Has anyone failed the PMHN (RN) exam?

Published

Specializes in Psychiatric, Corrections, Chronic Hemodialysis.

Hi fellow RNs,

I am taking the PMHN (RN-BC) Exam in two days. I have studied like crazy for two months. I’ve taken a few practice exams, one in the PMHN Secrets Study Guide, two others from Mometrix, random chapter review tests from psych nursing textbooks, one from the ANCC Review manual, and another from the ANCC website. I did really well in some exams, and others I didn’t do so well. I feel like the results could go either way at this point with this exam. I see a lot of success stories here, but is there anyone who hasn’t passed the PMHN exam? I’d like to know your experience...

For those who have passed the exam, what kind of scores were you getting on the practice tests?

Thank you for all your help in advance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, Corrections, Chronic Hemodialysis.

I passed the exam, so I guess it doesn’t really matter now, lol. But, if it helps, I used the PMHN Exam Secrets Study Guide, and took both Mometrix practice exams. I also looked through the ANCC PMHN Review and Resource Manual— that would be a good thing to skim over because they have a small practice test that asks about things that weren’t in the other study guides (like, I thought Maslow’s highest level was self-actualization— but they added self-transcendence recently— even though Maslow’s been for about 40 or so years ??‍♀️) and they cover some recent medications and nursing theories in there. There’s another site called psychiatricnursingexam.com that has a free 30-question practice test, but you can purchase access to their other test content for a certain number of days or months— I used the 2-day pass for the last stretch before the exam. That site was helpful because they have individual exams/quizzes for any subject you’ve struggled with (I took a whole test on just pharmacology and Erickson). I kind of wish I had used that site earlier, it would have really built my confidence going into the exam.

Anyway, I hope any of you who are taking this exam in the future find this post helpful. Good luck to you all and all your endeavors! ❤️

5
Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PMHNP- student.

Thank you for making this post. I’ve been searching for extra study material and haven’t found much info. My coworkers all have said I don’t need to study much, but personally I have to study. Lol, anyway I will look into that website

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PMHNP.

Do you know of anyone who failed the exam and had to retake it? I just failed the exam by a few points and am working on the areas it suggests. I'd like to know if the next exam is going to be the same or completely different.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych.

Thanks for the post, man! I have another year to take it.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psych, Med/Surg, LTC.

 I am interested in this exam.  where do you get your ceu's to be eligible to test?

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Quick question, im studying for an exam in a few months for Ancc PMHN and im stuck in meds. I wanted to know if they give both the generic and brand names for the med questions. Thank you!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Psychiatric, Corrections, Chronic Hemodialysis.

Hi @MrsChanRN

I believe they used both from what I recall.  I remember struggling between generic and brand name meds myself, and seeing both on the test.  If it puts your mind at ease, if you have a lot of psych experience, especially in the acute setting, it should be a fairly straightforward exam, especially with medications.  I'd brush up on theories, Maslow's, and peds psych though.  Everything else should fall into place from your psych experience.

Best of luck to you! ❤️

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion