How long did you study for the RNC exam?

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Oct 3, 2010

We had classes offered by our Education committee. We still do :) We do a chapter a week. My advice would be to get a book besides the core curriculum...it is great for the basics, but you need something a bit more. There is a thread here somewhere about it.

iluvnicu · Oct 3, 2010

I studied independently with the core curriculum book and the review/question book that goes with it. I did all the questions but just used the book as a reference, and took the test after 3 months, but I didn't pass. I should have really read through the book and really studied. I'll be taking a 3 day review course in November in Dallas to better prepare myself, and continue with studying. The exam was much more detailed than I assumed it would be. The questions were much more difficult!! Study Study Study!!! You have plenty of time :) Good Luck!!

NicuRN73 · Oct 4, 2010

I studied for approx 2 months with the core curriculum book. Still asked questions using rule of sixes for inotrope drips.. I just took it in Jan of this year.

NicuRN73 · Oct 4, 2010

Sorry, my dog pushed enter before I was finished. I passed. I am one that I would start studying then stop. So I paid and registered for the test and started studying. I will not lie, it was a little difficult. Some of the questions, I do not remember seeing in the core curriculum book. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Kathy

rncarolyn · Oct 4, 2010

What were you tested on the most, meds?, pathohysiology? Also what was on the test that wasn't on the core curriculum? Thanks again! I'm getting really nervous now

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Oct 4, 2010

Each year the test is different so it is hard to say what will be on it. It is pretty indepth though. I was a proctor last year for our group and I snuck a look at a test book...it was pretty hard.

Merstein and Gardner is a great reference to use.

NeoNurseTX, RN · Oct 10, 2010

I went to a conference and it helped so much more than any of the books (Verklan and the book of questions) as the questions were really specific things that weren't emphasized in the books. There were also a lot of gasses and vent changes you should make w/ the gasses. I studied more about 2 weeks about the test (from the notes that I got from the conference) and passed the test with a "very strong" in all three areas they measure. I did the conference in Feb 10 and took the test in June 10, but I had a parent die right after the conference and then I got really sick so I didn't do a lot of studying in between.

Mags4711, RN · Oct 10, 2010

My hospital just paid for us to take the NICU review course that Dr. Verklan gives. It was quite thorough and good.

Seriously, vent changes??? That's not even in my scope of practice! How can they ask what vent changes should be made?

NeoNurseTX, RN · Oct 11, 2010

My hospital just paid for us to take the NICU review course that Dr. Verklan gives. It was quite thorough and good.
Seriously, vent changes??? That's not even in my scope of practice! How can they ask what vent changes should be made?

The whole, "What would you anticipate the MD to order" from nursing school...same thing. It wasn't that bad though. I work with Verklan...

BittyBabyGrower, MSN, RN · Oct 13, 2010

Oh I remember those vent things...if your patient is on this, and you want to change to this mode, what would the pressures be? How much per kg? This is your gas, what changes should be made to normalize the gas? Ugh. I wanted another answer that said, E: Respiratory Therapy does that lol I know the basics, but they wanted numbers! Mine was a lot of fluid and electrolyte...this is your BMP, what changes to the fluid should be made, how much X-electrolyte should they be getting per day. Lots of numbers.