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Study Tips

CONGRATULATIONS!

You have made the commitment to take the next step in your professional career - to seek CPAN or CAPA certification! You are an experienced perianesthesia nurse having spent hundreds of hours caring for perianesthesia patients and their families. Every day you meet the varied needs of these patients. Despite this experience, when it comes to taking a national certification examination, you are bound to experience anxiety. This brochure is designed to provide some strategies for reducing test-taking anxiety and to help you organize your study methods. Nearly 6,000 of your colleagues have taken this next step successfully. Best wishes as you follow in their footsteps!

RALLY SUPPORT

Identify a study buddy and/or form a study group. Study groups of three to six people have been shown to be the most effective. A clear benefit of forming a study group is the psychological support that members receive from each other throughout the study process. If no one from your unit is interested, contact perianesthesia nurses at other local institutions. Contact members of the ASPAN (American Society of Perianesthesia Nurses) component near you - the component may have plans to form a study group or they might know of people who would be interested. If a study group is not possible, you can always be a study “group” of one!

Once the study group is formed, begin by setting some ground rules regarding meeting times, study timelines and responsibilities of group members. Carefully read the Candidate Handbook and Application - noting all application postmark deadlines. If you have any questions about information in the Handbook, contact the ABPANC national office.

ORGANIZE STUDY OUTLINE AND TIMETABLE

This is the first step to beginning a study plan, whether studying alone or with others. Begin by carefully reading the ABPANC Candidate Handbook and Application. Using the examination blueprint published in the Candidate Handbook and Application, develop an outline of study topics, focusing on areas of weakness first. Identify a schedule for studying those topics and assign one individual to coordinate that study topic.

Determining a study schedule depends on whether you want to study each topic in depth, or take a "review" approach. A study schedule may take six to twelve weeks, depending on individual needs.

IDENTIFY STUDY RESOURCES

Once study topics are determined, identify references for each subject. Refer to the list of references noted in the Candidate Handbook and Application.

Pick those references you or the study group will find most helpful. Journal articles, published in the last 2-3 years, are very helpful. The study group can prepare a list of relevant articles, then divide the list among the members who can write or present a short synopsis of the articles to the group. Don’t forget to use a variety of resources, including:

  • CPAN/CAPA colleagues
  • Staff development educators
  • Clinical Nurse Specialists
  • Journals in related fields
  • Local conferences or review courses
  • ASPAN videos or audio tapes
  • Internet continuing education courses

STUDY TIPS

Whether studying alone or in a group, consider the following tips:

  • Start with a positive attitude - be proud of what you know.
  • Study some every day. A little each day is much better than a lot all at once.
  • Avoid cramming.
  • Spend more time on subjects that are your greatest weakness.
  • Pick a time to study when you are most alert. Research indicates that morning and early evening are the most productive times to study.
  • Stick to your study schedule!
  • Your study place should be conveniently located, quiet, well lit, cool, undisturbed and comfortable.
  • Take breaks but only rest for about 3-5 minutes.
  • Each day, briefly review what you have learned. At the end of a week, conduct a weekly review.
  • When taking notes, "mapping" may be helpful. Use brief outlines.
  • Write out ten questions from your notes and then answer them.
  • Read aloud.
  • Avoid studying two related subjects in the same study period. Take a rest in between.
  • Tape record important key items from references and listen to tapes to and from work or other travels.
  • Make flash cards and use with a study buddy.
  • Make index cards with important facts highlighted - carry in your pocket at work to review.
  • Post a "drug of the week" or "topic of the week" by the work phone.
  • Do dress rehearsals - make up a self-test. Take the Practice Exam from ABPANC.
  • Allow time for family and fun!

DEALING WITH TEST-TAKING ANXIETY

If you suffer from test-taking anxiety, consider taking a course at a local college designed to teach test-taking strategies. The Internet is a great place to find strategies - enter test taking or studying as key words.

As you near the examination date, study preparations should come to a close. Spend the last week before the examination reviewing materials, rather than trying to learn new information.

If you are taking an exam review course, decide if the purpose of doing so is to "learn” new material or to "review" material. Learning new material should take place earlier in your study program while reviewing material can occur later in the process.

In the days before the examination, concentrate on healthy living!

Eat sensibly and get plenty of rest. To reduce anxiety on the day of the examination, locate the test site before you need to travel to it.

Don’t study the night before the examination. Get a good night’s rest.

Dress in layers for the examination.

Wear bright, upbeat colored clothing to the test!

When you arrive at the test, don’t panic. Sit quietly and practice relaxation techniques. Have confidence - you have studied and prepared well.

Read all test directions before you begin.

Pace yourself. Divide your time according to the number of questions and the time allotted.

Read each question carefully. Usually your first response is the correct one. Avoid changing answers. If you leave an answer blank, when you go back, be certain to fill in the correct response on the answer sheet. However, avoid skipping around on the answer sheet.

After you have finished the examination, review the answer sheet to be certain that you have filled in every circle.

When you leave the examination, don't discuss the questions with colleagues - this only heightens your anxiety.

CELEBRATE!

Plan a celebration - you've done it! Congratulations on taking the "next" step in your professional career. The study process, in and of itself, is a wonderful opportunity. You are a better perianesthesia nurse for having taken the journey!