What to study for the RNC?

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I'm taking the RNC within the next month. What should I study? I've failed this test one time already and would dearly love to pass this time. Please help!

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Specializes in Neonatal ICU (Cardiothoracic).

I used the study guide for T Verklan's Core Curriculum for Neonatal Nursing book. I took it chapter by chapter and made sure I knew the answers and rationales to all the questions. I though the RNC exam was harder than the NCLEX... I also printed the study guide from the NCC website.

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Specializes in Level II & III NICU, Mother-Baby Unit.

I also used the Core Curriculum for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing and took it chapter by chapter as well. I also buried myself in Manual of Neonatal Care by Cloherty & Stark and found it helpful too. Gomella is the author of another book similar to the Cloherty & Stark book and comes highly recommended. I would grab the Core Curriculum first though because it is concise and in an outline-type format... all meat without too much frills. Also, when I wanted to understand something a bit deeper I looked at my Handbook of Neonatal Care by Merenstein & Gardner. There is also a book of questions and answers with rationales and references for reading if you need more information which is a companion book to the Core Curriculum book. It's called Certification and Core Review for Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing by Robin Watson. Saunders publishes the Core Curriculum by Verklan & Walden as well as the Review book by Watson. Mosby publishes the Merenstein & Gardner book and Lippincott publishes the book by Cloherty & Stark.

I would highly recommend you use the most recent editions. Watson's book is in it's 3rd Edition, Verklan & Walden's book is in its 3rd Edition too. I believe Merenstein & Gardner will put out their 7th Edition soon but the 6th edition is available now for sure. (Dr. Merenstein passed away earlier this year so it may be a little longer before the 7th edition is published.) If you are a member of the Academy of Neonatal Nurses (ANN) (Neonatal Network journal is a perk of being a member) some of these books can be purchased through their website for a discount. Otherwise, Amazon will have them all I am sure.

Good luck on your studying! Don't try to do too much too fast though... just like in nursing school this is a test you can't cram for. Eat it like you would an elephant...one bite at a time and you will do just fine!

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