The document provides a comprehensive guide on preparing for the CNOR® exam, emphasizing its importance for professional recognition and patient care in perioperative nursing. It outlines eligibility criteria, study strategies, available resources, and the benefits of achieving certification. Additionally, it describes features of AORN's online course designed to help candidates successfully pass the exam.

1. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Preparing for the
CNOR® Exam
• Ellice Mellinger MS, BSN, RN, CNOR
– AORN Perioperative Education Specialist
– emellinger@aorn.org
• Holly Heston MA
– AORN Instructional Designer
– hheston@aorn.org
Congratulations!
• You should be proud of yourself for listening to this
webinar!
• Give yourself a round of applause!
• You have taken a first step to be successful in your
journey to become CNOR® !
Oct. 26, 2012 1

2. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Let’s Discuss
• The Importance of the CNOR® designation
• Eligibility to sit for the CNOR® exam
• Steps and strategies for success
• AORN resources
• Questions from perioperative RNs
Nursing Certification
Certified nurses are:
• recognized worldwide
• contribute to better patient outcomes through
national board certification in their specialty
The RN license permit RNs to practice.
A nursing certification affirms advanced knowledge, skills, and
practices.
Did you know there is an annual National Certified Nurses’ Day?
http://www.certifiednursesday.org/
Oct. 26, 2012 2

3. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Is the CNOR® Credential
a Professional Certification?
YES!
Facts about the CNOR® examination
• It is nationally available and based on a periodic
job analysis.
• Recertification interval is defined.
• The exam tests a professional body of knowledge
(perioperative nursing).
• No specific classes are required to be eligible to sit
for the examination.
Program Accreditation
Is the CNOR® program accredited by
– the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA)
and/or
– the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS)?
YES!
The program is accredited by both
NCCA and ABNS
Oct. 26, 2012 3

4. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Why achieve CNOR® Certification?
• For your patients and their loved ones!
• Professional achievement in perioperative nursing
• Professional recognition
• Personal achievement
• Recognition of your advanced knowledge, nursing
skills, and nursing practices in the perioperative
setting
Who administers
the CNOR® Exam?
Competency and Credentialing Institute
www.cc-institute.org
• CCI administers the CNOR® exam
• CCI confirms your eligibility
• CCI confirms CNOR® status
Oct. 26, 2012 4

5. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Are You Eligible to sit for
the CNOR® Exam?
• Are you currently a licensed RN (with no
restrictions)?
• Are you working in perioperative nursing in clinical
practice, education, administration, or research?
• Have you been working for 2 years or 2400 hours in
perioperative nursing?
– 50% (1200 hours in the intraoperative setting)
*Please Check All Eligibility Criteria with CCI
Steps for Success
Oct. 26, 2012 5

6. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Make the
Decision
to become CNOR® !
Gather information
from CCI and
Apply for the Exam
Access Current
Perioperative Resources
and References
Study
Study Over Time
• Prepare and Plan to Study
• Does a one day/two day review
course really help you retain the
information?
Oct. 26, 2012 6

7. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Study Over Time:
Make a Plan
• How often?
• How many hours per week?
• Do you have a “Study Buddy” or two?
• Schedule your study time to fit your busy schedule
• Plan from 12-20 weeks to fully prepare yourself for
success
• Add your study time to your cell phone calendar,
wall calendar, tablet …post it on the refrigerator!
Access
Current Perioperative
References and Resources
• Current Year AORN Perioperative Standards and
Recommended Practices
– Available as a textbook, CD, or e-subscription
• Perioperative Nursing
– AORN Journal articles
– Live and previously recorded AORN Webinars
– Perioperative Textbooks/Online References
Oct. 26, 2012 7

8. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Current Resources
and References
• Current Evidence-Based Literature
• Regulatory
• Accreditation
• Continuing education
AORN
Evidence-Based
Educational Resources
AORN AORN Perioperative Standards AORN Independent Study Guide
and Recommended Practices based on the (current year)
Preparing for the CNOR® Exam
(current year) Perioperative Standards and
Online Course E-subscription/CD/Print Format Recommended Practices
AORN Videos
AORN Congress
AORN Webinars Specialty Modules
AORN eCongress
CBL Program Modules
www.aorn.org
Oct. 26, 2012 8

9. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
AORN
Preparing for the
CNOR® Exam
Online Course
Provided by
Your
organization!
AORN
30 Contact Money Back
Hours Guarantee!
AORN
Preparing for
the CNOR®
Exam
Online Course
4 month Study and
access to all of learn at your
the materials own pace
Oct. 26, 2012 9

10. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Provided by
Your
organization!
AORN
30 Money $$
Back
Contact Hours Guarantee!
AORN
Preparing for
the CNOR®
Exam
Online Course
4 month Study and
access to all of learn at your
the materials own pace
Provided by
Your
organization!
AORN
30 Contact Money Back
Hours Guarantee!
AORN
Preparing for
the CNOR®
Exam
Online Course
4 month Study and
access to all of learn at your
the materials own pace
Oct. 26, 2012 10

11. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Provided by
Your
organization!
AORN
30 Contact Money Back
Hours Guarantee!
AORN
Preparing for
the CNOR®
Exam
Online Course
4 month access Study and learn
to all course at your own
materials pace
Provided by
Your
organization!
AORN
30 Contact Money Back
Hours Guarantee!
AORN
Preparing for
the CNOR®
Exam
Online Course
4 month Study and
access to all of learn at your
the materials own pace
Oct. 26, 2012 11

12. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Program Features
AORN
Preparing for the CNOR® Exam
• Prepares you to sit for and pass the CNOR® Exam
• Helps strengthen your Perioperative Nursing
Knowledge
• Defines key components of the Nursing Process
related to Perioperative Nursing
• Promotes critical thinking concepts related to
perioperative nursing
Program Features
AORN
Preparing for the CNOR® Exam
• Provides questions/answers
– knowledge-based
– scenario-based
– evidence-based
• Self-paced, online program
• Easy to go back and forth through each
module
Oct. 26, 2012 12

13. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Program Features
AORN
Preparing for the CNOR® Exam
• Gives you opportunity to review materials
several times
• Helps identify your areas of strength and
weakness
• Provides and applies successful test taking
strategies.
• Pre-test, questions in the modules, practice
exam.
Program Features
AORN
Preparing for the CNOR® Exam
• Computer specs for the course
– We recommend that a PC be used for this course.
• Additional monthly questions
– posted on AORN’s ORNurselink
– learners currently enrolled in the course
Oct. 26, 2012 13

14. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
AORN Preparing for the CNOR® Exam
Sample Question 1
When performing the preoperative skin preparation on an
abdominal case, the perioperative RN should start at the:
a. Nipples and proceed towards the pubis.
b. Site of incision working in concentric circles and moving
towards the periphery.
c. Incision site and proceed upward to nipples.
d. Umbilicus and proceed in circles around it.
Sample Question 1
Answer
When performing the preoperative skin preparation on an
abdominal case, the perioperative RN should start at the:
a. Nipples and proceed towards the pubis.
b. Site of incision working in concentric circles and
moving towards the periphery.
c. Incision site and proceed upward to nipples.
d. Umbilicus and proceed in circles around it.
Oct. 26, 2012 14

15. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
Sample Question 2
The purpose of safe patient positioning is to ensure:
a. Prevention of nerve damage and avoidance of
circulatory, respiratory, or integumentary compromise.
b. Adequate respiratory excursion, absence of skin
breakdown and convenient access to the surgical site.
c. Optimal circulatory and respiratory function and
prevention of nerve injury.
d. Maintenance of circulatory function, avoidance of nerve
and integumentary system injury and access to the
surgical site.
Sample Question 2
Answer
The purpose of safe patient positioning is to ensure:
a. Prevention of nerve damage and avoidance of
circulatory, respiratory, or integumentary compromise.
b. Adequate respiratory excursion, absence of skin
breakdown and convenient access to the surgical site.
c. Optimal circulatory and respiratory function and
prevention of nerve injury.
d. Maintenance of circulatory function, avoidance of nerve
and integumentary system injury and access to the
surgical site.
Oct. 26, 2012 15

16. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
ORNurselink
• “Prep for CNOR” group
• Questions posted monthly
• Encourage Critical Thinking
• Interact with other perioperative RNs
• Questions provided to all participants currently in the
program
• Focus on current issues in the perioperative literature
ORNurselink Questions
September 2012
• List three ways to protect your surgical patient from an inadvertent injury
from a laser beam during an operative/invasive procedure.
• Explain why a pair of prescription glasses will not protect a staff member or
a patient from an inadvertent eye injury during a laser procedure.
• What nursing actions can decrease a surgical patient’s exposure to latex
during an operative/invasive procedure?
• Describe the procedure for terminally cleaning an operating room.
• In the context of using “must” or “should” in a recommended practice,
describe the difference in terminology.
Oct. 26, 2012 16

17. Preparing for the CNOR Exam
AORN Independent Study Guide based on
the current
Perioperative Standards and
Recommended Practices
• The study guide is updated every year.
– Questions are based on the current AORN standards and
recommended Practices.
– 250 questions format
– Contact hours for successful completion
– Feedback is provided for incorrect answers
– Textbook format for 2012 and 2013
Set Yourself up to be Successful!
AORN
Preparing for the CNOR® Exam
Online Course
www.aorn.org
Oct. 26, 2012 17