEs and did exactly what they said

my organization pays $1,000 for the cert so I didn’t mind paying. The lifeline was soooo helpful. Definitely worth every penny.

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Thank you so much. In what capacity will you be using your cert? And also the BMCOBAT offers free CEC. Should I still pay for the $300 for lifeline because it will be helpful for the exam? 

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I was in a crunch and liked that I got 20 CEs. The information was very useful; however $300 is nothing to overlook. I say if you can get them for free do that. I also used CEUFast and some free ones from my organization. I was just tired of getting the 0.5/1 credit courses. I wanted to bundle 

 BMCOBAT + PCSS do an exceptional job with the content. I however did find myself going back to Lifeline to reference the content (which I honestly never thought I would do) but it was helpful. 

I plan on working in primary care (since I am an FNP) and treating patients with substance use disorders.

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Congratulations on the exam passing. 16th in TX!

Thank you for sharing your experience. Which bundle did you pick?

Did you use the Asam principles textbook?

Thank you!

Daniela

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Thank you!

Here is the link to the bundle: https://learning.overdoselifeline.org/bundles/ancc-certificate-bundle

No, I did not use or purchase any textbooks; just did what I listed out in my previous post. In my first reply I mentioned getting it and that was because I planned on it, but decided not to in the end.

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I'm very grateful for your initial post. It's been challenging finding educational tools so when I came across your answer it was like the sun had just come up. Thank you a thousand times and I hope your baby is doing great and that your job is fulfilling.

Daniela

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Oh Daniela (and anyone else),

You are most welcome! I truly believe in information sharing and not gate keeping haha; I also believe that if I know something that can help others I'm going to let people know (as I hope someone would let me know). Study materials for CARN were definitely buried and even then, there was not alot of specific info out saying what was actually useful. I can't tell you how glad it makes me to know this has helped. I truly wish you the best. Baby is doing wonderful; #2 on the way now ?

Laura

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