Operating Room Nursing Certification
Eligibility to sit for the Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) examination requires completion of a registered nurse academic program, a valid state registered nurse license and attainment of at least 2,400 hours in surgical nursing. While there are three academic options for those needing to obtain a registered nurse license, the Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) requires very specific work experiences that may qualify toward the surgical hour requirement. Certification is valid for five years.
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Registered Nurse Education
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The eligibility criteria to obtain Certified Nurse Operating Room (CNOR) status requires attainment of a registered nurse license. Completion of a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) or diploma program all qualify the nursing student to sit for the National Council for Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN). The major difference between the BSN and ADN or diploma program is duration and course of study. A BSN requires four years of interdisciplinary study rather than the two years of study required for the ADN or diploma programs. The BSN requires a greater duration of study due to the non-nursing coursework that is meant to develop an academically well-rounded student.
National Council for Licensure Examination
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The process to register for the NCLEX-RN is a multi-step task that requires the state board of nursing to conduct a criminal and background check as well as academic verification of credentials. Satisfactory completion of this process grants the nursing student "authorization to test." The NCLEX-RN is a six-hour, computer-administered examination that is held throughout the year. Licensure is granted after the previously mentioned criteria have been satisfactorily met.
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Work Experience
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Qualification to sit for the CNOR examination requires the candidate to have attained a minimum of two years and 2,400 hours of surgical practice as a registered nurse. The nurse must also hold an unrestricted registered nurse license and hold a position in surgical nursing (perioperative) at the time of application. The Competency and Credentialing Institute (CCI) provides an extensive list of registered nursing positions that are eligible and ineligible to sit for the CNOR examination.
Requirements for re-certification are completion of a minimum of 500 hours in perioperative nursing and 125 hours in continuing education during the five year period of certification. The CCI offers an extensive list of continuing education courses and opportunities for those seeking re-certification.
Certification Fees and Dates
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As of 2010, the CNOR examination fee is $295 for Association of periOperative Registered Nurse (AORN) members and $375 for non-members. All applications undergo academic and professional verification by the CCI.
The examination dates for nurses who registered from September through November is January through March. December through February registrants may take the examination from April through June. March through May registrants may take the examination June through September. June through August registrants may take the examination from October through December. The fee for transferring an examination date is $125.
Certification Preparation
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The CCI provides a sample course of study plan that is intended to help candidates focus on the important topics of the examination. The examination preparation books cover topics, such as operating room technique, surgery patient care and perioperative standards of care. CNOR preparation courses are available at select hospitals across the country. e-Practice examinations are made available to registrants.
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References
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