Early Registration Rate

Sign up by April 1. 2010 to get the early registration rate of $300 for the upcoming PRIMED CRNE review courses. After April 1 the registration fee will be going up to $350, so don't wait any longer. You can register online at www.primededucation.ca. Payment can be made online through PayPal, email money transfer or by cheque.

The April 10-11 session at Langara College is looking to be the smaller of the two Vancouver courses so if you're wanting a quieter learning atmosphere with possibly more one-on-one attention this is the course for you.

Please contact Laura and Marlene at info@primededucation.ca or 604 839 7520 with any questions. Hope to see you soon!

Early Registration Rate Ending!

If you've been putting off registering for the upcoming PRIMED CRNE review course don't wait any longer!
The early registration rate of $300 will be ending April 1. After that the registration rate will go up to $350.

Also, keep in mind that everyone who signs up will be entered in a contest to win a free registration to a PRIMED course. The winner will be drawn May 8, 2010 and a reimbured by cheque or cash.

Participant Feedback

Marlene and Laura, the co-founders of PRIMED Ed. Assoc., have recently received dozens of emails from their students that took the CRNE review course in January. The news that is coming in is excellent......PASS on their Canadian Registered Nurse Exam, which means they now have all the credentials to practice as a registered nurse!

PRIMED would like to share with you the feedback they received regarding the review workshop:

I just got my PASS result today! The word Thank You is not enough for me to say. You were both great teachers. The workshop helped me prepare and become confident. A lot of different topics were covered on the exam. It was useful to practice answering different questions from the various nursing areas. I am definitely be recommending to my friends about this workshop!!

I received my letter yesterday showing I had PASSED the CRNE. I wanted to thank you both for allowing me to attend your workshop. The workshop was most helpful in the way I was able to answer multiple choice questions, specifically how to eliminate and analyze the stem of the question. Once again thank you for your all help. The workshop was run just perfectly.

Hey, I PASSED I am so relieved! I think the CRNE prep session was really helpful. Practicing answering the questions over and over again was so useful, especially since I was unsuccessful on the exam once.

Good morning to both of you, I would like to say thank you because at last I made it, I passed the exam, of course with your help. I hope you continue helping people to become nurses in Canada. Thanks again and have a nice day!

YAHOOOOO!!!!!!! IT'S TIME TO CELEBRATE!!! I PASSED, I MADE IT!!!!!

 THANK YOU VERY MUCH INDEED FOR ALL YOUR HELP, AND ALL THE KNOWLEDGE YOU SHARED.....

                                                                                      

Hi, I took the CRNE course with you guys in January 2010 and just want to let you know that I received a PASS on my exam!!!!  I'm so happy and would like to thank both of you for your help,  information and knowledge that I gained by attending this 2 day course.  It was really helpful and I would advise lots of students to attend this course.

Hi I just wanted to let you guys know that I passed my board exam! Yet again, thank you for all of your help!

Do you need some help with the CRNE: Let's review a sample question

From time to time we at PRIMED Ed Assoc. like to review a CRNE style question by analyzing the question and options. Let's take a look at the question below.

1. Cassie Paetzhold, 17 years old visits the community health nurse as she has questions regarding Human Papilloma Virus (HPV). Which of the following is true about HPV?

a. HPV is only spread by sexual intercourse
b. HPV, like many other sexually transmitted infections is curable
c. HPV can be transmitted by skin-to-skin contact
d. HPV is only carried by women

Answer: C
Rationale: HPV is a sexually transmitted infection that is transmitted most commonly by skin to skin contact. This includes any contact with any area of skin that is infected by the virus.This means that utilizing barrier methods like condoms is not fully protective as the virus may be on an area not covered by the condom.

a. This option is incorrect as HPV is also spread by skin-to-skin contact
b. HPV is a virus that cannot be medically cured
d. HPV is a virus that can be carried by both men and women

How did you do? Do you need to review information on HPV and other sexually transmitted infections? If so,
go to your medical-surgical nursing books or use reputable websites such as links for the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada (SOGC).

Be sure to check in to the blog regularly for CRNE exam tips and more CRNE style sample questions.

Canadian Registerd Nurse Exam Background

So, some of you may be wondering after four years and obtaining a university degree, why on earth you have to write the Canadian Registered Nurses Exam (CRNE). After all, you've clearly written and been successful on many tests over the years.

According to the CNA (2010) each Canadian provincial and territorial regulatory authority i.e. College of Registered Nurses of BC (CRNBC) has the responsibility to ensure all nurses meet the competency criteria for safe practice. This also ensures that there is a common standard for entry level practice in Canada. The tool the regulatory authorities have chosen to utilize to determine these competencies is the CRNE.


The CRNE has been existence since 1970 and since that time has undergone many transformations. Many years ago the exam was a few days long, but for last several years the exam has consisted of two parts with approximately 200 questions each, one exam administered in the morning separated by lunch and a second exam. Now, the Canadian Nurse Association (CNA) has moved to only one exam consisting of approximately 200 questions, not including the experimental questions that appear on every CRNE. The CNA (2010) claims that "with 148 competencies to measure and a sound sampling approach for these competencies, an exam of between 180-200 questions is sufficient to make both reliable and valid decisions about a candidate's readiness to practice nursing safely, ethically and effectively" (p. 9).


Now, we here at PRIMED Ed. Assoc. think that there are positive and negative aspects to moving to a shorter exam. First, let’s discuss the benefits. A shorter exam, will probably lead to less exam fatigue. Take it from Laura and Marlene, having to go in after a lunch break to write the second half of the CRNE exam was not fun. We were exhausted and mentally drained. This is all we can really think of as being beneficial, except perhaps some may perceive a shorter exam as less anxiety provoking. However, most view a shorter exam as more anxiety provoking as what it really means is you have a smaller margin for error. For example, let’s say an exam consists of 400 questions, and you need to get 70% on the exam to pass (The CNA adjusts the pass rate for every test, but frequently it hovers around 70%), this means you technically get a score of 420 and pass. In other words you can get 120 questions wrong and still pass. Now, take and exam that’s only 200 questions total. In order to pass this, you need to get a score of 140, or only 60 questions wrong to be able to pass. So really, by making the exam shorter you have less of an opportunity to do well. If you had a longer exam or two sessions and a less than stellar morning performance, you could have a break refocus and attempt to do better on the second part of the exam.

This June 2010 will be the first time the CRNE will consists of an exam this short and concise in format. Now doubt, the CNA will be scrutinizing the results and feedback they receive about the new exam format. Owing to the fact, the exam has been changed many times recently; we suspect this is not the end of revisions to the CRNE. Only time will tell, what the future holds in the world of licensing international and Canadian nursing graduates.

How to study for the CRNE

We get asked many questions on how to study for the Canadian nurses exam.  Many nurses feel as though it is an exam that you "can't" study for, or an exam that is nearly impossible to prepare for.

This is a MYTH! It is possible and necessary to study for the Canadian Nursing Examination.
Here is our recommendations as well as one potential study plan to help you prepare for your upcoming examination.

Study timeline: 3 months minimum.
Many students need more than 3 months.  You might also need more time if you are:
-an internationally educated nurse
-a nurse returning to practice
-a nurse who has English as a second language
-or you want to ensure you are as prepared as possible.

3 Months until the Exam


1.  Purchase Canadian RN exam prep guide:
http://www.cna-nurses.ca/CNA/nursing/rnexam/preptools/default_e.aspx
This is the book that is written by the Canadian Nurses Association (that's who develops the exam)

-Review this book in detail.

-Do the practice questions, paying careful attention to the questions you get wrong:
Look for themes, i.e. Did you get struggle with the pediatric or maternity questions.

-Take out a "fundamentals of nursing" book from the library or from your personal library.  Do some reading reviewing the fundamental concepts of nursing

-Have a look at the CNA core nursing competency

-Start taking notes of what is the "current climate" is in Canada.  For example, if there was a recent flu pandemic, do some review on this subject.  Look up the Public Health Agency of Canada.  You can try to anticipate the types of questions you might see on the exam.

-Look into other study tools, such as the iphone application for the CRNE.  (Not yet available, but coming soon!).

-Look into the Mosby's review guide.  This guide is a bit more complicated then the CNA guide.  But it does have some good clinical skills review.  Don't be too discouraged if you struggle with this guide.

-Check into the PRIMED blog regularly for tips and tricks.

2 Months until the Exam

2. Take a PRIMED Education course to review
-This course will go over core concepts and information that you need to know for the exam, as well as CRNE style practice questions.
-We recommend taking our course at least 1 month before the exam.  Then you will have a strong foundation to review your areas of conceptual weaknesses.

During your second month you should try to spend as much time as possible going through questions.

After the PRIMED course, sign up for PRIMEDs 200 question online quiz.  This quiz will simulate the Canadian RN exam.
-Try to do the quiz all in one sitting.

-Print off and review the questions you got wrong.

-Retake the exam just before 1 month is up.

1 Month Until the Exam:

-Arrange with work to take at least 2-3 weeks off leading up to the exam.
This is integral to exam success.  You need to be able to concentrate on the exam components and practice questions.
-The key to success is to practice!


If you have any study tips for the exam, email us!

info@primededucation.ca

The June 2010 CRNE

As of June 2010, the CRNE wil be based on revised competencies. With this the layout and format of the exam will change somewhat.

"Canadian nurses and regulatory bodies have identified148 competencies to be measured during the 2010-15 examination cycle. These competencies have been organized into a framework that reflects a primary health-care model. They are grouped under the categories of: Professional Practice (28 competencies); Nurse-Client Partnership (14 competencies); Health and Wellness (27 competencies); and Changes in Health (79competencies)" (CRNE Bulletin, No. 13, June 2009).

The exam will consist of 180-200 multiple choice questions, plus about 20 experimental questions. These questions will be independent and case based. These competencies are

1. Professional Practice 14-24%
2. Nurse Client Parternship 19%
3. Nursing Practgice: Heatlh & Wellness 21-31%
4. Changes in Heatlh 40-50%

The CNA offers the CRNE three times per year. The remaining dates this year are:

June 2, 2010
October 6, 2010

The exam administration dates for 2011 are:
February 2, 2011

June 1, 2011

October 5, 2011

For more information about the exam visit the Canadian Nurses Association website.