Haskins said going into the test feeling prepared can make a huge difference and she recommends the free 15-question sample test on. “In addition, nurses feel less pressure when they know that if for any reason they don’t pass the exam on the first try, the FailSafe program allows them to repeat the exam.” 4 – Feeling ill-preparedįor nurses who have been out of school a long time, the idea of a test may seem daunting. “Nurses who have taken a certification review course have been shown to do better on the exam than those who haven’t,” Haskins said. Haskins said the FailSafe program offers a great way to help boost confidence for nurses who may be nervous about taking an exam or are unfamiliar with computer-based testing. 3 – Overcoming test anxietyįor nurses who haven’t taken an exam in a while or who have test anxiety, Haskins recommends taking a practice test to prepare for the certification exam. “Both AMSN and the American Academy of Ambulatory Care Nursing offer grants for the CCCTM exam, as well,” Haskins said.

Each grant is awarded semi-annually and covers the full cost of application at the member rate. In addition, Haskins said the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses provides grants for Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse certification and recertification to AMSN members through its grant program. “We offer a FailSafe Certification Program, where a healthcare facility agrees that within a year’s time, 10 of its nurses will enroll to take either the MSNCB certification exams (CMSRN and the CCCTM for those nurses working in care coordination),” Haskins said.Īs a participant in the FailSafe program, hospitals get a discount on the AMSN review course. “It really validates everything you’ve learned as a nurse and demonstrates to your employer, patients and their families that you have the knowledge, skills and expertise to provide the best possible care.” 2 – Financing the process “I still remember how excited I was when I passed the exam,” Haskins said. Haskins said nurses who have worked in med-surg for at least two years and who study for certification usually do very well and feel an extreme sense of satisfaction after passing. We asked Haskins for tips on how to overcome common challenges that nurses may face when considering certification: 1 – Second-guessing your abilitiesĭoing a great job as a med-surg nurse is one thing, but some nurses may question their ability to pass a certification exam. MSNCB also offers a second credential: Certified in Care Coordination and Transition Management. You also avoid up front enrollment fees.Mimi Haskins, DNP, RN, CNS, CMSRN, immediate past president of the Medical-Surgical Nursing Certification Board and a corporate nurse educator at Catholic Health in Buffalo, N.Y., said becoming a Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse through the MSNCB indicates nurses have acquired additional skills, knowledge and expertise in the med-surg field. If your facility purchases test enrollment for you, MSNCB offers a price break on a second test if you don't pass.

My facility purchased access to the online version that we were able to do individually, and I was even given comp time to do it at home with my own computer and coffee pot. I basically ran across it by accident on MSNCB's web site. I had to decline due to scheduling issues, but that hospital had written a grant for their training and offered me, an unknown outsider, a free seat. MSNCB has some recommended preparation/study material here: Īs it turns out, I was also offered an opportunity to attend a two day group study that utilized a 14 hour web cast sponsored by MSNCB of one of their pre exam conferences.

I do study best by listening and watching and then doing. I was way to cocky the first time around although I did scour Med Surg related NCLEX study material to prepare. I took the CMSRN exam end of last year and passed it.

Msncb med surg certification