Failed my CRNE...

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Hello everyone,

I just received a sad letter in the mail saying I failed the June 2013 CRNE. I took the primed course that was offered in Alberta in May and I learned a lot from the prep course. I had reviewed material prior to taking that prep course as well.

I also have the CNA 5th edition book, lipincott's, referred to my med/surg book as well as I did readiness questions in order to prepare for this exam.

I was wondering if anyone has ever failed the first time and successfully passed the second time around? What are some suggestions that had helped you guys became successful? I know that for myself test-taking makes me become really anxious as a I know that I am a weak test-taker.

I feel really depressed right now as I spent one and a half months preparing for this and spent a lot of money on prep materials.. I just feel like jumping off a cliff right now. :cry:

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Don't be too hard on yourself. Many people fail the exam the first time and eventually have successful nursing careers.

Given that you have test anxiety, four to six months of preparation covering all the competencies, reviewing texts, best practise guidelines and doing practise tests would lead to greater success next time. One plus months isn't suffient study prep for many CRNE test takers. It depends on the knowledge you've previously acquired.

Take a deep breath and take a break for now. In a month, start studying again. Write the February exam if you need to.

Good luck!

Joanna

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Don't give up! My friend failed once and he is now an ICU nurse and has worked really hard to get where he is. Ask yourself honestly what did you do, and what can you do next time that will improve your chances. I haven't taken the test myself, Im bridging right now; I can't imagine what you are going through, but you can't look at how many times you have left, just keep your head up, work on the test anxiety; study, and go into the exam saying "I'VE GOT THIS".

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Don't be discouraged! A number of students fail the exam every year and most of them are successful the next time. I suggest you call and talk to someone about your exam results. They won't go over the exam questions but can give you and idea of the areas you'd struggled with. You also now have a really good idea of how questions are asked. I personally found that almost every question could be answered using the mosbys comprehensive guide.

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Hi Daisy. I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling right now. For what it's worth, it's not the end of the world. A peer of mine wrote the exam early this year, found out she failed, and rewrote the exam once again in June. This time she passed! I know of a coworker who failed the CRNE twice but fortunately passed on his final try. MCQ exams aren't his forte. For anyone with this issue, he suggests plenty of practice, practice and more practice. Judging by what you've said, you KNOW the material. You've probably gone over it multiple times. I think the CRNE has a certain "style" when it comes to how they want you to answer the questions. Maybe this is just my observation, but when I was taking the CNA practice tests and going through practice questions from the CNA books, even if I wasn't familiar with the question, I could almost gage which answers could be right. Try to pick up on this style. Side note: while Mosby's, Lipincotts etc. provide sample questions, you should focus on practicing with CNA questions as they will most likely reflect the style of questions on the CRNE.

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Judging by what you've said, you KNOW the material. You've probably gone over it multiple times. I think the CRNE has a certain "style" when it comes to how they want you to answer the questions. Maybe this is just my observation, but when I was taking the CNA practice tests and going through practice questions from the CNA books, even if I wasn't familiar with the question, I could almost gage which answers could be right. Try to pick up on this style. Side note: while Mosby's, Lipincotts etc. provide sample questions, you should focus on practicing with CNA questions as they will most likely reflect the style of questions on the CRNE.

I completely agree! Good advice.

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Hi Daisy. I also didn't pass the June 2013 exam, so trust me, I know how you feel!! The important thing is not to give up!! I was wondering if you could give me your email address so that we could form a study group.

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I've failed my first attempt but passed my second attempt. I too was depressed and discouraged when I first failed because I had found out that some of the dumbest members of my class had passed. Remember it is just a stupid standardized test that does not reflect your intelligence or your nursing skills. My only advise is to study your Nursing Fundamentals text book, Nursing interventions, Pharmacology and the CNA test book( which is key for October's exam). What I also did to help me prepare was solving case scenarios (i.e., what would a new grad do if a patient presented with RR 35, BP 90/46 and HR 110). I also took the primed course, i thought they were helpful. Remember what the instructors stated which was that every question is directed towards a new graduate, so anything advance like initiating IVs or changing the O2 level to high flow is an automatic no for new grads. Use the prime book as an outline and use your textbooks as supplements. Stay away from Mosby's and the other study guide, they suck and most of the topics they mentioned are overly simplified. Trust me, I failed the first time because of the Mosby study guide, so stay away. Invest in the readiness test. I thought the readiness test was accurate. Just tell yourself that you will pass the next time.

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Remember what the instructors stated which was that every question is directed towards a new graduate, so anything advance like initiating IVs or changing the O2 level to high flow is an automatic no for new grads.

What are you talking about??!?!?! You can initiate IVs (if warranted) and change O2 flow rates. Those are nursing interventions... In some cases you may need to consult the Respiratory Therapist but if there's none, you aren't just going to stand there and let the patient de-sat. That has nothing to do with being a new grad. You need to remember that practice is always changing/evolving and sometimes it takes a few years for the books to catch up.

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What are you talking about??!?!?! You can initiate IVs (if warranted) and change O2 flow rates. Those are nursing interventions... In some cases you may need to consult the Respiratory Therapist but if there's none, you aren't just going to stand there and let the patient de-sat. That has nothing to do with being a new grad. You need to remember that practice is always changing/evolving and sometimes it takes a few years for the books to catch up.

I think she means keep it simple. Yes new grads can start IVs and change O2 rates but on the exam you need to almost always over simplify your thinking and keep it to basics. Generally the answer is check your ABC's and notify the doctor. Although usually you are doing 10 things at once in real life, the CNA usually wants the first technical thing you would do.

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Thanks sjamesrn for making it simple for nobu to understand.

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Thanks sjamesrn for making it simple for nobu to understand.

Don't speak for me, ninito. What an unnecessary comment.

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