COS - C

I went in January to the conference and sat for the COS-C exam ( and passed :)). It was 2 very long but very informative days. The seminar as well as the binder full of rationales for the "M" questions has been very helpful in my understanding of OASIS as well as helping my agency/other RNs as well. While I dont agree with ALL of the rationales...I like knowing what Medicare is looking for and it has helped me with documentation to help justify my answers ( MC surveyors just finished up their visits and we passed with only 1 small needed change....)

You can use the binder that you get for taking the exam (SO helpful). It is like NCLEX on the OASIS. There were many questions that I knew without looking but there was also lots that I needed to look up...just b/c of the way it was worded. My biggest problem area was coding b/c we have a FT coder...but the coding questions were only on the basic coding stuff that was covered in the seminar. Some scenario questions, some direct questions..all multiple choice. Had to wait about 5 weeks for results, but in 3 yrs will be able to test via computer with instant results. Anyway...if you have more specific questions let me know. I'm glad that I did it

How many questions was the exam? I noticed that they only give 2.5 hours for it.

It was 100 questions. I am a fast test taker and it took me 2 hours. It leaves you feeling almost as clueless as the NCLEX did...not quite, because we do this all the time. Also, we have been doing OASIS C for a little bit now too...so that may help. My agency does OASIS NP (through fazzi) monthly too...but of course, it did not hep back in January. If you pay attention to the items that they point out in the seminar and you know where to find info in the binder they give you ( has wound care guidance, the CMS q&a, Chap 3, as well as the specific question by question info on the 'M" questions)...you should be fine. I think they said it is a 76% pass rate.

Thanks for the tips. I think I will take along some of those highliter-colored sticky page pointer-outer things so that I can mark as I go any areas that they point out as being "testable."

It's been a really long time since I took NCLEX, but I've always been a really good/fast test-taker. Hopefully that hasn't changed.

Good luck to you. It is a real sense of accomplishment to have done it. Let me know how it goes!!

I also took the class and sat for the exam in January (annaedRN, wonder if we were in the same place? - Peoria IL for me)

I have done OASIS for a long time but still learned a great deal. I agree with everything annaedRN said, and was also glad to have done it. The book I received has the cover almost torn off it and dog-eared pages because I have referenced it so many times. I would recommend it. Having that COS-C behind your name also looks pretty good on a resume, which is always nice.

HmarieD - Pennsylvania for me.

I found it really interesting to be in a room full of all HH nurses/PT/employees (versus most seminars of mostly hospital/LTC nurses)..it was fun to compare notes on how everyone does things, software pros and cons, similar gripes with OASIS and doctors, etc...neat experience!

Now I'm getting excited. Do they have vendors there as well?

• The one I went to didn't...but that would have been cool. It was more the networking factor...talking to all these different people from the different agencies from all over the state. It seemed to be mostly nurses, but there was also QI/QA staff, PTs, DON. After hearing alot of these people talk, it made feel that my agency did a pretty good job of getting us ready for the big switch. At the lunch break, we all did alot of "how do you guys do this...how do you do that..." everything from oncall, to charting, to supplies, to scheduling, case load, daily scheduling. ALot of us stayed at the hotel it was held at...and even hung out a little after the seminar ended. You'll have a good time - your brain is on overload...it really helps you get a good understanding of all the OASIS questions, but like I said, it is worth it. And like HmarieD siad - having the COS-C after your name is great!