2. PRESENTATION OBJECTIVES
Describe the value of certification.
Review eligibility requirements for CNOR certification.
Identify components of the CNOR exam.
Discuss available exam prep aids.
Discuss the CNOR application process.

3. CNOR CERTIFICATION
CNOR Certification is defined as: The documented validation of the professional achievement of identified standards of practice by an individual registered nurse providing care for patients before, during and after surgery.

4. Nursing Certification Bibliography 2014
The American Board of Nursing Specialties
maintains a comprehensive listing of all certification research studies.
Found at:

5. Blegen, M.A. (2012), Does Certification of Staff Nurses Improve Patient Outcomes? Evidence Based Nursing, 15(2), Frank-Stromberg, M., Ward, S., Hughes, L., Brown, K., Coleman, A., Grindel, C. G., et al. (2002). Does certification status of oncology nurses make a difference in patient outcomes? Oncology Nursing Forum, 29(4), Hart, S, Bergquist, S, Gajewski, B., & Dunton, N. (2006), Reliability testing of the National Database of Nursing Quality Indicators pressure ulcer indicator. Journal of Nursing Care Quality, 21(3), Kendall-Gallagher, D., Aiken, L.H., Sloane, D.M. & Cimiotti, J.P.(2011), Nursing specialty certification, inpatient mortality, and failure to rescue. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 43(2), Kendall-Gallagher, D. & Blegen, M.A. (2009). Competence and certification of Registered Nurses and safety of patients in intensive care units. American Journal of Critical Care, 18(2), Krapohl, G., Manojlovich, M., Redman, R., & Zhang, L. (2010), Nursing specialty certification and nursing-sensitive patient outcomes in Intensive Care Unit. American Journal of Critical Care, 19(6), MeHugh, M. D., Kelly, L. A. Smith, H. L., WU. E. S., Vanak, J. M. & Aiken, L. H., (2012) Lower Mortality in Magnet Hospitals. Medical Care, October, Nelson, A., Powell-Cope, G., Palacios, P., Luther, S.L., Black, T., Hillman, T., et al. (2007). Nursing staffing and patient outcomes in inpatient rehabilitation settings. Rehabilitation Nursing. 32(5):

6. BENEFITS FOR YOU – THE NURSE
Professional recognition and credibility.
Professional achievement – validates the nurse’s specialized knowledge.
Personal accomplishment – sense of pride, fulfillment and empowerment.
Useful for career advancement and professional opportunities.

7. BENEFITS TO YOUR PATIENT
Contributes to better patient care
Becoming a consumer expectation

8. BENEFITS FOR YOUR EMPLOYER
Quality indicator that attracts patients, physicians and other healthcare professionals.
Provides a rigorous benchmark to ensure that the nursing staff is qualified, knowledgeable, experienced.
Aligns well with programs
used by other healthcare
professions

9. BENEFITS FOR MAGNET INSTITUTIONS
The CNOR credential is a recognized by ANCC as a national certification for the Demographic Data Collection Tool (DDCT).
Supports the Magnet process with a certification specific to perioperative nursing, a large part of the nursing workforce in a facility.

10. CNOR ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Licensed as a RN in the country where currently practicing perioperative nursing
Completed a minimum of two years and 2,400 hours of perioperative nursing practice in an administrative, teaching, research, or general staff capacity
At least 50%, or 1,200 hours, must be in the intraoperative setting
Must be currently working in a perioperative nursing role either full or part-time

11. CNOR EXAM 200 multiple choice questions
3 hours and 45 minutes to complete the test
Updated annually to reflect current perioperative standards and recommended practices
Administered by an independent testing company, Prometric
May be taken Monday through Saturday, excluding holidays, at test centers nationwide
Photo credit: Getcollegecredit.com

12. CNOR EXAM CONTENT
The Candidate Handbook is found at
The estimated Subject Area breakdown on the CNOR exam is as follows:
(information is subject to change)
Subject Area
% of Questions
1. Preoperative Patient Assessment and Diagnosis
14%
2. Develop Individualized Plan of Care 9%
3. Intraoperative Activities
31%
4. Communications
5. Transfer of Care 5%
6. Cleaning, Disinfecting, Packaging and Sterilization
12%
7. Emergency Situations 8%
8. Management of Personnel Services and Materials 6%
9. Professional Accountability
Total
100%

13. COMPLIMENTARY RESOURCES
These may all be found on the CCI website:
Handbook
Study plan
CNOR exam content outline
Learner/self assessment tools
Sample test questions
Webinar recordings
Contact information for prep-for-cert courses

14. CCI READINES TOOLS CNOR Readiness Evaluation Survey
Self Assessment Exam with Enhanced Score Report
200 questions

15. EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES
Current edition of AORN Standards and Recommended Practices
Perioperative nursing reference books
Phillips, N. (2013). Operating
room technique (12th ed.).
St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Rothrock, J.C. (2015).
Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery (15th ed.).

16. EXAM PREPARATION RESOURCES
Current edition of AORN Standards and Recommended Practices
Perioperative nursing reference books
Phillips, N. (2013). Operating room technique (12th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Rothrock, J.C. (2015). Alexander’s care of the patient in surgery (15th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Script to Gary.

17. OPTIONAL REFERENCES A&P/Pathophysiology textbook Med/surg book
Medical dictionary
Lab/test reference manual
Formulary/drug reference manual
AORN Journal
AAMI standards
Websites
TJC
CDC

18. CCI STUDY AIDS CNOR Exam Study Guide Learning Modules with CHs

19. SOURCES FOR PRACTICE QUESTIONS
CD-ROM with 100 practice questions
Online practice exam
Flashcards with 200 practice questions
App or hard copy

20. DEADLINES FOR TESTING
Apply and pay one month prior to the three month testing window (i.e. if you apply in February, then you can test in March, April, or May).
Once your paid application is approved, you can schedule a date, time, and location that are convenient for you.

21. CURRENT CNOR APPLICATION FEES (Fees subject to change without notice)
$385 Regular
$310 AORN member
Take 2 Facility Program
Discount for employees of DoD/VA
Please check our website for additional information

22. GROUP PROGRAMS Take 2 Program Facility-based program
When a facility enrolls five (5) or more nurses, each receives a free CNOR exam retake during a 12 month contract period.
Learn more at

24. Accrual Period for Recertification Activities
IMPORTANT RECERTIFICATION INFORMATION (information is subject to change)
At the end of your 5-year cycle, you must apply for recertification by one of the following:
Contact hours (125)
Points (300)
Exam
CNOR
Credential Valid
Accrual Period for Recertification Activities
Recert
Application Due
(for discounted fee)
2014 – 2019
1/1/14 – 12/31/18
7/1/19
2015 – 2020
1/1/15 – 12/31/19
7/1/20

25. Please know that the CCI staff is here to help you achieve your goal of CNOR certification. If you have questions, please contact us at or