CNOR Exam help please!!!!

[richardsrl]

Hi everyone,

I am strongly considering taking the CNOR exam after 10 years working in the OR. My Nurse Manager is really "encouraging" me.

My issue is that I am only a GYN/OB scrub nurse (in-house trained SA). I know NOTHING about cardiothoracic, ortho, neuro, etc. How difficult did any of you find it? How & what did you study? Is it a "common sense" exam? I do not absolutely HAVE to take it, but I would like to do it. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Becky

[umakemesmile]

I had the same concerns before I took the exam. We are a rural hosp.

I used the CNOR study books avail.,Alexander's and AORN standards. They should be all you need.

[poopsiebear]

I took the CNOR exam in 12/07 and the exam wasn't bad at all.

You definitely need to read the AORN Standards, Alexander's, and Berry and Kohn's texts. I printed the Study Guide from the CNOR Certification website for reference, and I took a review course 2 months before the exam.

You do need to know the basics from other services besides OB/GYN because you need to know the incision sites and positioning for other surgeries. You also need to know your anesthesia meds, malignant hyperthermia, infection control, and sterilization.

I think every OR nurse should take the exam. Studying for the exam made me understand better why I am doing what I am doing. I think nurses will be more conscientious of their practices when they know the rationale behind their actions.

Good luck on your exam.

[Annabelle07]

I agree with the other answers you have received. I took the exam about a year ago and was so freaked out I showed up to take the exam on the wrong day and almost got tested for English fluency!! Good Luck!!

[teenarn]

I just took the exam last week and basically there were a lot of questions about the standards, specifically, consents, sterile processing, bloody sponge drops on the floor, emergency surgical procedures, basically: each standard with a question. It wasn't really that difficult to take, mostly common sense if you have been in the environment for 10 years. Don't stress yourself out, they give you 4 hours but you can complete it in 2 or less. Good luck!

[Fun2, BSN, RN]

Is this test based like the NCLEX, or is there a standard amount of questions?

[teenarn]

there are no multiple/multiple questions, they are straight forward. Very readable, no trick questions, you just need to know your standards. Good luck!

[Diahni]

I know this is an old post, but the description of the CNOR vs. NCLEX sounds pretty dramatic! No multiple questions, readable, no trick questions? Wow!

Diahni

[travelgirl416]

I found that I had the most trouble with questions on sterilization... I never really took the time to see what went on in CPD, but my two exams (I failed the first time...by 3 points!) had tons of questions on steam sterilization, steris, gas, etc. Get the CNOR exam study questions and just practice, practice, practice! I found that doing the questions worked better than reading the book. I purchased both. Hope that helps a little...

[fracturenurse]

Get the AORN's standards book, and read it cover to cover. Alexander's helps too...Good luck! Just took it the other day, it was my second time, I let it expire the first time. Don't do that...Just keep up the CEU's so you don't have to retake it like me in 5 years. You'll do fine...Just know those standards!

[Helping Hands 41]

How do expect to pass an exam for OR competency when you have never worked in an OR. You should read the guidelines for sitting for CNOR and you will realize you are not qualified. Spend some time in the OR to learn the right way.