Getting Ready for ANCC's PMHN Certification Exam

Preparing for your board certification exam is daunting. No doubt. But with the right strategies and tools, you can boost your confidence and increase your chances of passing the first time. I'm going to guide you through a few exam prep techniques that will help you pass the exam with flying colors.

Understanding Nursing Certification

Nursing certification is a credential that validates our abilities and knowledge--in this case, in psychiatric-mental health nursing. It significantly enhances our professional qualifications and can open up new opportunities (and more money!) Many health care organizations are seeking out certified nurses because certification indicates a level of engagement in the profession and commitment to providing best practice patient care. . Understanding what is required for certification is crucial.

Don't feel you have to learn everything digitally! Maybe you like making notes as you read and using a highlighter.! "Old school" materials are perfect for the visual learner. Choosing the learning style that's right for you is crucial to your success in passing this exam.

Getting Ready

Creating a study plan is one of the most essential steps in your exam preparation. A structured plan will help you organize your study sessions and allocate time for each subject area covered in the exam. Here are the three steps to creating your own study plan:

1. Assess Your Current Knowledge: Start by identifying your strengths and weaknesses in each topic area. Work through some practice questions to see where you need to focus your efforts. PMHRN offers two different sets of practice questions. One is Alison Miller's book of 100 Practice Questions for ANCC's PMHN Exam and the other is PMHRN's online mini video course of 40 Practice Questions with Discussion and Rationales.

   
   

2. Create a Schedule: Allocate specific times for studying. Be realistic about how much time you can dedicate. There's no law that says you have to study an hour a day (or whatever!) How about studying 20 uninterrupted minutes a day instead? Or maybe schedule it as a topic a day instead of an amount of time. And break the big topics down even further, e.g., study just one of the personality disorder clusters each session instead of the whole shebang in one sitting. Make it digestible and you'll resist studying a lot less. If you'd like a copy of PMHRN's 12-week study schedule, CLICK HERE.

   
   

3. Review Regularly: Revisit previously studied material frequently to reinforce your understanding and recall. This is really important, especially as you get closer to the exam date. But again--don't make the mistake we all made in college by trying to cram. It doesn't work, pure and simple. Slow and steady will truly win this race.

   
   

Some nurses love this kind of organization. And some find it overwhelming and confining. Organize your study materials and study schedule in a way that works for you!

Utilizing Resources and Study Materials

Choosing the right study materials is vital. Check out PMHRN's extensive exam prep offerings, all of which are on sale now through May 12, 2025 for 20% off!

PMHRN's Online Exam Prep Master Course. Organized into 73 short, topic-specific lessons, you can be assured you're studying everything you need to know for the exam. The 40 Practice Questions mini course is automatically included in the Master Course--a $99 value. It also includes 26 downloadable PDF handouts to help make your studying even easier. Use the discount code NURSESWEEK at checkout to get your 20% off May 1-May 12, 2025.

Psychiatric-Mental Health RN Certification Review Book by Alison L. Miller, MSN, PMHRN-BC, has been expanded and updated for ANCC's PMHN Board Exam that was launched in September, 2024. This textbook is comprehensive, condensed, current, logically organized, and test-relevant.

100 RN Exam Prep Practice Questions by Alison L Miller, MSN, PMHRN-BC. Practice questions a cshould be an integral part of your preparing for the exam. They will help you become familiar with the way these test questions are written, as well as what material you must know in order to pass. But just knowing the answer to a question isn't enough. You have to know why it's correct. And even more importantly, you need to know why the other three are wrong. These practice questions provide you with all of it.

Pass the PMHN the First Time: 34 Secrets Plus Bonus Material may be a relatively small book--but it is loaded with important tips that will help you pass the first time! And it includes a 12-week study plan, 18 psychiatric terms you must know, and a checklist of 33 topics you need to know to pass with flying colors, among other topics.

Test-Taking Strategies

As the exam date approaches, it's essential to refine your test-taking strategies. Here are some tips to consider:

1. Practice Time Management: Remember that this is a 150-question exam that you have to complete in 180 minutes (3 hours). So you have to be at least at question 75 at the 90 minute mark...and that's cutting it a bit close. You should shoot for 1 minute per question. If you start at 9:40am, jot down (on the paper they allow you to have) 11:10am as a half-way reminder. If you're past question 75, now would be a good time to take a short (6-9 min) break.

   
   

2. Read Each Question Carefully: Pay attention to keywords in questions. Words like “least” or “not” can dramatically change the answer.

   
   

3. Eliminate Wrong Answers: Start by eliminating obviously incorrect options. This increases your chances of guessing correctly if you're unsure.

   
   

4. Stay Calm and Confident: Anxiety can hinder your performance. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, reduces stress before and during the exam.

   
   

Day Before the Exam

The day before the exam is crucial for optimal performance. Here’s what you should do:

• Review Key Points: Lightly review your notes and important concepts, but don’t try to cram new information.

• Gather Necessary Materials: Prepare your ID, exam confirmation, and any allowed materials (like a calculator).

  
  

• Rest Well: Prioritize a good night’s sleep. Being well-rested will help you think more clearly.

  
  

• Stay Hydrated and Eat Wisely: Drink plenty of water and eat a healthy meal that won't lead to a sugar crash.

  
  

On Exam Day

On the big day, remember to:

• Arrive Early: A nurse told me just last week that her Prometric Testing Center was mobbed when she got there! It took her 45 min to be checked in, so she missed her start time! It completely threw her off. Now, I've never heard of that happening before--even in downtown Chicago where I took my exam just 6 months ago, there was nothing like that kind of back-up. But apparently it can happen. So get there early.

  
  

• Stay Positive: Trust in your preparation. Remind yourself how hard you've worked and that you will either know right away or be able to figure out the right answers.

  
  

• Follow Instructions Carefully: Listen closely to any instructions provided by the exam proctor.

  
  

After the Exam

Once the exam is over, take a moment to decompress. Regardless of your outcome, take stock in what you learned from the experience. If you pass, do something to celerbate. If you don't pass, resist any impulse to shame yourself. Please!!! It's an academic exam, not an analysis of you as a person, or even you as an RN! Later on, you can analyze what worked in your study strategy and what didn’t and think about how to tackle this a bit better next time around.

As always, you guys know you can always reach out to me with any questions you have if you get stuck on a topic. Happy to help!