CNOR exam: how was it?

Editorial Team / Admin · May 14, 2020

Thread moved to Operating Room forum.

It's been a very long time since I took my exam; however, I do provide review materials to some of the nurses who decide they would like to take the test. Personally, I don't think the questions are horribly difficult, but if you don't have a broad experience you definitely want to study up on the areas you're not that experienced in. Don't forget to check CCI for the test blueprint- it'll tell you the percentage of questions in each topic. They've also got a free review plan.

amysgonnabeanurse, BSN · May 14, 2020

Thank you for your reply! I’m using Zander Periop education right now for my studying. I don’t feel the practice exam was terribly difficult (as you mentioned prior regarding the actual exam). I just was hoping to get an idea of how it went for others. I feel confident now that you said it wasn’t too bad!

scrubulator · Aug 14, 2020

hard. I've heard many stories of people getting questions outside of the surgical speciality (as if the computer knew-LOL). Mine was pretty fair (from what I remember not many anesthesia questions .....no ophthalmology & no math questions!) My biggest challenges were the sterilization methods and temps. Do a prep course, theres a few CNOR apps out there too. Also, if you can check out the books CNOR suggest and read chapters for areas you feel weak in. Some ORs own them, mine didn't so I had to go to a medical library.

You find out if you pass then and there (unlike NCLEX). BEST OF LUCK!

hopeloveRN · Aug 14, 2020

Hello RNs..

Saw this post. taking my cnor the soonest. Any handouts or reviewers you can share with me? Thank you so much and God bless!

scrubulator · Aug 14, 2020

I took it a few years back...2015? My hospital had a prep course and we got a binder of stuff but mine are probably outdated.

Just remember, you passed your NCLEX and that was hard. You can do this!!

PONI_ORRN, BSN, MSN · Aug 24, 2020

I was mindboggled by the exam - a lot of the questions surprised me and for me, I got more questions regarding knowing other role's jobs such as sterilization/processing, anesthesia concepts.

The CCI flashcards were helpful, and I got this app (CNOR Pocket Prep) that helped me study on my breaks as well. The AORN CNOR Review course was a good extensive review but I never got around to finishing it because I felt like it was dragging too long.

bf317 · Sep 8, 2020

Rose_Queen,

I am scheduled for an upcoming CNOR test. I would appreciate any materials you might have to share. I was not able to private message you for some reason.

Editorial Team / Admin · Sep 8, 2020

6 hours ago, bf317 said:

I would appreciate any materials you might have to share.

The materials that I have to share are owned by my facility for our employees' use. They are the same book and flashcards available on www.cc-institute.org

6 hours ago, bf317 said:

I was not able to private message you for some reason.

Private messages aren't available until you have 15 posts.

bf317 · Sep 8, 2020

OK. Thank you for your reply.

I have the CCI book and flashcards.

amysgonnabeanurse, BSN · Sep 12, 2020

I passed the exam is less clinical and more of a series of riddles that you have to decipher. The questions do relate to the perioperative environment including SPD, pacu/ preop and OR; but are asked in ways that mostly attempt to confuse the test taker as opposed to being straight forward. Bottom line the answer to the question is there, but you need to decipher the riddle first. Read the question thoroughly and don't over think it. I encourage you to also answer the question as if it would be reality as opposed to the utopia way of thinking that most exams imply. For example if an implant fell on the floor - you are going to go get another one if one of the answers is that. You are not going to wait an hour for sterilization while a patient is under general. You are not going to cancel the surgery and wake the patient etc. I hope this seems logical. Hope it helps.