CARN Test Preparation

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Does anyone have any advice on materials that I can get to help me study for the CARN exam? I see many references to a book that is sold on Amazon but there are 3 reviews and they are all terrible. HELP!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Have you went to the INTNSA website and see if they have any recommendations?

I need to get cracking on studying as well. I'm hoping to test this fall.

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Specializes in Addiction.

IntNSA is updating the study guide. It should be available in the next month or so... Be sure to check out the test matrix it has changed quite a bit.

NCFADS has a review course every summer in Wilmington, NC. You can check out that web site. Plus IntNSA has a review course every year at the conference. It will be in Washington, again this year.

I took the CARN-AP this past fall, it was a lot of appication and critical thinking... not much in the way of strick "if this ...answer that" type questions.

Best of look!!!!! faith

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
IntNSA is updating the study guide. It should be available in the next month or so... Be sure to check out the test matrix it has changed quite a bit.

Good to know...thanks for the heads' up! :)

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Specializes in Chemical Dependency, Corrections.

I studied for 6 months to prepare for the CARN examination."Rudman's Questions and Answers on the CARN Examination" from the Admission test Series was not helpful. "Nursing Care of the Addicted Client" (Karen Allen)was the one reference I would recommend as the ONE most comprehensive and helpful. There were several questions relating to the Developmental Model of Recovery and I agree, a lot of critical thinking. Best of Luck, Tom, CARN

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Specializes in Addiction.

The sources I used the most are "Uppers, Downers, All Arounders : Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs" Darryl Inaba & William Cohen

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Good to know...thanks for the heads' up! :)

The new study guide won't be out in time for the May exam. At least as far as I have been told.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
The new study guide won't be out in time for the May exam. At least as far as I have been told.

That's ok with me, the earliest I could take it is October anyway.

But also good to know, thank you!

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Specializes in Addiction.

Wow! New Study guide is available!!!!!! Check out IntNSA website store... electronic and hardcopy available.

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Hi cfaith,

did you use the carn study guide? Looking at the intnsa store of form and perusing through information on the exam, I only see the carn (not the carn-ap) study guide. Are they one in the same?

I'll be taking the exam this spring 2015. About how long did you put into studying? Is it comparable to the ancc boards I wonder. Thanks in advance for any input you might have.

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bpu-psych ----This is cfaith Big time trouble logging on recreated logon.... Yes I used the study guide BUT is was the older edition. The new edition. The new edition was constructed with the new test matrix so it includes CARN-AP information. That said you should also use an advanced practice test book....

I also took the review class held at the annual IntNSA conference each year.

Best of luck!

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I am also planning to take the CARN certification. I am struggling to find books that are specific for Addiction Nursing, and the books that are listed on Intnsa site are horrible according to some reviews.

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