taken boards max. times and failed

loveanesthesia · Jan 25, 2009

The fact that the AANA is toying with the idea of starting one is simple proof of that.

The AANA is not 'toying' with the idea of recertification, Recertification has been a requirement since the 1960's. Every nurse anesthetist is Certified and maintains their certification through recertification. The Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists is continuously evaluating the best way of improving patient care through Recertification. An exam has little to support it rather than it has face value, meaing it sounds good if you really don't understand much about anesthesia. There is little correlation between having good test taking abilities and clinical performance. Unfortunately sometimes face value is more important than it should be. Also it is not productive to attempt to create tension between CRNAs and Anesthesiologitsts through pointless comparisons. Patient care is the focus.

californianurse · Jan 26, 2009

...Back to the main topic of this thread....

Jax13, What have you learned about your situation since you last posted on Jan 15, and what have you decided to do? My heart goes out to you.

jwk · Jan 26, 2009

Hummmmmmmmmmmmm...looks like their doing away with ABA exam and moving to career portfolio review.
Sounds similar to:
AANA: Frequently Asked Questions for Recertification completed every TWO years.

Taking things out of context makes it difficult to interpret. The recertification process in anesthesiology was optional prior to 2000. Those finishing in 2000 or later are required to participate in the MOCA process, which DOES include a recertification exam, as a condition of maintaining board certification.

The initial certification exam remains unchanged.

The AANA is not 'toying' with the idea of recertification, Recertification has been a requirement since the 1960's. Every nurse anesthetist is Certified and maintains their certification through recertification. The Council on Recertification of Nurse Anesthetists is continuously evaluating the best way of improving patient care through Recertification. An exam has little to support it rather than it has face value, meaing it sounds good if you really don't understand much about anesthesia. There is little correlation between having good test taking abilities and clinical performance. Unfortunately sometimes face value is more important than it should be. Also it is not productive to attempt to create tension between CRNAs and Anesthesiologitsts through pointless comparisons. Patient care is the focus.

Again, taking things out of context makes it more difficult to understand, so let's be clear - the AANA is in fact toying with the idea of a recertification exam. By your logic, there would be no sense in even taking an initial certification exam. Is that what your position would be?

You may not like the comparisons, but they are certainly not pointless. CRNA's are not the same as anesthesiologists, regardless of how much they would like the public to think they are.

loveanesthesia · Jan 26, 2009

By your logic, there would be no sense in even taking an initial certification exam. Is that what your position would be?
You may not like the comparisons, but they are certainly not pointless. CRNA's are not the same as anesthesiologists, regardless of how much they would like the public to think they are.

I addressed the initial certification in a previous post, but it was a long post, so I'll repeat: The initial certification exam is not the best indication of competence, the fact that the graduate completed and graduated from a nurse anesthesia program where their practice was observed by experts and judged to be safe is the best indication.

The comparison is pointless to me, evidently you find value in it, but what we agree on is that CRNA's are not the same as anesthesiologists. You're right and you have the last word.

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jan 28, 2009

Last time I checked, the name of this website was ALLNURSES.com

Am I wrong?

sbgradinnb · Jan 29, 2009

Can you PLEASE let us know whaat CRNA school you attended!

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · Jan 29, 2009

WHEW! That was exhausting!

Back to the original post, yes, what school do you go to? Did you go to any test prep courses? What were your grades in school? Do you just have test anxiety? Maybe you need to take test taking class. There is a science to the help they can provide.

RNNJ · Feb 1, 2009

Argh! How many times have you taken the boards and what did you study from? That is a fear we all share. My first language isn't english and I have a hard time with tests. So I am fearing that myself. Hope you find a cure. Keep us posted.

suzanne4, RN · Feb 10, 2009

play nice time is in effect here.

we ask that you stick to what the op was asking and not personally attack one other. this does not help them with their problem and that is why they came here in the first place.

thanks for your understanding on this.

foraneman · Feb 18, 2009

Adult supervision!

The OP seems to have left before getting answers to her questions.....perhaps a contributing factor?

jdelia1 · May 17, 2009

I know this is an old post, but I myself have now failed the CRNA boards twice (got a 445 last time, ouch!). Never thought it would happen in a million years. The word is you get eight attempts in 2 years and if are not successful you must re-complete an accredited anesthesia program start to finish. I truly wish this were not the case. However, if you graduated more than 2 years ago I believe you are "grandfathered" into the old rule of unlimited attempts.

Qwiigley, BSN, MSN, DNP, RN, CRNA · May 24, 2009

I think that if you have not been able to pass the test after the allotted times, that, I'm so sorry, maybe you should look for another career. There are so many careers in nursing, you don't have to do anesthesia.

What if you were to pass and you start your practice and (HEAVEN FORBIT) someone dies. I really don't think you could live with yourself. I have made minor mistakes myself, and I was traumatized. I know you really want to do this, but what we want and what is best is not always the same. I'm sorry.