CRNE exam post-mortem

I just took the CRNE on Wednesday.

Let me tell you that the practice exams (both the LeaRN online exam and the Prep Guide) were way way way way easier than the actual exam!

To be honest, I was a bit shocked at the difference in difficulty between the prep and the exam.

Of course, I won't be posting what was actually on the exam. To be honest, I half don't remember due to the stress!

I do feel though that they did do their job in making sure a wide variety of competencies were covered.

Now the agonizing part is waiting for 6 weeks.

I'll keep you posted.

Preparing for the CRNE (LeaRN Readiness Test)

Sorry about the lack of posts on here. Life's been busy.

Parents are currently out and about in northern Europe, leaving me with the house and the dogs.

Anyway, just a quick update: I actually bothered to pay for the online practice exam offered by the CNA. About $40 and change.

You're given 100 questions and 3 hours to take the practice test. Once you're done, it gives you the results and all the answers to the 100 questions.

Something's wrong when you can finish the practice test in 28 minutes.

Anyway...

Shot down. Again.

Just got the news that the place where I'm volunteering is unwilling to risk liability insurance on me; hence, I shouldn't bother coming back.

Typical.

Oh well, time to try again...

Nurse Vancouver

Iane told me about this site; apparently it's the collaboration of four health care authorities in the Lower Mainland.

Not so good for me personally, but for those of you with some experience, it's worth a look.

Thanks, mom

When in doubt, you can turn to your friends and family.

I got to shadow my mom when she went on duty at a geriatric home.

First impression was that the work didn't seem that stressful. Morning shift consisted of medication administration, followed by assisting the licensed practical nurse and resident care aide with morning ADLs. After that, there isn't much to do.

Probably not a typical day, but it's pretty consistent with what I've heard with other private institutions.

I'll keep you posted.

No handmaidens please

Finally, someone has given me a good explanation why new internationally educated nurse graduates can't apply here right away.

The reasons, he said, are complicated, but he did share this:

Nurses in other countries (especially the Philippines) are still being taught to be the doctor's handmaidens. In other words, the nurse assesses, carries out doctor's orders, and most importantly does not question the doctor except to clarify orders. It's just not done that way.

Here, nurses wield more power - it's common for doctors to ask nurses what to do, and the nurse is empowered to not only question but even disagree with the doctor.

Before you disagree with me, hear me out: I know that in theory, all nurses can refuse to carry out orders. Yes we were taught that in school as well.

Therefore, I conclude that one big problem facing new IEN grads is assertiveness. I do understand the reasoning why employers want to hire more experienced nurses, since they are more assertive.

(I don't understand why new Canadian nursing grads would be readily hired, unless for some reason all Canadian nursing grads possess that assertiveness as well. Is it a cultural or educational difference?)

As always, comments welcome.

Fraser Health (initial contact)

Health Authority: Fraser Health

Areas Covered: Burnaby to White Rock [map]

Website:Fraser Health

Response: negative

Desired Requirements: 3+ years work experience in nursing

This wasn't an in-depth phone call. Basically, the person answering the phone stated that IENs who wish to apply needed 3 or more years of work experience in nursing in order to apply. Fraser Health does not currently have a program catered to IENs.

Will get more information as soon as possible.