Psychiatric Nursing Certification

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Has anyone taken the psychiatric nursing certification exam? I am going to take it in August. I am studying the ANCC book and have practiced those questions. I also am taking an on-line learning module from ANCC. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the material. I'm also looking for a place to find additional practice questions. Does anyone have any ideas?

I Just passed my Certification examination and used the following resources:

1. Caring for Patients with Mental Health Issues: Strategies for All Nurses from westernschools.com which also earned me the 30 ceu's required by ANCC, and is available at Western Schools > ProductDetail

2. Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Review Manual available at the following ANCC website: Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing Review Manual - 5th Edition

3. 2000 Practice Test Questions where I Used Promo Code: SAVE-NISLO to get a 10%

discount at http://www.anccprep.com/PsychMentalHealth/order_tests.cfm

4. 200 Practice Test Questions available at the ANCC website: Certification Practice Questions–Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

Good Luck All, lots of critical thinking required!

Bernard M RN-BC

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I'm a A.A.S. RN and have thought about getting the certification but should complete my BSN first. Is the certification necessary?

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Specializes in Psych/Mental Health.

I bought a kindle book for $40 by Myra Richards called Psychiatric Nursing- PMHN Certification Review. It has over 1000 practice questions. The thing I liked best about it were the links after each question. It is formatted with a question, then the answer. After the answer were links to more information about the subject(s) of the question. I found being able to dig deeper into a disease process, nursing theorist, or cultural differences, etc. to be perfect for my learning style.

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Where did you practice? Was it at a clinic or hospital? I am moving to the Pittsburgh area as a psychiatric nurse, and would love to continue to learn and grow as a nurse in the adult sector. Any suggestions as to where I should look at, to apply??

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Discount code for #4, the practice test questions, still works!

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Anybody have any current promo codes for test resources? Thank you!

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.
I'm a A.A.S. RN and have thought about getting the certification but should complete my BSN first. Is the certification necessary?

I know this response is very late, but a BSN is NOT required. I got my certification as an ADN.

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Specializes in Psychiatric Mental Health.

I took the exam 2 years ago. I did loads of practice questions from different sources including NCLEX preps and I read rationales even if I got the questions right. I think that helped to solidify the information in my head and got me thinking like a test-writer.

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Specializes in Psychiatry.

I just ordered the ANCC book myself. For others who have taken the exam, was this book enough? I have also worked in psychiatry 13+ years.

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Specializes in Hospice, corrections, psychiatry, rehab, LTC.
I'm a A.A.S. RN and have thought about getting the certification but should complete my BSN first. Is the certification necessary?

The short answer is no. Most employers won't pay for the test or pay you extra for having ANCC certification, but it can be helpful in landing other jobs or promotions. I took the exam probably 15 years ago. Renewal hit at a time when I was having a lot of financial issues, so I didn't renew.

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I am going to be taking the ANCC exam for psychiatric mental health nursing certification, I see people talking about a book to study/ what book is the best?

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where do you find that info on the site? what is required to know.?

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