CRNE Exam Prep Courses
Course Description
This intensive two-day Canadian RN exam (CRNE) preparation course prepares participants to be successful in writing the CRNE. It is open to anyone writing the CRNE, including new graduates, internationally educated nurses and individuals rewriting the exam. Participants will benefit from intensive practice in exam writing including two short practice exams as well a 4 hour “mock” CRNE on the second day of the course. The course is taught by highly experienced undergraduate nursing faculty with expertise in successful exam writing preparation strategies as well as nursing knowledge. The course includes a review of the CRNE structure; approaches to learning medications, laboratory results and diagnostic tests in the context of the CRNE; effective study strategies; and successful approaches to multiple choice questions exams. Participants will benefit from the interactive exam review sessions which will assist them identifying their specific areas of nursing knowledge where they may need further study. Participants will be able to grade their exams during the course. Objectives At the end of the course students will have:
- Developed successful strategies for answering multiple choice questions and increased confidence in writing a high stakes examination.
- Understand the content areas where further study is required prior to writing the CRNE exam.
- Learned how to develop a successful study plan in preparation for the CRNE.
Dates and Locations
There will not be any more prep courses before the June 2013 exam. All of our spring 2013 courses are finished.
Toronto – September 7 & 8, 2013
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Toronto SeptemberEdmonton – September, 2013
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Edmonton SeptemberCourse Schedule
Toronto: Sept 2013 Schedule
Sample Program Schedule: Below is a sample schedule that is typical for our courses, but the exact times vary by city. You may also download a PDF of our sample schedule. The Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing reserves the right to make changes in the schedule.
Day One, 09:00 – 16:30
08:15 Sign-in. Pre-registration is required. 09:00 – 09:15 Welcome/Structure of the Day 09:15 – 10:45 Vital information about the CRNE exam and strategies for answering CRNE multiple choice questions. 10:45 – 11:00 Break 11:00 – 11:30 Practice Exam #1 11:30 – 12:00 Review of Practice Exam #1: Marking, giving answers, some discussion around rationale if time permits. 12:00 – 12:45 Lunch 12:45 – 13:45 Answering CRNE questions about medications, lab results and diagnostic testsIntegrative lecture with clickers. 13:45 – 14:00 Break 14:00 – 14:30 Practice Exam #2 14:30 – 15:30 Discussion of Practice Exam #2: Discuss correct answer and rationale for each question. 15:30 – 15:45 Break 15:45 – 16:30 Study Strategies – developing a study plan and effective study strategies. Day Two, 9:00 – 16:15
9:00 – 13:00 200-question, mock CRNE exam: Four hours will be given to write the exam. After you have completed the exam you may leave for a break, but you need to be back at 13:30h to mark and review the exam. 13:00 – 13:30 Lunch Break: Please bring your own lunch as there will not be time to go off site. 13:30 – 16:00 Review of mock exam answers, with brief rationale provided, focusing on questions, which gave participants the most difficulty. 16:00 – 16:15 Summary and Evaluation Fee and Registration Details
Terms for all courses
- Advanced registration is required. You must register at least one week before the course start date.
- No on-site registration at the event.
- Applicable taxes will be added to all fees (Courses in Ontario: 13% HST / Courses in Alberta: 5% GST).
- This is an integrated, two-day course; one-day registrations are not available.
- There are a limited number of spaces.
- Refunds (less $50 + HST administration fee) are available if requested at least two weeks before the course start date.
Toronto – September 7 & 8, 2013
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Toronto SeptemberEarly Bird Price $295 + HST (ends August 16, 2013) Regular Price $350 + HST (starting August 17, 2013) You must register by August 29, 2013 Refund Deadline August 23, 2013 Detailed Course Schedule Toronto September 2013 Schedule Location Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto 155 College Street Toronto, ON M5T 1P8 (map) Payment Methods
You have two payment options when you are registering for this course:
1. Credit Card: You can register and pay online with a credit card.
2. Certified Cheque or Money Order: You can register and pay by mail.
- Type your information onto the online form and then print the page (do not click “Confirmation and Payment”).
- Obtain a certified cheque or money order payable to “University of Toronto” for the registration fee plus applicable taxes as noted in the chart below. No personal cheques. No debit cards.
TORONTO: Fees including HST (13%) EDMONTON: Fees including GST (5%) Early Bird Price: $333.35 Early Bird Price: $309.75 Regular Price: $395.50 Regular Price: $367.50 Mail the paper registration form with payment by certified cheque or money order to:
Centre for Professional Development
Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing
University of Toronto
155 College Street, Suite 130
Toronto, ON M5T 1P8When we receive your registration form we will email a confirmation notice.
Study Resources
Before you attend this course start your study preparation with a prep guide and a review guide together with your course notes and textbooks. See our two-page guide Selecting Resources to Prepare for the CRNE (PDF). Do lots of practice questions and try to identify where you are having difficulty so that you can ask more specific questions. It is helpful to bring a log of what content you have covered and how much time you have spent studying and the materials that you have been using to study.
Selecting Resources to Prepare for the CRNE (PDF) - updated April 19, 2013
Frequently Asked Questions
Fees and Registration | Logistics | Course Content and Format
Fees and Registration
- How much does it cost? Is it cheaper for U of T students?
- Is there a final date by which we must register for the course?
- How can I get a copy of my receipt?
- What is your refund policy?
- I don’t want to register online or I don’t have a credit card. How can I register?
- I am not a U of T student. Can I participate in this course?
- I will not finish my degree until next year. Should I take this course now?
- I am internationally educated in nursing. Can I take this course?
- How often is the course offered?
- I can’t come for the entire weekend. Can I register for only one day?
Logistics
Course Content and Format
- What should I do to prepare for this course?
- How will the course be structured?
- Will the course review the material I studied in nursing school?
- Are there any particular CRNE prep books that could help prepare me for this particular course and the exam?
- Are the questions on the mock exam similar to the actual exam or will it be a simplified version of the real exam?
- Will we be allowed to take home the questions from the mock exam?
- What does the faculty-led discussion portion of the course entail, exactly?
- I took your prep course before writing my exam. I thought the course was brilliant. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in my first attempt at the CRNE. I have registered to write the exam a second time. Should I take the CRNE Exam Prep Course again?
Fees and Registration
1. How much does it cost? Is it cheaper for U of T students? The cost is $295 before the earlybird deadline. Check the event page for specific dates for the course you are interested in. The regular price is $350. Everyone is welcome. Everyone pays the same price. All course materials are included in the fee.
2. Is there a final date by which we must register for the course? Advanced registration is required. You must register by the deadline specified on the event’s page. Save $55 by registering before the earlybird deadline.
3. How can I get a copy of my receipt? When you registered for the course you should have received an automated confirmation email from account.management@linkhealthpro.com, which included a receipt. If you cannot find your email receipt, you can print a copy of the receipt by logging into our portal with your email address at https://www.linkhealthpro.com/UofTNursing . There is a “Forgot your password?” link if you need help. To access your order after logging in click on the “E-Store/My Orders” menu item found on the left-hand menu.
4. What is your refund policy? If requested at least two weeks before the course, we will issue a refund less a $50 administration fee.
5. I don’t want to register online or I don’t have a credit card. How can I register? Type your information onto the online registration page and then print the page (i.e., don’t click “Confirmation and Payment” or pay online by credit card). Obtain a certified cheque or money order payable to “University of Toronto” for the appropriate fee plus GST/HST. (We cannot accept personal cheques, cash or debit cards. Credit cards are only accepted for online registration.) Mail (or drop off) the paper registration form with payment (no personal cheques, no cash, no credit cards, no debit cards) to:
Centre for Professional Development Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing University of Toronto Suite 130 155 College Street Toronto, ON Canada M5T 1P8
Once we receive your form we will send email confirmation of your registration.
6. I am not a U of T student. Can I participate in this course? Yes. Everyone is welcome.
7. I will not finish my degree until next year. Should I take this course now? This course is recommended for students in the final year of their nursing program. Third year students in 4 year programs may also find the course useful to focus their studies during their final year.
8. I am internationally educated in nursing. Can I take this course? Yes, anyone who is planning to write the CNRE exam will find this course useful as a way to effectively prepare for the exam.
9. How often is the course offered? In Toronto the course will be offered three times (January, April and September) in 2013. In Edmonton, the course will be offered twice (April and September) in 2013. In Thunder Bay, the course was offered once (April 2013).
10. I can’t come for the entire weekend. Can I register for only one day? No. This is an integrated, two-day course. Single day registrations are not available.
Logistics
1. What should I bring? Bring an HB pencil and an i-Clicker, if you have one. I-clickers will also be provided for use during the course. Bring your lunch both days. To make the most of your time we will only take a short break for lunch on Saturday and an even shorter break on Sunday.
2. What is an i-Clicker and why do I need one? An i-Clicker is an “audience response system” — a portable, handheld device that allows each student to vote by clicking on the appropriate button for his/her choice. In simple terms, an audience response system applies the technology used on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? to a learning environment. Students can instantly answer questions posed by the instructor. This helps the instructor to tailor the course to focus on areas where students are having difficulties.
3. Is coffee or lunch provided? We provide coffee and muffins on the Saturday morning break. We do not provide lunch. Bring your lunch both days. To make the most of your time we will only take a short break for lunch on Day 1 and an even shorter break on Day 2.
Course Content and Format
1. What should I do to prepare for this course? Before you attend this course start your study preparation with a prep guide and a review guide together with your course notes and textbooks. See our page How to Select a Preparation Guide and a Review Guide (PDF). Do lots of practice questions and try to identify where you are having difficulty so that you can ask more specific questions. It is helpful to bring a log of what content you have covered and how much time you have spent studying and the materials that you have been using to study.
2. How will the course be structured? For a general overview see the Sample Course Schedule (PDF). Start times vary be location. For detailed information make sure you are looking at the schedule for your city.
3. Will the course review the material I studied in nursing school? No. This two-day course will address the structure and format of the CRNE exam. The course will NOT provide a comprehensive review of key content covered during your nursing program. You will practice exam writing with feedback about approaches to multiple choice questions across the major content areas and be able to identify areas needing further study prior to the CRNE. To receive the maximum benefit you should review your notes, textbooks and possibly a review guide prior to the start of this course.
4. Are there any particular CRNE prep books that could help prepare me for this particular course and the exam? See our page How to Select a Preparation Guide and a Review Guide (PDF).
5. Are the questions on the mock exam similar to the actual exam or will it be a simplified version of the real exam? The mock exam matches the real exam in duration and number of questions (four hours, 200 questions). The questions in our mock CRNE are reflective of the blueprint that the CNA provides regarding the CRNE. We use only the blueprint and questions from our nursing program to construct our questions. However, as experienced educators we can give you guidance as to how to break down questions, as it is often not so much the length of the question that confuses students but the complexity and wording of the question itself.
6. Will we be allowed to take home the questions from the mock exam? No, you will not get to take a copy home. However, we will spend 2 1/2 hours discussing the exam questions and you will be given an answer sheet that outlines the subject matter of each question, competency category from the CRNE. In addition, we will provide (via email and our website) a special Excel spreadsheet that will assist you in analyzing your results. After you enter your answers from the exam, the spreadsheet will tell you which types of questions you are getting wrong, which areas you need to work on, and which of the four competency categories you are strong/weak in. This will help you narrow in on your studying during the weeks prior to the exam.
7. What does the faculty-led discussion portion of the course entail, exactly? For the faculty-led discussion you will be split into smaller groups to review one of the two practice exams that you will write on Saturday. Within the groups you will review the question structure, answers, and go over rationale extensively. Faculty will also help to explain key concepts and give you tips to approaching the question. The purpose of the workshop is to have you become accustomed to the CRNE questions and focus on a more comprehensive way to study for the exam.
8. I took your prep course before writing my exam. I thought the course was brilliant. Unfortunately, I was unsuccessful in my first attempt at the CRNE. I have registered to write the exam a second time. Should I take the CRNE Exam Prep Course again? If you have been unsuccessful on the first write of the CRNE chances are that you need further preparation and content review outside of a preparation course. Many repeat writers make the mistake of trying to find more preparation courses, rather than focusing on reviewing content from their nursing program textbooks. Using the feedback given to you from the CNA CRNE results sheet and from the mock exam provided through this course you should be able to pinpoint these areas for review. It is important that you change your studying strategies between the first and second exam. Repeating our CRNE Exam Prep Course may not help you unless you have significantly spent time re-studying your nursing program content.