CARN Test Preparation

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

For excellent review questions with answers and rationales, check out the Substance Abuse sections of the Psychiatric Mental Health Certification Exam review texts and Psychiatry Board Exam review books (YES---the review books used by Physician students/residents are excellent brain teasers for disease/

symptom identification and treatment options in substance abuse for RNs).

In my professional opinion, the above resources are also excellent resources for general review.

Good luck and much success to you!