Exam Preparation

Seems noone has written this exam recently (as in the past 10-15 years) Anyways thanks for looking at the thread(s)... So long......

I took the CNOR on 2004 and passed. I started studying with a friend about 6 months ago, using the AORN outline for the exam. We studied various books - Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery, Phippen and Wells, Patient Care During Operative and Invasive Procedures, the CNOR Exam Study Guide & Practice Resource and the AORN Standards. The Standards are a must have! I would not attempt to take the test without reading the Standards once or twice - as many of the exam questions are related - in some way - to the Standards.

The test was hard. About half way through I began to question my motives for being there. The test was 4 hours long and after 3 hours and 55 minutes, I completed the exam. The testing center would not allow food or drinks in the area. I had to sign out to go the the bathroom and get a drink of water. Everything I brought to the test center was placed in a locker (purse, keys).

As part of the exam, we sign a varification that we cannot discuss the exam questions. I couldn't if I tried as by the time I left the testing site, my brain was fried.

Things I would advise:

Know the Standards.

Put patient safety first.

Read the question twice to determine the focus of the question. I found that part of the question may not relate to the answer in many cases.

Know how to position the patient on the OR table.

Some answers were umbrella answers. (one answer that would include other answers)

Note the age of the patient in the question.

Know basic lab norms.

Know basic medications and their reactions.

Know nursing process - assessment ect.

Remember that the RN in the OR is responsible for almost everything, call the supervisor as a last resort.

Things I spent too much time on:

Detailed labs

EKG interpertations

Diagnostics that should be handled by a physician

Again, the test was hard. Take the e-practice test for an example of what you will be expecting on the test. However, do not expect the questions to be exact, because there were not.

Good luck and God Speed!

I

As part of the exam, we sign a varification that we cannot discuss the exam questions.

WTF?!!!!!!!! I took the exam in, I think, 1999. I don't remember being asked to sign such a thing, and, even if I had been, I would not have signed it. We--that is, everybody in the OR where I was currently working who took it--all discussed the exam with each other afterwards. We all found out we got different exams. We all were SURE we would fail, but, we all passed.

It was hard, I remember, for this reason: As an experienced nurse, you KNEW what you would do in any given situation--however, what YOU would have done was often not a choice of what whoever wrote the exam questions would have done.

I hope to be part of future committees that write CNOR exam questions so that I can help to ensure that the questions can be more reality based, instead of "in theory" based. "By the book" often does not concur with real world situations.

WTF?!!!!!!!! I took the exam in, I think, 1999. I don't remember being asked to sign such a thing, and, even if I had been, I would not have signed it. We--that is, everybody in the OR where I was currently working who took it--all discussed the exam with each other afterwards. We all found out we got different exams. We all were SURE we would fail, but, we all passed.

It was hard, I remember, for this reason: As an experienced nurse, you KNEW what you would do in any given situation--however, what YOU would have done was often not a choice of what whoever wrote the exam questions would have done.

I hope to be part of future committees that write CNOR exam questions so that I can help to ensure that the questions can be more reality based, instead of "in theory" based. "By the book" often does not concur with real world situations.

Thanks for the info Stevierae.... Once the exam is done will I get instant verification of pass/fail? Hoping my years of O.R. experience (6) will pay off. Additional information will be utilized. David.

I was reading your post and was curious where you found the AORN outline for CNOR exam. I have searched the whole site and know I am missing it but where?? Thanks.

I took the CNOR on 2004 and passed. I started studying with a friend about 6 months ago, using the AORN outline for the exam. We studied various books - Alexander's Care of the Patient in Surgery, Phippen and Wells, Patient Care During Operative and Invasive Procedures, the CNOR Exam Study Guide & Practice Resource and the AORN Standards. The Standards are a must have! I would not attempt to take the test without reading the Standards once or twice - as many of the exam questions are related - in some way - to the Standards.

The test was hard. About half way through I began to question my motives for being there. The test was 4 hours long and after 3 hours and 55 minutes, I completed the exam. The testing center would not allow food or drinks in the area. I had to sign out to go the the bathroom and get a drink of water. Everything I brought to the test center was placed in a locker (purse, keys).

As part of the exam, we sign a varification that we cannot discuss the exam questions. I couldn't if I tried as by the time I left the testing site, my brain was fried.

Things I would advise:

Know the Standards.

Put patient safety first.

Read the question twice to determine the focus of the question. I found that part of the question may not relate to the answer in many cases.

Know how to position the patient on the OR table.

Some answers were umbrella answers. (one answer that would include other answers)

Note the age of the patient in the question.

Know basic lab norms.

Know basic medications and their reactions.

Know nursing process - assessment ect.

Remember that the RN in the OR is responsible for almost everything, call the supervisor as a last resort.

Things I spent too much time on:

Detailed labs

EKG interpertations

Diagnostics that should be handled by a physician

Again, the test was hard. Take the e-practice test for an example of what you will be expecting on the test. However, do not expect the questions to be exact, because there were not.

Good luck and God Speed!

I was reading your post and was curious where you found the AORN outline for CNOR exam. I have searched the whole site and know I am missing it but where?? Thanks.

The study guideline is on the certification website. I posted the link for you. http://www.certboard.org/cnor/cert/study_group_curr.htm

I wondered if you have already taken the exam if you could help answer some of the same questions you had for me. How long does it take to find out if you have passed or failed? I am guessing they just let you know if you pass or fail no other scores, right?

I found the study guide but I don't really have time to do all that. I had planned to take an online course. But I find out it is only offered in January and April.

Please tell me anything you can that you think would help. I know cramming is not the best way, but I have taken a week off work right before the exam and have been reading over information for quite some time but since I don't know what to study I have been reading everything from Swan's to sterilization.

Help--please.

Bob

Thanks for the info Stevierae.... Once the exam is done will I get instant verification of pass/fail? Hoping my years of O.R. experience (6) will pay off. Additional information will be utilized. David.

Yes, you know as soon as the exam is done--it's computerized--the screen tells you whether you passed or failed.

Hello All,

I am looking for words of wisdom in preparing for the CNOR exam...If anyone has any suggestions..I would appreciate them..I have started to study, but I am over whelmed by the amount of material and the balancing of work /home life with studying...I have applied to study online...Was wondering if anyone had any old practice tests that I could use to prepare myself or if anyone had the old cd that came with the study guide...It is no longer available with the study guide...Thanks, Carla :)

Ditto to what Imjamie said, and brush up on positioning--when I took the exam there were several very specific questions on potential pressure points and so forth, i.e. lateral malleolus NOT ankle.

Know sterilization parameters, for prevac, gravity, EtO gas, Steris--what temperature for how long.

Know you standards and recommended practices.

If you brush up on the above you should do just fine on the exam.

I have a question...I've been thinking of taking the CNOR exam next year when I'm done with school. When that time comes, I know I won't be working at the same place where I got my training and subsequent first two yrs of experience. Once you've submitted your documents, how long are you given to write the exam?

Hello Shirley, My place of work signed me up early this year...I had the choice of testing July- Sept window or November window...The material is about 20 weeks worth..It is alot...I am currently taking advantage of the 2 week on-line course which starts the 2nd week in July...YOu can only test once in each window..I am hoping to get certified the first time because there is a fee for taking the test again...Thanks for the question though..Keep in touch...Carla:)

I have a question...I've been thinking of taking the CNOR exam next year when I'm done with school. When that time comes, I know I won't be working at the same place where I got my training and subsequent first two yrs of experience. Once you've submitted your documents, how long are you given to write the exam?