PMHN- Psychiatric Nursing Certification Exam

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So, I'd like to start by saying that I'm only starting this thread to hopefully help others that are interested in taking the ANCC PMHN exam (NOT the NP exam). I took the exam today and I'm proud to say I passed but I think I would have been less anxious if there was more information out there about how to prepare and what to expect.

I've been a psych nurse for going on 4 years now and my primary employer offers a pay increase for certification, among other things so I was very interested. Check with your hospital or facility to see if they are involved in the Success Pays campaign as this allows you to pay less for the exam and retake it for free if necessary.

I prepared for the exam for about a month prior to my exam date. I used the book recommended by the ANCC (PMHN Exam Secrets Study Guide) which was very helpful. The book has a practice test in the back (125 questions) which were worded very similarly to the exam questions. I also used exam edge for more practice tests because I wasn't too confident. The exam edge questions were helpful only for content but they were a bit too easy when compared to the actual exam.

The exam itself is 175 questions (25 don't count) and all questions are NCLEX style. The questions are critical thinking questions but the process of elimination method really helped. I'd say the majority of the questions focused on developmental theories, medication side effects (Lithium, depakote, etc.), and prioritization. There's also a lot of questions geared toward the older adult and adolescents.

After everything I can simply say, because I was so anxious, I prepared more than I think I needed to. Experience was very helpful as long as I was able to differentiate between what is common practice and what is the correct way to do things (like the NCLEX).

If you have any questions please ask. If you have anything to add, please do.

Lets help each other!

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Specializes in psych.

I'm going to review class for the exam offered by my department in a few months. i won't be able to take the test until late summer, but I want to start getting my ducks in a row so I'm ready to take it when I'm eligible.

Thank you for starting this post and posting what you used to study. I've been doing a few NCLEX style questions a day to kind of get me back in that mindset before I really start studying.

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I took this about a year or so ago and was so anxious I think I was more anxious than taking the Nclex itself. I took a course paid for by my employer and they also paid for the exam. I was so scared to look at my test results and waited until I left. I was sure I had failed. However I didn't :) I passed and prepared much the same way as I did for the Nclex, thankfully because it was very similar. I found practice questions were the best for me and continued to study the books and take as many practice tests as I could kind of like ATI testing.

Good Luck!!!

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Hi,

I have done my MSN in Psychiatry from India and currently I am working as an RN in California.

How can I transfer my Psychiatry degree from India.

Do I need to submit the application trough BRN?? please help

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