CRNE February 2012

Acadiana · Mar 10, 2012

Hi all,

I wrote my February CRNE in Hamilton, and passed on my first attempt. Congratulations to everyone who were successful, and to those who were not, don't give up! You now have a wealth of experience that you can bring to your next attempt, which I have no doubt will be advantageous in your preparation, and writing of the CRNE.

I am sorry to hear about the fire alarm in Toronto. I am sure it was disturbing to some of the candidates writing, and although I applaud your stances to advocate, as other members on this site have mentioned, what exactly are you attempting to get out of voicing your concern to CNO? Please allow me to play Devil's Advocate for a few moments.

Yes, you may contact CNO, but they could very well argue that there were a number of candidates who successfully passed the CRNE in the very same building where the fire alarm went off. You could also as the CNO to reconsider, however, the CNO might respond that the only option available is to apply to write the exam during a future exam date. Regardless of the circumstances surrounding the testing environment, once candidates sit down and open the exam, it counts as one attempt. I know my invigilator made that very clear before I began my exam, and even gave us a minute to contemplate and decide whether we would like leave or not. The only way CNO might provide reconsideration is if you were unsuccessful at your final attempt, however, that is dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

I think it is unreasonable to expect the proctor to forsee and ensure that there is no fire alarm throughout the course of the exam. What could have happened if there was an actual fire in the building and nobody would have heard it? Fire alarms are there for a reason. Additionally, I am sure we have all wrote numerous exams in our 4 year, and accelerated nursing degrees to realize that we must be prepared for everything that could happen during an exam. I, for instance, brought earplugs, and Advil to help with distractions and headaches. I also read a chapter in my test taking strategies textbook about maintaining my concentration throughout the exam, and used the techniques offered frequently. Finally, I went into the exam with a "game plan" to deal with less than ideal environments. I was prepared to talk to the invigilator about being relocated to another table, should the lighting be sub par.

If I was placed in that situation, I would have contacted CNO about the fire alarm that afternoon, or the following day. In my opinion, waiting over a month until the results have been scored, and released seems too long. In February, maybe. However, there is not much that can be done about the environment or the results now. You must move forward.

dishes, BSN, RN · Mar 10, 2012

You are right I am not the CNO, I am an experienced Ontario nurse. My view is that nurses work in stressful, noisy distracting environments, with alarms ringing everyday and the CNO expects nurses to think clearly and provide safe patient care in spite of the distractions in their environment. I am still baffled by your plan to complain to the CNO but I wish you luck.

MattJoey · Mar 10, 2012

You are right I am not the CNO, I am an experienced Ontario nurse. My view is that nurses work in stressful, noisy distracting environments, with alarms ringing everyday and the CNO expects nurses to think clearly and provide safe patient care in spite of the distractions in their environment. I am still baffled by your plan to complain to the CNO but I wish you luck.

Work and taking exams are two different things. Work can be done in a noisy environment while the exam is not. Stressful, noisy distracting environment, alarms ringing are part of the nursing work in the hospital therefore they usually happen in the hospital environment. Alarms ringing everyday in the hospital is not a distraction in the environment but a preparation of what is going to be done (Code Blue, Code Red, IV pumps etc.).

Silverdragon102, BSN · Mar 10, 2012

One thing to complain about the test center but waiting 5-6 weeks to complain after the event because you received a fail doesn't sound right.

MattJoey · Mar 10, 2012

You were wrong, we complain that after the exam righ away!

petethecanuck · Mar 10, 2012

I have to agree with Silverdragon102 and Dishes.

While I'm really sorry the fire alarm went off during your exam for what 10 min?..., waiting 6 weeks to complain seems baffling to me. Why didn't you contact the CNO on February 2nd to complain? What outcome do you expect the CNO to provide you?

If you fail do you want a re-write? If you fail will you blame it on the 10 min fire alarm?

Sorry folks and I don't mean to come off sounding harsh, but if the fire alarm was so detrimental to your concentration, perhaps you should have taken the initiative to excuse yourself, go to the washroom, splash some cold water on your face, collect yourself and then return to the exam refreshed and better able to concentrate.

Just my 2 cents.

Good luck to those still awaiting their results!

aromaeps1 · Mar 10, 2012

can't wait for Monday, so we can finally get our results here in BC...

BC results are out since yesterday!

Congrats to all those who made it.

Praying for those who didn't make at it this time.

May you be blessed on your next exam.

Never lose hope. God is so good all the time.

MattJoey · Mar 10, 2012

Time is precious in the exam, if all have taken that initiative probably we will run out of time Before the exam start ladies were already using the men's washroom. Maybe it will work for you but not the most of us.

campbe11 · Mar 10, 2012

I'm so nervous! It seems Alberta results must have been sent out, but I haven't received mine yet. I'm in the U.S. though so maybe it will take a couple more days than expected. Congratulations to all who have already passed, and good luck to those who will be writing again.

prttytoby · Mar 11, 2012

Work and taking exams are two different things. Work can be done in a noisy environment while the exam is not. Stressful, noisy distracting environment, alarms ringing are part of the nursing work in the hospital therefore they usually happen in the hospital environment. Alarms ringing everyday in the hospital is not a distraction in the environment but a preparation of what is going to be done (Code Blue, Code Red, IV pumps etc.).

I totally agree. For national nursing exam. Every second counts. It is really sad for those who did not pass the exam due to the exam hall fire alarm went off. I think CNO should at least give those candidates their exam money back. And if they do fail on their third chance, they should have chance to appeal for the forth chance next time. I think that is only fair to those candidates who were affected. Wish your guys are strong and be assertive for your right.

Kilmihil · Mar 11, 2012

Hi Lols Ireland, Ontario was posted out on the 6th, you will probably get your next Tuesday or Wednesday, it usually takes about a week to get to Ireland . I'm from Ireland and am living in the Toronto area.

ngup · Mar 11, 2012

hey all,

Every individual is different when it comes to giving their exam. So, you guys can't say that "why" we are affected by the fire alarm when you guys are not. Everyone is different when writing the exam. We have trained to give an exam in a silent environment with no distraction (fire alarm). It is our life and we had studied hard to pass our exam. I gave all my heart into studies and it is not easy to hear people saying that "what we want out of complaining" to CNO. We want CNO to take seriously with our exam environment.

Fire Alarm may not caused anxiety to all, but some people do so, you can't compare with others. We have "only three opportunities" to write the CRNE so, we have taken our exam seriously and we should have the right to take our exam in a free of distraction environment. ANd CNO should be taken seriously about our environment because this CRNE is not just an exam for us, it is our LIFE since we (I) have put all our (my) time into studies and we have the right to voice our complain.