CNOR Exam:Last Minute Tips for a

Painless Testing Experience

HOUSEKEEPING DETAILS

• Submit questions via the Chat feature found at the lower right hand corner of your screen.

• Questions will be answered during and after the webinar.

• If you need additional information or support, please call us tomorrow at 888-257-2667.

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YOUR HOSTS FOR TONIGHT’S WEBINAR

Jim Stobinski, PhD, RN, CNOR Director of Credentialing and Education

Julie Mower, MSN, RN, CNS, CNS-CP, CNORand

Dawn Whiteside, MSN, RN, CNOR, RNFA Nurse Managers, Credentialing and Education Development

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COURSE OBJECTIVES

1. Review major components of the CNOR exam2. Summarize successful test taking strategies 3. Develop a test-day action plan4. Discuss testing center experience

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CNOR EXAM CONTENT

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This information is subject to change.

• The Candidate Handbook is found at: http://www.cc-institute.org/cnor/prepare/handbook-plan• The estimated Subject Area breakdown on the CNOR exam is as follows:

Subject Area % of Questions1. Patient Assessment and Diagnosis 12%

2. Expected Outcomes/ Plan of Care 10%

3. Intraoperative Activities 27%

4. Communications 10%

5. Transfer of Care 6%

6. Cleaning, Disinfecting, Packaging, and Sterilization

9%

7. Emergency Situations 11%

8. Management of Personnel, Services, and Materials

6%

9. Professional Accountability 9%

FACTS ABOUT THE CNOR EXAM

• 200 multiple choice questions

• 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test

• Administered by Prometric Testing Services

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CHOOSING THE CORRECT ANSWER

• Eliminate distractors; identify why they are incorrect

• Answer is based on current best practice as published in the literature, not necessarily on facility practice

• Attempt to answer the question before reading the options

• Eliminate options that have absolutes, i.e. “always”, “only”, “never”

• Review your answers at the end

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COMMON ERRORS IN ANALYZING QUESTIONS, PART 1

• “Reading into” the stem

• Taking too much time on one question. A good rule of thumb: answer one question/minute

• Missing the quantifier (“most”, “most appropriate”, “primarily”, “first”, “initially”, “not”, “least”, “except”)

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COMMON ERRORS IN ANALYZING QUESTIONS, PART 2

• Changing the answers to multiple questions

• Looking for the same questions found on practice/sample questions

• Leaving questions blank

• “Overthinking" question. This test is based on what a perioperative nurse with 2 years of experience should know/be able to do

• Re-writing question to reflect current practice/experience

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PRE-TEST DAY PREPARATIONS

• Practice taking exams on a computer if this technology is unfamiliar to you• Annual competencies• Continuing education

• Know the directions to the testing center and how long it will take to get there

• Be sure that you bring a current, government issued ID, with your photo and signature

• Be sure that your name on the ATT letter matches exactly what is on your government issued ID

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OUR BEST TIPGo to Prometric.com and click on “Prepare for Test Day”

TEST DAY

• If possible, avoid activities that you know generate stress in the 24 hours prior to your exam

• Be rested• Avoid last-minute cramming• Eat a balanced, slow-digesting meal for breakfast or

lunch

From: Shellenbarger, Sue. Toughest Exam Question: What is the Best Way to Study? Wall Street Journal, 26 OCT 2011, p. D1, D2

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TEST DAY cont.

• Arrive at the testing center 30 minutes before your test appointment

• Be respectful of other test takers • Prometric tests a diversity of occupations

• Check in process is similar to airport screening

• Expect increased security measures • wands• fingertip scanners

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TESTING CENTER 101

• The following items are prohibited in the testing room:• Cell phones/iPads• Laptop computers• Wallet/purse• Books/papers• Personal headphones/ear plugs

• You may request• Headphones/ear plugs• Scratch paper

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MAKE SURE YOU:

• Answer all the questions• Mark those questions you want to review later • You will get your results at the end of the exam

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CELEBRATE!

• You have worked hard to get to this stage of your career.

• All the feedback you receive related to your exam can be utilized in providing better care for your patients.

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IMPORTANT RECERTIFICATION INFORMATION(information is subject to change)

CNOR Credential

Valid

Accrual Period for

Recertification Activities

Application Due

(Discounted Fee)

2016 – 2021 1/1/16 – 12/31/20

7/1/21

2017 – 2022 1/1/17 – 12/31/21

7/1/22

At the end of your 5-year cycle, you must apply for recertification by:

• Contact hours (125)

• Points (300)• Exam

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UPCOMING CCI CNOR WEBINARS: 2016

All webinars are held live at 1700 Mountain Time. Register on our website at http://www.cc-institute.org/more/webinarUpcoming webinars:

• Oct. 12, 2016: Essentials for certification• Nov. 9, 2016: An Insider’s View of the CNOR exam

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RECORDINGS

• Recorded sessions will be available via our YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8qq9R2GcQls7-KAytxqtJA (link at the top right hand side of our website) and on our website at http://bit.ly/CCIWebinars

• Slides will be available for download at http://www.slideshare.net/OR_Nurses

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Q & A

We’re happy to answer your questions! Type them in the chat window now.

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Please know that the CCI staff is here to help you achieve your goal of CNOR certification.

If you have questions, please contact us at 888-257-2667 or info@cc-institute.org

www.cc-institute.org