SweetRNJ

I work 7a-7p on a Med/surg floor. ONE WORD to describe it: B U S Y!!!!! You do everything this shift, every one else probably said it already, but yah here's a list: -pass meds -assess patients -maybe work with nursing students -precept an orientee -admit a patient -discharge a patient -transfer a patient to SAR or different floor or NH -talk to visiting families -talk to families on the phone -prepare patient for surgery -work with PT, OT, ST, respiratory therapists -work with Social Workers and Care Managers -Talk to doctors on the floor (can be 10 of em at one time sometimes LOL), talk to doctors on the phone -help feed or assist patient with all 3 meals.. I might have left out other stuff, or plenty of stuff..but all of these dont really happen in one day, but it CAN...i think the reason i was able to list these down is coz every single on of these a few times... Don't get it wrong, the list can go on and on, but when you're actually on the floor its not so bad. There will be days when you'll be boredm days when you're running around like crazy and there's days when it's just "steady busy".

Oh okay...i think i studied for at least 1 month..and its probably not enough time..coz with work and all i get tired when I get home..and when I'm off i usually dont wanna do anything..but before going in the test i felt really confident taking it thats why i went ahead and just took it.. Maybe just tips on how to study for it..People keeps telling me to just keep doing some questions..but with the ANCC one maybe i should have really looked at the scopes of practice and the nurse practice act which i did not get the chance to do..

I was gonna PM you but it still won't let me coz I havent posted 15 stuff yet..hehehe.. so now i'm kinda torn with which one to take...I was so close in passing the ANCC but that doesnt really say anything on how I would do when I re-take it. So i'm really looking on to taking the CMSRN instead and actually buy the review books they have recommended on their website. I just wanna get this over with. And how long would you suggest to study for it?

Yes, That's the updated questions.

Yes you're right that's exactly how the ANCC was..it seems more specific to scope of practice, delegation..i felt like i got a lot of legal questions..It sucks coz I almost passed it ..i got a 347..n minimum was 350...that probably don't really mean anything on what my changes would be taking it next time..That's why i was thinking about taking the CMSRN coz I've studied Woodruff's stuff..and looked at the sample questions and none of them looked like the ANCC one. I don't really know why i applied and took the ANCC exam..when I was really studying CMSRN stuff..i guess for some people it would not make a difference but for me it did...if I study the wrong stuff, the wrong way..i'm not that successful...

The sample questions seem different from the website of the CMSRN and ANCC...and the CMSRN seems more med/surg like and questions that I actually reviewed for. A friend of mine said that the instructor at the review course she went to did say something like that about the CMSRN. I took a reviewed course a few months ago. On the ANCC website it says that they are changing the content.Medical Surgical Nurse - American Nurses Credentialing Center - ANCC

I work days.. on days we have 3-4 patients..which i think is a very good ratio.. our staffing is very good on our floor :) so i'm not complaining. PM shift if pretty much the same as day shift ratio... 4 is usually their max...unless we are really short staff or we have a call in Night shift on out floor has 6 patients max.

I did not pass the ANCC med/surg certification exam. And they are channging the exam content starting April 6. Is it a bad idea to maybe just take the CMSRN instead of the ANCC one? I don't know what to do.

They said there's really not that much of a difference between these two exams..I've been on the ANCC website to practice some questions and also on the CMSRN website for the sample questions as well..they seem different to me..the CMSRN seem more "med/surg" like...correct me if I'm wrong..but seriously what is the difference..??