Becoming Certified

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Hello all,

This was posted previously in the past, but several years ago.

I just applied to take my CMSRN exam to become med/surg certified. I've been a nurse on a med/surg unit for 2 years. For those that have taken this exam recently, what did you study? Any great books you recommend? What suggestions would you have for studying?

Thank you in advance!

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Have you been on the AMSN website? Those books are very good.

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I just took the test a few days ago and it was pretty easy. Really similar to boards. On the med/surg nurses association webpage they sell a review book for $40. I used that and some NCLEX books and did fine.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Neuro, Respiratory.

Thanks for the tips tokmom and midwestRN12! I hope to take the CMSRN exam early next year but it never hurts to start prepping early. Several of my colleagues have said that it was harder than the NCLEX but I guess I'll have to wait and see!

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

I took my nclex back in '89 when it was two days and 800 questions, so it doesn't compare with that. It isn't brain wracking. It's just more detailed maybe?

I had three penile implant questions. Ummm. Never took care on one unless it was infected, lol.

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Specializes in LTC, assisted living, med-surg, psych.

At the time I became a CMSRN, I was practicing med/surg nursing and didn't really study a lot. The day came to take the exam, and I was done in 40 minutes. It was mostly commonsense questions. I kept waiting for the test to get harder, like NCLEX, but it never did and I passed with flying colors. :)

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Gyn, Pospartum & Psych.

penile implant?!? oh no! I now work on a "women only" med/surg floor....maybe I better read up on male specific med/surg issues....

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Specializes in ER, Med Surg, Ob/Gyn, Clinical teaching.
At the time I became a CMSRN, I was practicing med/surg nursing and didn't really study a lot. The day came to take the exam, and I was done in 40 minutes. It was mostly commonsense questions. I kept waiting for the test to get harder, like NCLEX, but it never did and I passed with flying colors. :)

How often can the certification be renewed? Thanks!

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Specializes in Certified Med/Surg tele, and other stuff.

Every five years

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Do you still have your review book?

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Just an update. I took the Medical Surgical certification and passed. I used the book they sell to study. I read pretty much everything and focused on those areas where I was a bit weaker. It was 150 questions and took me about an hour.

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