Preparing for the CPN® Exam

Our CPN® Exam content outline/test blueprint has been updated as a result of our 2008 Certified Pediatric Nurse Role Delineation Study. This study was based on the responses of over 2,800 pediatric nurses across the nation who participated in a comprehensive survey of pediatric nursing practice. To learn more, view our CPN Exam Updates PowerPoint and press release.

The PNCB offers the following resources for nurses preparing to take the exam:

• CPN Exam Content Outline
• CPN Certification Reference List
• Sample Questions
• Exam Tips
• CPN Exam Prep
• Test-taking Strategies for CE

The CPN Exam Prep is a unique practice testing tool designed to offer a computer-based simulation of the types of questions included in the CPN® Exam. Participants earn five continuing education contact hours upon completion. This learning activity can help you become familiar with the presentation and structure of CPN® Exam questions related to pediatric nursing content in the following areas:

• Assessment
• Health Promotion
• Management
• Professional Role

The cost for this online activity is $50. We hope you take advantage of this new way to get familiar with how CPN® exam questions are presented. You will also receive in-depth explanations of why an answer is correct, plus you get a score report to help you assess strengths and weaknesses prior to taking your exam.

The PNCB does not provide or endorse specific review courses or materials for certification preparation, but we do offer questions for you to consider when making your selections. The study resources listed below are not inclusive of all resources that may be utilized in the preparation of the certification exam. Candidates may seek additional study aids in preparation for the exam. We hope these resources will be helpful to you as you prepare to take the CPN® Exam.

If your facility has several nurses planning to take the exam, you may want to consider forming a study group. Does your hospital have CPNs® on staff? You may want to ask if they'd be interested in leading a study group.

CPN® Certification Reference List

The PNCB recommends that you use ONE pediatric nursing textbook that you are familiar with to review for the exam. This text should also focus on the subject areas covered by the CPN® Exam Content Outline.

You do not need to study all the references listed below. Other candidates have found the most current edition of the following references useful for their review. The PNCB does not endorse nor have any proprietary relationship with any of the following textbooks.

For Basic Pediatric Nursing Content:

Wong's Essentials of Pediatric Nursing, 8th Edition (2009).
By Marilyn J. Hockenberry, David Wilson and Marilyn L. Winkelstein
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0-323-05353-2

Wong's Nursing Care of Infants and Children, 8th Edition (2007)
By Marilyn J. Hockenberry and David Wilson
Publisher: Elsevier
ISBN: 0-323-03963-4

Child Health Nursing: Partnering with Children and Families (2006).
By J. W. Ball and R. C. Binder
Publisher: Prentice Hall
ISBN: 0-131-13320-9

Pediatric Nursing, Caring for Children and Their Families, 2nd Edition (2006).
By Nicki L. Potts and Barbara L. Mandleco
Publisher: Thomson Delmar Learning
ISBN: 1-401-89711-8

Mosby's Pediatric Nursing Reference, 6th Edition (2008).
By C. L. Betz and L. A. Sowden
Publisher: Mosby, Inc.
ISBN: 978-0-323-04496-7

For Structuring a CPN Review Course/Independent Study:

Lippincott's Review Series: Pediatric Nursing, 4th Edition (2004).
By Mary E. Muscari
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ISBN: 1-582-55341-9

Pediatric Nursing Certification Review (2006).
By Janice Selekman and Louise Jakubik
Publisher: Society of Pediatric Nurses (www.pedsnurses.org)

Straight A's in Pediatric Nursing (2003).
By Springhouse
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ISBN-10: 1-58255-287-8
ISBN-13: 978-1-58255-287-3

For Pediatric Nursing Procedures:

Pediatric Nursing Procedures, 2nd edition (2008).
By Vicky R. Bowden and Cindy Smith Greenberg
Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
ISBN: 978-0781766821

For Pediatric Medications:

Pediatric Dosage Handbook, current edition.
By Carol K. Taketomo, Jane Hurlburt Hodding and Donna M. Kraus
Publisher: Lexi-Comp
ISBN: 978-1-59195-239-8

For Anticipatory Guidance/Developmental Focus:

Bright Futures: Guidelines for Health Supervision of Infants, Children in Maternal & Child Health and Adolescents, 3rd edition (2008).
Edited by Joseph F. Hagan Jr., Judith S. Shaw and Paula Duncan
Publisher: National Center for Education in Maternal and Child Health
ISBN: 978-1-58110-223-9

Selecting a Review Course or Book

What review course should I take? Which books are the best? Do you offer a review course?

We hear these questions often and can't conduct an actual review course because this would be a conflict of interest. We also can't endorse a specific review course or book, but we do recommend you consider the following when selecting a course or title:

1. How are the instructors or authors prepared? Do they have rigorous academic credentials? Do they hold the credential you seek? What about their practice experience?


2. Are the topics covered consistent with the exam's content outline?
3. Do the books offer practice questions after each chapter?
4. Does the course offer testimonials? If so, evaluate the comments offered by your peers.
5. Does the review course ask for feedback? Do they post survey results on their website?
6. Talk to others who have taken a specific review course. Were they satisfied?

You may also want to check your membership organization website for books that are recommended. We hope this gives you an idea of things to look for as you make your decisions.