CRNA Boards help- URGENT

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Hi everyone---I really need to some help urgently. My dad was diagnosed with an illness right when I started studying for boards. That was heart breaking but he has a good prognosis. I pushed through and did the entire apex program. I thought it was great. I also purchased the 3 core concepts exams and did those. I also went to a valley review. On the day of boards, I have never been so anxious in my life. Left my place 45 minutes early, still got lost, was late and crying when I got to the testing center. It was just a real bad day. Did I mention both of my parents are CRNA's? No pressure. Long story short, I failed my boards. I am smart. I am very aware of my weaknesses. I scored highest in advanced principles and worse in basic principles. I retest in about 2 weeks and I don't know what I should be focusing on. Im all over the place. Right now I'm focusing on valley memory master and so far it seems to be helping. I need some very simple advice. Im limited on time and can't read a textbook, or do 50 different things. Thank you for taking the time to try and help. Seriously.

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Specializes in ICU.

I haven't taken boards, still in school. But, I have heard that Apex is the BEST resource to use for boards. Perhaps go through Apex, including the workbooks and practice exams again? You can also email the guys that run Apex, they will help you. See the First FAQ here! Frequently Asked Questions | APEX Anesthesia Review

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Specializes in Anesthesia.

IMHO Valley is no longer a good representative of boards. I would focus on what you missed from Apex and The core concepts exams and make flash cards for those questions plus any other questions you weren't entirely sure of and use that as your base study guide. You don't have time to focus on reading several different books. You need to focus on your weak areas. Also, you should handwrite your notecards since it has shown that writing increases memorization of the topic.

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Thank you and I agree. No time to waste.

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Thank you

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Great tips

Moved to SRNA forum for other tips from students. Best wishes - you got this!

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Ok thank you

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Not getting any replies in the SRNA forum, can we go back to the CRNA one?

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Specializes in CRNA.

You will pass! some really strong SRNAs have failed boards the past 2 or 3 years.

but why 2 weeks? How far off were you from the magic 450?

Anxiety may be an issue, and you should try to manage that.

It can seem like you should focus on the things you think you missed last time, but your next try will likely be completely different. For example you may have a lot on obesity on the first exam, and nothing on obesity the second exam. Review broadly. Don't be surprised that it seems harder the second time, because if you are doing better you will be given more difficult quesitons so don't let that make you anxious.

Don't give yourself a timeline that will not put yourself in the strongest position possible. If you fail a second time, your confidence can fall. Set yourself up for success. Maybe 2 weeks is the right time, and maybe 3 or 4 weeks is the right time.

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Specializes in SRNA.

I know this is an old thread but thought I’d give it a shot. I just graduated in Jan 2020. I got a 448 kn the SEE, had to take it 3 times to get score over 425. I continued to study for boards feeling pretty good. I took boards and failed with a 440. I took it again a week later and failed, I do t know the actual score yet but I feel it has to be between 440-450. I have gone through APEX multiple times and supplant with Valley. I know the info, but have never been a good standardized test taker. Any advice for what to do? I have 2 more chances left ?

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Specializes in CRNA.

Have you talked with your program? They know you and can get your scores. Is this the first year you’v taken boards? You have 2 years with 4 tries each, 8 total. Retaking in a week is a mistake. Don’t do that again. Get out your textbooks and the NCE outline and go through it over the next 6 weeks. All those people who swear by the reviews don’t understand that it is the studying from their textbooks that matters.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Thanks @loveanesthesia. I am going to use my notes and go back to Nagelhout and see what bullet points are there are correspond with what I know. I have also been studying by myself. Another classmate of mine also has to retake and we have decided to get together to study to be able to talk things out loud which I’m hoping will help. I also think that in the second attempt I second guessed myself a lot when thinking back to the first. I just need to be confident in what I know I know

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