Failed CRNA Boards... Help!!

loveanesthesia · Dec 27, 2010

Focusing entirely on Valley materials may be a problem. Spend time on the major text books, Miller, Stoelting's Pharm & Phys, Co-existing Dz. Go back to what you were studying with in your program, there's nothing magic about Valley and it doesn't seem to work for you. Spend a few days to regroup, make sure you don't get your anxiety going at this point. Then decide what you need to do and how long that should take you, and schedule. Good-luck.

skipaway · Dec 27, 2010

Loveanesthesia has the best response to the OP and I totally agree with using alternate sources of study along with the Valley review.

Class2011 · Dec 28, 2010

I would not be in a hurry to chuck Valley; it has been tried and true for far too many people, but that includes heavy emphasis on the Memory Master and Mixed Reviews. Especially if you are on the cusp, don't try starting from scratch or start doubting everything you know. Instead, you know how to study, try to identify and fortify weak areas, keep reviewing everything, including the basics. Great Success.

loveanesthesia · Dec 30, 2010

Five to ten years ago, it seemed all you had to do was study Valley and you were good. Now that does not appear to be true, board questions are written from the textbooks so that's the best place to go. Valley has some incorrect information, such as I've been told that Valley states that nitrous oxide is a trigger for MH. Nitrous oxide is not a trigger, and no current text states it is. What amazes me is that some students will take Valley for gospel, and instead of deciding that Valley is in error, will then think they should answer on boards that nitrous is a trigger. Just one example, Valley can be a good tool, but the texts are the authority.

srnamom · Dec 30, 2010

You need to study for more than 2.5 weeks--there's only so much that you can truly retain from each day's studying. And you absolutely need to get through all of Valley.

bread angel · Dec 31, 2010

Study the textbooks and read some review articles for current information. Try to concentrate on the areas you consider to be the most challenging. Most new graduates I know, spend months reading and studying, so you may be cutting yourself short on time. Good luck.

trav2CRNA · Jan 8, 2011

There is a 90% pass rate for the CRNA boards.

Im thinking it's you.

loveanesthesia · Jan 8, 2011

There is a 90% pass rate for the CRNA boards.
Im thinking it's you.

There is no longer a 90% pass rate, the first 6 months of 2010 is was 84%. It has been down for the past couple of years. I personally know CRNAs who have failed boards who are excellent and who have gone on to have successful careers.

sweetdreamzzz · Jan 9, 2011

N2bater...I am so sorry!! I can't imagine how you are feeling. I took boards today as well, but lucky for me I had a better end result. I would contact Valley first, I am sure they can give you some helpful information. It seems that everyone in my class has been passing with approximately 100 questions and we all seem to have prepped for boards in a similar manner.

I would recommend spending the majority of your time in memory master. It covers all the topics in sweat book more thoroughly. I went through the sweat book with memory master once using the study guide Valley provided. I then went through the sweat book one more time front to back looking at every question, plus looked at the mixed reviews. Did I know every question, NO. If I didn't understand a concept, I used my text books. Personally, I chose to use Morgan & Mikhail just because it was an easier read and shorter. Valley does contain all the information you need to pass boards. I would also recommend you talk to your classmates who have passed. They can tell you how they prepared base on your specific program.

I am sure you will pass as soon as you retake it. The format is very different than in the past years and one thing I remember them distinctly saying at Valley is you have to fight for every question, esp with all the new drag and drop and multi-multi. Hang in there, keep your head....you can do it!! You are not the first person in this situation and definitely won't be the last.

One of my friends said it best, "how that test knows you can safely administer anesthesia is beyond me!!" Good Luck :)

BCRNA · Jan 27, 2011

The material in valley should be done over a minimum of three or four months. And you should constantly review material that you already went over. It can be done just reviewing valley material, there is so much in the text books that will never be asked in the test. Whereas valley is stuff that has appeared in tests before. IMO the textbooks are the authority, but it isn't a nice condensed "just the facts necessary" review. Everything you need to know is in valley.

PVHCRNA · Apr 25, 2011

This is a little late to rely..but I'm replying for all of those who are going to read this because they failed their boards.

First, stop and take a deep breath. Know its no what you did..but more what and how you studied.

Valley is a great tool for understanding concepts. However, there are some stuff that it doesn't cover in enough detail. I like to tell people to do valley sweat book initially, then focus on memory master once or twice. Make sure as you are doing the questions in memory master you are able to answer some of them.

Also, prodigy anesthesia is a great resource. They have computer based tests that are great for practicing. Don't do the tests a bunch of times and think you are ready for the boards though. Make sure you go through ALL of their material in the library section. Between valley and prodigy... you will PASS!