Presented by: Nellie Bellot, MSN, RN, CRRN

• Voluntary process based on meeting eligibility requirements within profession

• Administered by (RNCB) Rehabilitation Nursing Certification Board, autonomous component of ARN

• Promotes commitment to excellence

• Professional credibility

• Recognition of expertise

• Heightened sense of personal

achievement

• Recruiting/Business

Development impact

• Impact as job candidate

• Current, unrestricted RN license

within five years preceding exam:

• Two years practice as RN in rehabilitation nursing

OR

• One year practice as RN in rehabilitation nursing and one year advanced study (beyond baccalaureate) in nursing

• Castle Worldwide Inc. works with RNCB to develop, administer and score CRRN Exam

• Two test windows annually:

June 1-30 & Dec 1-31

• Apply by Apr 15 & Oct 15 for June & December testing

• Notice to schedule exam sent to

“your e-mail address” with link from

scheduling website +username + password

• Very specific requirements for cancelling or rescheduling (refer to website)

• Fees: ARN members = $285.00

• Non-ARN Members= $425.00

• Late applications accepted 15 days after deadline (Apr 16-May 1 or Oct 16-Nov 1) = add $35 fee

(Please review CRRN handbook)

**Fees are subject to change and current fees are posted at www.rehabnurse.org**

Testing appointments are unavailable on the following holidays:

Christmas Eve (December 24)

Christmas Day (December 25)

New Year’s Eve (December 31)

• 175 Multiple Choice questions on computer (25 Pre-test questions & 150 test questions)

• 3 hours to complete (approx 1 minute per ?)

• Test results available immediately

• Scaled score of 500 needed to pass

• Report of sub-score areas if fail to score 500

• Can test at next test window if unsuccessful

• Create study plan

• Time management

• Stress management

• Content Area Assessment

• Group versus Individual preparation

• Incorporate appropriate learning strategies

• Time yourself and do sample test questions

• Resources- “ARN Core Curriculum”

• Rehab Models & Theories (6%)

• Functional Health Patterns: Theories, physiology, assessment, standards of care and interventions in individuals with injury, chronic illness, and disability (58%)

• Function of the Rehab Team and Community Re-Entry (13%)

• Legislative, economic, ethical and legal issues (23%)

• Detailed content outline available at:

www.rehabnurse.org

Plan chapters/topics to cover by date

Create checklist

Revise as needed

• Ensure study group members share common values

• Divide content areas; have one person present to group

• All members study one content area and create mock test questions

• Electronic recording device

• Reading

• Note cards

• DVD’s

• Sample Test questions

• Others?

• Optimal amount of anxiety enhances performance

• Too much anxiety, decreases performance

• Not enough anxiety, creates apathy

Don’t believe the rumors you hear about the test

Three keys:

• Preparation

• Organization

• Practice

• Mental blank-out

• Racing thoughts

• Difficulty concentrating

• Negative thoughts about past performance, consequences of failure, watching how everyone else is doing

• Knowing the answers after test but not during it

• Nausea

• Cramps

• Faintness

• Sweating

• Dry mouth

• Increased breathing rate

• Tachycardia

• Reduced Vision

• Learn about the test

• Make a comprehensive study plan and stick to it

• Stop negative thinking

• Stop perfectionist thinking

• Practice test questions!!!!

• Get a good night’s sleep• Eat appropriately before the test• Dress in layers• Know test location and parking• Stretch• Stretch during the exam (hourly)• Time manage yourself during the exam• Deep breathing• Use positive affirmations

• Budget your time

• Read each question carefully

• Read all options before answering

• Do not read into questions

• Choose answers that would be correct in any rehab setting, not specific to yours

• Carefully answer questions with negatives (not, except, least)

• Carefully answer questions with best, usually

• Not written to be tricky; all info to answer question is given

• Answer questions that you know and come easy first

• “Flag” the difficult questions and go back to them

• Guess if you are not sure (25% chance)• Answer every test question• Eliminate wrong options

• Remain calm

• Answer question in own mind then check answers

• Use critical thinking about complex ?’s

• Arrive 15+ min early; no late admits + lose $

• Ensure have confirm notice + photo ID with signature

1. Association of Rehab Nurses (2015) The Specialty Practice of Rehab Nursing: A Core Curriculum (7th ed) Glenview, IL

2. CRRN Examination Candidate Handbook, 2017

Success is never a destination – it’s a journey.

Satenig St. Marie

Please let us know when you pass the exam!