Psychiatric RN Certification Tips

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · May 30, 2017

I took the exam, but it was a number of years ago. I used no study materials at all, and I managed to pass. Some of the questions seemed more appropriate for Ph. D. level psychologists than nurses.

Good luck on the exam.

debiklages, MSN, RN · Jun 2, 2017

I took a certification exam for specialising in psychiatric nursing and passed. This was in Canada and we had a study group that met on a regular basis. I read a text book that was recommended from cover to cover. The exam had so many questions and I struggled to answer all of them. I passed but I found out that the nurses who failed didn't study. They believed that they would be able to pass based on their clinical knowledge. I thought that this was a bit arrogant of them.

Orca, ADN, ASN, RN · Jun 2, 2017

I don't see how it is arrogant to believe that you are prepared based upon your clinical knowledge. I was.

FreudianSlip · Jun 2, 2017

I recently took this exam and passed. I pretty much used everything-the review book, all the practice questions offered through ANCC, flashcards, and review content through PEARLS. I read the book once and then did more research in to sections that I needed more knowledge (based on the practice questions). The practice questions were extremely helpful in getting the "feel" for the exam. It is likely that I over prepared, as I didn't feel the test was too difficult but I'd rather over prepare and succeed than the alternative! I did this over a 3 month timeline, mostly on weekends, but sometimes during the week. Of course, practice experience plays a big part in your knowledge base, so I'd take that in to account.

Best of luck!

BigBrownPotato · Jun 5, 2017

Thanks for all the tips fellow nurses!

@Freudianslip: How's the PEARLS Psych certification review prep course? Is it worth the $69? Also what practice questions did you use? I am planning to get the ANCC online practice questions. Thank you!

FreudianSlip · Jun 5, 2017

The PEARLS course was free for me (part of our company's CE package), so the value was great. For $69, I'd say it is just so/so. I thought the psychopharm was good, but some of the other modules (there are 8 total) were pretty weak in content and test questions. I bought everything the ANCC had online for practice questions, including the text review course (you get CEs for it also). I really enjoyed the flash cards from Mometrix (bought mine on Amazon)-they are pretty text heavy, not traditional flash cards, but I could review them whenever. Like I said, over prepared likely, but I couldn't stand the thought of not passing!

SHEVUS48 · Oct 8, 2018

I'm planning to take the test soon also. After reading another message on this site, I think I'm going to take a different approach. They say the ANCC layout is pretty significant and purposeful. I'll start there. I hear the flash cards (mometrix) are a big help also. Good luck. I'm going to try and go in the next 2-3 months also.

B52, ADN, BSN, MSN, RN · Oct 9, 2018

I'm convinced I was overly prepared. I read the book twice, used flash cards, did Exam Edge questions and NCLEX psych questions. Many of questions were about suicide prevention, eating disorders, and Lithium. I was expecting a few questions about neurotransmitters, but I got none. Good Luck.

kingvonnBSN2017, BSN · Oct 11, 2018

I just bought the Mometrix flash cards, I am going to use that to study. I am seeing it is helping out a few of you.