Board Certification for Med/Surg

I received my Med-Surg certification one and one half years ago. For some strange reason, I got the date wrong and thought I had another couple of weeks to study for the exam. When I talked to a co-worker who was also taking the exam, she helped me to realize the exam was the coming Saturday and I was scheduled to work 3 to 11 shift the Friday night before! I ended up calling out (which I HATE to do if I'm not sick) because I not only needed the time to cram but I also had to get up very early to travel to the test site.

Fortunately, I'd been studying a little bit in the preceding weeks and used books I found in the nursing section of Atlantic Book Warehouse. One was "Pathophysiology Made Incredibly Easy" and the other was a book of tests, "Medical Surgical Nursing". The test book was particularly helpful because I could discover areas in which I needed more work/study. I also went back over my NCLEX-RN books and my nursing school books for any greater clarification needs. Sorry I don't have any suggestions for tapes!

On another note, I've decided that I'm not willing to get the 150 CEU credits needed every five years to maintain my certification. My hospital will only pay for one conference/year and I'm not willing to shell out the money needed to pay for all those CEU's. If I have to, I'll retake the exam. (Our hospital will reimburse the cost of the exam if you pass.) We don't get any extra benefits for being certified, but I wanted to prove to myself I could do it and I'm glad I did.

I am board certified in Orthopaedics Have been since 1998 Ordered tapes and books from the ortho site and also CD with test questions on it..The book test was waaaaaaaaaaay old but the CD's were current.. The tapes were nice because as you say I could listen when walking and on the way to work. I think there are two certifications. Regular if you have ADN or diploma and Board Certified if you have BSN Many certifications wanted to be only available to BSN so that is why they divided them.. I don't really see the difference in education affecting certification but I had no say it the matter LOL

bobbi

Good luck to you and remember to just take a deep breath you know more than you think you do...............

"RN-PA:

Now that is dedication.... retaking your test every 5 years!

You probably know this, but for each credit hour of college class, it is equivalent to 15 hrs CEU (I think this may vary from state to state)... so 150 CEU's would be 10 college credit hours; or does that have to be specific nursing stuff?"

Nightngale, I'm not sure I'll take the exam again and I'm too cheap to pay for all the courses for the necessary CEU's. It was a way for me to "make peace" with Med-Surg nursing and to prove that I could do it. (It's also nice to sign RNC after my name, too!)

I wish you all the best and success with the exam!

I am studying now for the test which I will take on May 18th. I listened to the tape course from the ANCC which was good, but cost $280.00 and was dated 1998. I am also using ALL my books from when I was in school. There is so much to study, I hope I pass. I too would appreciate any tips anyone has to offer. The test cost around $300.00 to take, and if I fail, my job wont reimburse me. I have been studying since February, I try to study 4 days a week for at least 2 hrs when I wake up.(some days I just cant stand to do it though.) I have been a nurse for only 3 years and Im worried that might hinder my knowledge, the stuff I really remember happens on the job. Good Luck to anyone else who takes the test!

RN-PA said:

I received my Med-Surg certification one and one half years ago. For some strange reason, I got the date wrong and thought I had another couple of weeks to study for the exam. When I talked to a co-worker who was also taking the exam, she helped me to realize the exam was the coming Saturday and I was scheduled to work 3 to 11 shift the Friday night before! I ended up calling out (which I HATE to do if I'm not sick) because I not only needed the time to cram but I also had to get up very early to travel to the test site.

I posted this a while back, LA-NJRN, and I wanted to re-post it to remind you that I passed without studying very much at all, compared to how much I studied in nursing school. Believe me, I'm no brainiac and, although I was EXTREMELY upset and stressed when I realized I'd somehow gotten the dates of the Certification exam wrong :imbar, it enabled me to focus-- that is, CRAM in a short period of time-- especially on areas I knew I was rusty in. I found taking practice tests early on was very helpful because I was able to see in what area I needed more study.

I'm not minimizing that it wasn't a challenging test but to encourage you to realize you know more than you think and, from all the studying you've obviously been doing, you should do fantastically well-- Good luck!:)

ShannonRN,

I did a Google search and found this site which lists many specialty certifications and the corresponding initials. (I couldn't find Med-Surg initial there which is "RNC"-- RN Certified) Hope it helps!

http://www.springnet.com/certification/top.htm

Ive purchased those MEd.Surg. tapes for certification review with purpose not of becoming Med Surg certified but for my own review,curiosity and learning.

I am certified in gerontology. So I get to put a C along with RN+ RNC. I guess Im fulfilling Maslows need for self esteem,and the esteem of others.