CMC exam

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Specializes in MICU.

I just passed the CCRN, and now I'm thinking of taking the CMC exam. Has anyone here taken it? I saw a few posts, but they were mostly a little older.

The passing rate isn't as good as the CCRN passing rate.

Does anyone have advice to prepare?

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Specializes in CVICU, CCU, MICU.

I took the CMC test and passed it back in March. I found this test to be more difficult than the CCRN most likely because it's more focused. I used the Pass CCRN cd rom and studied the cardiac questions on there and also bought a cd from AACN with practice questions. I would advise studying various cardiac conditions like cardiomyopathies and different types of MI's and learning how each treatment is different. Most of the questions relied on that type of knowledge. Good luck!

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Specializes in MICU.

Thanks for the input, and congrats on passing.

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I thought the CMC exam was one of the hardest I've ever taken, and that's including the CHFN, CCRN, and CSC exams. I used the Exam secrets series, It's a bright yellow book, found it on Amazon. It's the only book I've found on the actual test.

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Specializes in MICU.

Not gonna lie bro the CMC is hard. Took the CCRN in Janurary and passed with ease. The CMC i took in Feb and passed with a minimum score. The test is super focused so know everything in regards to MIs, IABP, PA catheters and the numbers that they give you, and know cardiac meds. The AACN gives you a free sample question pdf file which is helpful. Good luck brother

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Took mine in 2015. I thought it was a bit more challenging than the CCRN. One of the biggest challenges was the lack of information and test prep materials at the time. I used Cammy House-Francher's test prep, which I thought was very helpful (much like her CCRN courses). Her course included a lot of practice questions in addition to around 10 hours of lectures.

I'm renewing my CCRN this year (by exam) so I just went to one of Cammy's in-person CCRN review courses last month. I chatted with her a bit and she mentioned that the CMC changed a bit last year. She retested recently and said they took out a lot of the Swan number interpretation type questions (since almost no one uses swans anymore).

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Specializes in MICU.

So I've spent a bit of time preparing now. I bought the prep course sold on the AACN website. It's incredibly in depth, and I've learned a ton. It has 100 questions with rationales at the end. I also bought the question book AACN sales. I took both exams and made notecards for the questions I missed. I'm gonna review these tests and the cardiac questions from the CCRN prep CD. I'm feeling much more prepared now and am probably gonna take the test in the next few weeks.

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I just took my CMC last week. It was definitely a challenge and thought I was gonna fail because I came to the testing center super sleepy. Only studying material was the online presentation that AACN offered. Passsed w flying colors - 68/75.. way better score than when I took my CCRN and CSC! Good luck!

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Good luck. Unfortunately I have no advice as my career as a cardiac nurse was short lived

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Specializes in MICU.

Passed this morning!

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Specializes in MICU.

I'm thinking of taking the CHFN next. Do you have any insight on preparing for that one?

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