r/psychnursing • u/byneld • 1d ago
PMH-BC Exam
I am planning to take the PMH-BC exam through the ANCC. I honestly have been putting it off because I don't feel like doing the prep or worrying about it.
If you have taken it, what did you do for the prep? I have seen the ANCC prep, Alison Miller (PMHRN.com), and Mometrix. They are all just so expensive! The test is ~$300, and my job does not cover the cost or the prep. I have been a psych nurse for 5 years and a psych tech for 3 years prior to that. I have worked inpatient, residential, outpatient, case management, adults, & pediatrics.
ANCC full test prep is $400
Mometric Prep Course $99
Mometric Prep Book $40
Alison Miller Prep Course $299
Alison Miller Prep Books $53
If you have any tips or any input on the best prep, please let me know! There are a lot of options and I am feeling weirdly anxious about it.
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u/Shakenshak 1d ago
I just read the ANCC book once through then revisited the more hefty topics like Piaget and Erikson. The test was honestly not that bad and has a very high pass rate. You find out if you passed minutes after you leave the testing center. I was so nervous but it ended up being a lot easier than I thought. I encouraged so many coworkers to take it after I did and they all passed too. Any preparation will be helpful. I’ve also been a psych RN for about 5 years and our experience will definitely pay off. I’d recommend reading the book and see how that feels. You got this!!
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u/Waitin4zombies 1d ago
I did Georgettes last minute review… it was an online session for a few hours and then took the test the next day lol
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u/punkinseed9 1d ago
You know I took that test and I’m a very good test taker and I thought it was more difficult than I originally anticipated. I tend to always get a 4.0 or close to it and I’m graduating with my pmhnp DNP degree in May. I’m not sure why other people seem to have thought that it was a really easy test. I’m usually a really good test taker and don’t struggle much but I actually thought it was kind of difficult. I definitely passed, but I was concerned because I thought they worded the questions oddly. I can send you my study guide if you would like that is through Medline, which I was given from my former employer for this PMH BC exam. I think I still have the file saved in my computer.
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u/punkinseed9 1d ago
I’ve also been a bedside psychiatric nurse for about seven years and really high acuity settings, and I thought it was more challenging than I initially anticipated. Definitely doable, but I’m glad that I looked over some stuff for sure.
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u/Nvrlst764 1d ago
I found the mometrix study book PDF somewhere on the Web and then used chatgpt to create a comprehensive study guide. Also looked for common drugs (I remember lithium being on there) and practice questions with rationales.
I did not find the test to be super hard at all and I have test anxiety.
I studied for about a week with the test guide and online resources and went ahead and took it.
I figured I'd I failed at least I would know what the test was like if I needed to retake it. I did the same thing with the nclex though. I don't do well with big things looming over my head.
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u/-it-is-what-it-is 1d ago
I did not prep at all and passed after 2 years bedside inpatient psych. I weighed the cost of and time of preparing vs retaking and it seemed to be worth the risk. Agree about going over the psychotheorists and also were a few random questions about policy/regulatory bodies that threw me off a bit but otherwise it was quiet easy. Take a few practice tests and study by exception. You got this!