SCRN Exam - Stroke Certified Registered Nurse
About SCRN Certification
SCRN stands for Stroke Certified Registered Nurse Certification. It is offered by the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN). The SCRN credential showcases the expertise of nurses in stroke nursing. The SCRN certificate by ABNN highlights the professional achievement of nurses, validating nurses’ professional knowledge in handling stroke patients across various care settings. In this article, you will get information about SCRN Exam Eligibility criteria, passing score, how to recertify, practice questions, and resources.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
Exam Name | SCRN stands for Stroke Certified Registered Nurse |
Exam Description | Certification exam offered by ABNN for nurses specializing in stroke care, validating expertise across various care settings. |
Credentials Earned | Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN). |
Eligibility Requirements | SCRN candidates must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S., Canada, or U.S. territories, or meet equivalent international licensure requirements verified by CGFNS, WES, or ERES. Licensure verification and an audit are required. Candidates must also have at least one year (2,080 hours) of full-time stroke nursing experience within the past three years, in either direct patient care or indirect roles such as research, consultation, education, or administration. |
Completion Time | 3 hours to complete the exam. |
Subjects Covered in the Exam | Anatomy, physiology, and pathology of stroke; hyperacute care; acute care; post-acute care; and primary and secondary preventive care. |
Number of Questions | 170 multiple-choice questions, including 150 scored questions and 20 unscored pretest questions. |
Exam Format | Multiple-choice, computer-based test. |
Exam Proctoring | Administered at testing centers or via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP). |
Recertification Details | Required every 5 years. Recertification options include: (1) 4,160 practice hours (2 years full-time) within five years and passing the SCRN exam; (2) 4,160 practice hours plus 50 CE hours; or (3) for part-time nurses, 2,500 practice hours (2 years part-time) plus 100 CE hours. |
Pass/Fail Rates | Annual pass rates typically range from 66% to 72%. |
Difficulty Level | Hard. |
Study Material | The BoardCerts Question Bank provides exam-aligned practice questions curated by subject-matter experts for SCRN candidates. |
SCRN Question Bank by BoardCerts
BoardCerts offers a comprehensive question bank designed to help you excel on the Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) examination. Featuring practice questions and four predictor exams, the content is fully aligned with the SCRN exam blueprint. Clinical experts and SCRN-certified professionals meticulously review each question to ensure accuracy and relevance. The question bank reflects the rigor of the exam and includes detailed rationales and explanations to enhance understanding and preparation.
What is the Exam Content Outline?
The Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) certification exam evaluates a candidate's expertise across key content areas, ensuring comprehensive knowledge in stroke care. These primary content areas are:
- Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology of Stroke (16.5%): This area covers brain anatomy, types of stroke, and related disorders.
- Hyperacute Care (24.7%): This section focuses on triage, diagnostics, and treatment decisions.
- Acute Care (24.7%): This section addresses acute phase care, intervention, and early rehabilitation.
- Post-acute Care (11.2%): This segment evaluates medication management and community resources to support recovery.
- Primary and Secondary Preventative Care (11.2%): This area highlights education on risk factors and preventative strategies.
For a more detailed blueprint outline, please review the SCRN exam blueprint, which can be found here: Preparation and Resources
Exam Categories: Percentage Distribution
Eligibility Requirements for SCRN Credential
To be eligible for the SCRN certification exam, candidates must hold a current, unrestricted RN license in the U.S., Canada, or U.S. territories, or an equivalent international license verified by organizations such as the Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS), World Education Services (WES), or Educational Records Evaluation Service (ERES). Licensure verification and an audit are required. Additionally, candidates must have at least one year (2,080 hours) of full-time stroke nursing experience within the past three years in either direct patient care or indirect roles such as research, consultation, education, or administration.
Exam Application Process
Online Application:
Application Submission:
Scheduling the Exam:
Preparation:
Exam Dates and Costs
The Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) exam is administered during testing windows in February, May, and September each year.
For the most current information on an SCRN program, like exam dates, application deadlines, and fees, please visit the ABNN website.
What is the Exam Format?
- Number of Questions: The Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) certification exam consists of 170 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 150 are scored, while 20 are unscored pretest questions used for future exam development.
- Exam Response Options: Multiple-choice with four response options (A, B, C, D) with one correct answer choice.
- Testing Options: The exam is available at designated test centers and can also be taken via Live Remote Proctoring (LRP), providing flexibility for candidates.
- Time Allotted: Candidates have 3 hours to complete the exam.
Find more information about Exam Content Outline in the SCRN Candidate Handbook.
What is the Passing Score of SCRN?
- Difficulty Level: The SCRN certification exam is considered challenging, with annual pass rates varying between 69% and 72% in recent years.
- Passing Score: The passing score for the SCRN exam is determined by neuroscience nursing experts and test specialists, based on the expected performance of a minimally competent candidate. The ABNN Board of Trustees makes the final decision. A scaled score ensures fairness across different test versions by adjusting raw scores to a consistent scale. The passing raw score is set at 200, and other scores are adjusted accordingly to account for variations in exam difficulty, ensuring all candidates are evaluated fairly. Passing the SCRN examination is required to become SCRN Certified.
- Exam Statistics: Detailed statistics, including annual pass rates and the number of candidates tested, are available on the ABNN's Exam Statistics webpage.
- Score Reporting: Candidates are notified of their pass/fail status along with their scaled score at the testing center immediately after the exam or via email if taken through live remote proctoring. Certificates for those who pass will be mailed within 4-6 weeks of the exam date. ABNN awards the SCRN certificate to nurses who meet eligibility requirements and pass the exam.
SCRN Exam Proctoring
he Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) exam is administered by the American Board of Neuroscience Nursing (ABNN) in partnership with PSI Services. Candidates have the flexibility to choose between two proctoring options:
- Live Remote Proctoring: This option allows candidates to take the SCRN exam from a secure location of their choice, such as their home or office, using their own computer. During the exam, a remote proctor monitors the candidate in real time through the computer’s webcam and microphone, ensuring the integrity of the testing environment.
- In-Person Testing Centers: Alternatively, you can opt to take the exam at one of PSI's designated testing centers, which are available across various locations. This traditional method involves attending a physical location to complete the exam under supervised conditions.
Both options are designed to maintain the exam's security and integrity while providing flexibility to accommodate your preferences and circumstances.
SCRN Review and Exam Preparation Resources
BoardCerts closely follows the SCRN exam blueprint to ensure practice questions are relevant and aligned with the test content. Questions are developed based on this blueprint and validated against the same references used for the official exam. This approach ensures a question bank grounded in authoritative resources, providing a thorough and effective preparation experience.
Topics on Exam: Detailed topics on the SCRN exam blueprint can be found here: Preparation and Resources.
Review Course: Take a review course, such as the SCRN Review Course offered by ABNN, to build a strong foundation in exam content.
Question Bank: A comprehensive resource like the BoardCerts SCRN Question Bank is highly recommended, as it aligns with the exam blueprint and is reviewed by SCRN-certified nurses, providing extensive question practice essential for success. In addition, it includes four predictor exams to help gauge your exam readiness.
How to Recertify SCRN Certificate?
The Stroke Certified Registered Nurse (SCRN) certification is valid for five years. To recertify, candidates must meet practice hour requirements through one of three pathways, ensuring ongoing expertise in stroke nursing:
Recertify by Exam
- Option 1: Complete a minimum of 4,160 hours of stroke nursing practice within the last five years (equivalent to two years of full-time work) and pass the SCRN certification exam again to demonstrate up-to-date knowledge.
Recertify by Continuing Education (CE)
- Option 2: Accumulate 4,160 hours of stroke nursing practice within the last five years and complete 50 stroke-related CE hours.
- Option 3: For part-time candidates, complete 2,500 practice hours over the past five years and 100 stroke-related CE hours.
For the most current information on SCRN recertification and options, candidates can review the SCRN recertification webpage.
Practice Questions for Stroke Care Scenarios
- Practicing sample questions is a crucial part of SCRN prep and SCRN self-assessment, helping you become familiar with the exam format, question style, and key content areas. The BoardCerts SCRN Question Bank provides high-quality, exam-focused practice questions that align with the SCRN exam blueprint, allowing you to assess your readiness, identify knowledge gaps, and build confidence for test day.
- Access Sample Questions: Find sample questions from the BoardCerts question bank here. These questions are crafted to reflect the level of application and difficulty found on the SCRN exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
