I realize when I had to write my nursing exam how much pressure I experienced about the whole thing. I wrote mine in June 2010 and passed in first attempt but still remember when I walked out the exam, I was not sure what would be the result.
The purpose of this thread is supporting those nursing students who are planning to write their CRNE in upcoming June. Students, please feel free to share your concerns and questions. Nurses please support those students with tips for study.
Just couple of reminders before we get started:
1. Please do not discuss specific questions or any content tested in CRNE.
2. Please read other threads for more information as well. Other threads give you valuable information and be smart and take them into your advantage.
An SEC Assessment is an evaluation that uses a variety of strategies to assess the IEN's professional knowledge, skills, attitude, values, and judgment. The different strategies (described below) draw out whether the IEN currently possesses the CARNA Entry to Practice competencies www.nurses.ab.ca to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the expected RN scope of practice in the Canadian health care system. The SEC Assessment will also identify where competency gaps or areas requiring growth exist.
An IEN may be referred by CARNA for an assessment in any (or all) of the following areas:
General Nursing
Maternal Newborn Health Nursing
Child Health Nursing
Mental Health Nursing
this is what i have to do only general medical/surgical along with Triple jump,clinical judgment and OSCE .
Tazj can you or any one help pointing out what are the most common diseases they look at in the written exam ?
SweetPrincess, I will send you a private message so that we can stick to the topic here.
Can anyone tell me where I can learn more about healthcare in Canada? I have read the Code of Ethics, Entry-level competencies, Canada Health Act, and Standards of Nursing Practice. I found that the CCA had a lot of questions that were not in any of these - things like determinants of health in Canada, changes in the population, what the major problems are today, etc. I didn't think too much of it when I was doing the CRNE prep questions, but I assume this is important if the provinces expect foreign (IEN) nurses to know these things. The CRNE prep guide & CCA also had a lot of questions on community health. Is there anywhere specific I can find this information?
When previously preparing for the CRNE I spent a lot of time studying theoretical knowledge. From what I have gathered from various threads I should have spent more time on practising the exam type questions ie: from the CNA guide. I understand I need to have a solid theoretical background as well as critical thinking skills to be a successful candidate on the CRNE. I'm wondering if I should I focus more on the test type questions ie from the CNA guide to gain a better understanding on how the questions are worded? I missed the exam by one mark. I don't want to be that unsafe practising nurse, and am seeking to help myself become successful on the CRNE. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
One thing I thought really helped me while preparing for exam was when I was reviewing the questions I always asked myself why this is the best answer and what would be the best answer if I didn't have this option. Remember that majority of the questions ask you for "what is your best response" "what's the main concern" and etc so you will pretty much always get two right answers for a question but ONLY one is the best response.
When doing the questions I divided them the questions the I knew, those that I guessed and those that I had no idea what was the answer. I dot beside those that I guessed and a star for those that I had no idea. So that pretty much helped me to find the area that I needed to improve as well saved me a lot of time when decided to do the questions for a second round when I got closer to exam. You don't need to go through those you know the answers already, right?
And finally I think what more than anything helped me was allocating 4 hours two times a week in one setting for doing questions. I did that at least 7 times and I'm glad I did because it really helped me with my time management.
I am going to be writing the CRNE in Toronto on June 1st, 2011. I have a few basic questions that I'm hoping some of you will have the answers to. I feel a bit silly for not already knowing these things...
1. How long do we have to complete the exam?
2. It is my understanding that the format is strictly multiple choice, is this correct?
3. What is a typical passing grade? (I know it varies by exam)
You have 4 hours to complete your exam which is strictly multiple choices somewhere between 200 to 210 questions. Last year we had 212 in June's exam.
You usually need somewhere about 120/180 questions to pass the exam. As you get closer to exam, you'll get instruction for what you can take but earplugs are usually allowded and I personally used them. Setting arrangments I think depends on the centers. We wrote ours in a school gym. Just make sure you wear comfortable and warm clothing. I remember some people came with sandals and shock until the end of the exam. You won't have time for that!
I will implement your tips into my studying. Currently, I'm studying from the Mosby's prep guide and am reviewing the more common ailments. Then the rest at a later date. I also plan to look over my notes. Each chapter has its own set of study questions, which I have been practising. Which review questions did you study from? I have the Mosby's, Lippincot, CNA guide, and a I bought one test off the CNA website. I'm so scared for this exam.
It's very normal to be anxious about the exam and that's not a necessary bad thing since makes you motivated to study harder. Trust yourself and your knowledge you have and just keep working on the area you think you need to.
I pretty much studied through resources you have as well as did the online readiness for test with CNA. Just don't get caught in too much of details in Mosby's. Also be prepared for longer questions and case studies as I found the questions were asked in CRNE were more wordy and took longer to read and digest. But that might be only me.
sweet princess
9 Posts
Hi Cazza64 :
sec is Substantially Equivalent Competency
An SEC Assessment is an evaluation that uses a variety of strategies to assess the IEN's professional knowledge, skills, attitude, values, and judgment. The different strategies (described below) draw out whether the IEN currently possesses the CARNA Entry to Practice competencies www.nurses.ab.ca to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the expected RN scope of practice in the Canadian health care system. The SEC Assessment will also identify where competency gaps or areas requiring growth exist.
An IEN may be referred by CARNA for an assessment in any (or all) of the following areas:
this is what i have to do only general medical/surgical along with Triple jump,clinical judgment and OSCE .
Tazj can you or any one help pointing out what are the most common diseases they look at in the written exam ?
thank you :)
princess