The Certified Neuroscience Registered Nurse (CNRN®) exam is administered by the American board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN) to evaluate the knowledge and skills of those seeking certification in the neuroscience medical industry.
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Exam Eligibility
To be eligible for this exam, you must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the US or Canada, and you must have at least one year of full-time direct or indirect neuroscience nursing practice within the last three years.
CNRN Exam Outline
The CNRN exam contains 220 multiple-choice questions, 20 of which are unscored, and you will be given a time limit of 4 hours. The 20 unscored questions are used by the ABNN to evaluate questions for future versions of the exam.
The questions on the exam are grouped into three categories:
I. Anatomy, Physiology, Pathophysiology, and Diagnosis
This category contains 91 scored questions and is split into the following sections:
Trauma
- Traumatic brain injury
- Hematoma/hemorrhage
- Skull and spinal fracture
- Spinal cord injury
Cerebrovascular
- Ischemic stroke
- Hemorrhagic strokes
- Transient ischemic attack
- Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis
- Stroke mimics
- Vascular anomalies
- Anoxic injury
Neuro-oncology
- Brain tumors
- Spinal cord tumors
- Neuro-endocrine disorders
Infection and Immune Complications
- Brain and spinal abscesses
- Meningitis
- Encephalitis
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Bell’s palsy
- Neurodegenerative disorders
- Encephalopathies
Neurodevelopmental Conditions
- Cranial/cerebral defects
- Chiari malformation
- Hydrocephalus
- Congenital brain and spinal cord structural anomalies
Neurological Disorders
- Partial, generalized, status epilepticus, and non-epileptic seizures
- Headaches and migraines
- Hydrocephalus
- Pseudotumor cerebri/idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Dementia
- Movement disorders
- Degenerative spine disease
- Peripheral nerve injury and neuropathy
II. Patient Management
This category contains 76 scored questions and is split into the following sections:
Physiological Interventions
- Activity and self-care
- Bowel and bladder management
- Nutrition
- Metabolic management
- Pharmacological management
- Neurological assessment and management
- Surgical treatment and management
- Respiratory monitoring and airway management
- Thermoregulation
- Cardiovascular management
Behavioral Interventions
- Patient behavioral factors and management
- Psychosocial considerations
- Chemical dependency
- Pain
- Coping and self-care mechanisms
Safety Interventions
- Neurological status and decline
- Delirium
- Abuse recognition, protection, and support
- Environment safety management
- Neuro-specific infection prevention
- Physical and chemical restraint
III. Multidisciplinary Care
This category contains 33 scored questions and is split into the following sections:
Quality of Life
- Comfort promotion
- Support systems
- Culture and socioeconomic considerations
- Palliative care
- Rehabilitation and continuation of care
- Hospice/end of life
- Organ donation
Health Care Management
- Education, support, and resources for patients and caregivers
- Multidisciplinary collaboration, quality improvement, and outcome evaluation
- Scope of practice, professional competence, and delegation
- Ethics, evidence-based standards, and regulations
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Registration
To register for the exam, you must submit an online application at the ABNN website. Your application must include the applicable examination fee, whether you pay online or via check. The examination fee is $300 for AANN members and $400 for non-members, and paying by check incurs an additional $25 fee.
Once your application is approved, you will receive confirmation and instructions on how to schedule an examination appointment with PSI.
Test Day
Regardless of your exam-taking method, you will be asked on test day to present two current and valid forms of identification, one of which must contain your photograph. Both forms of identification must have your signature for verification.
In-person Testing
On test day, you should arrive 15-30 minutes early for your scheduled appointment time. If you are more than 15 minutes late, you will not be admitted, and your test will be canceled.
Before the exam begins, you must secure any personal items (including your phone, wallet, and keys) in a provided locker. A pencil and a sheet of paper are provided, so there is no need to bring those items with you to the testing center.
During the exam, you can take a break whenever you need to, but the timer will keep going during your break.
Live Remote Proctoring
On test day, you should log in to your account 10-15 minutes before your examination appointment. Once you are logged in, a proctor will ask you to scan your testing space with your webcam to ensure your testing area is clear of books, notes, and electronic devices. You are allowed a pencil and a blank sheet of paper on your desk; all other items need to be removed from the area.
The launch button for the exam is enabled when the exam and proctor are ready.
How the Exam is Scored
Your CNRN score is determined by using a scaled scoring system. This system converts your raw score (the number of questions you answered correctly) into a numerical scaled score. You must have a final scaled score of at least 200 to pass the exam.
If you pass the exam, you will receive your certificate packet by mail within 4 to 6 weeks after testing.
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FAQs
Q
How many questions are on the CNRN exam?
A
There are 220 multiple-choice questions on the exam.
Q
How long is the CNRN exam?
A
The time limit for the exam is 4 hours.
Q
What is the passing score for the CNRN exam?
A
To pass the exam, you must achieve a scaled score of at least 200.
Q
How much does the CNRN exam cost?
A
The examination fee is $300 for AANN members and $400 for non-members.
CNRN is a registered trademark of American Board of Neuroscience Nursing, which is not affiliated with Mometrix Test Preparation and does not endorse this page.
