CVRN Certification

Specialties Cardiac

Published

I wanted to get my cardiovascular RN certification.

I started studying the topics and when I went to the website to do a bunch of test questions, I did great.

Then I realized I needed to get my 30 hours of CEUs to sit for the exam. Since my hospital wasn't reimbursing for conferences, it seemed like a great idea was to get the ANCC Cardiac Vascular Nursing book which, upon completion and successful submission of a separate test, grants you the 30 required CEUs. I thought I could kill two birds with one stone by reading this book-- CEUs plus studying.

Instead, this book is KILLING ME. Has anyone else tried to read it? It's so dry. Information is in never-ending bulleted lists. Important points are presented the same way as much less important points, making it hard to mentally organize. Originally, I was off full speed studying for the exam. Now I"m at a dead halt. I feel like I'll never get through with this book and it's killing my desire to even take the darn certification. Should I push through? Should I shell out the money for conferences and forget the book?

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I say you find an alternative source of study unless you absolutely can't find anything else. We as humans learn best when we are motivated.

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Academics.

Yes, the book is extremely dry...drier than any of my nursing textbooks, if that's even possible.

I searched around for alternative study methods for the exam, and I found something at pearlsreview dot com that offers alternative presentation methods to study with. It's $69 for 12 months of full access to all the courses, plus you can earn CEUs. I didn't go in depth into the site because I do fine with dry material, but you might find it helpful to get your mojo back.

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Specializes in CCU.

I have that book and have to agree it is awfully boring!! There is a nurse on my unit who took the exam and used my book to study and she passed. Said the most helpful part is the cardiac rehab... But thats probably bc we work in a CCU that get fresh hearts and critical care. Do you work in an ICU? Have you considered the CCRN? You can add on the CSC and CMC as well depending on where you work. That's what I did; there are a lot more study materials out for those. Plus you can almost take all three for the price of just the 1 from the ANCC. If you are set on the CVRN I did hear its a not very clinical- ie more therapeutic comm and best practice type stuff- just like it states in the outline. Anyways good luck!!!

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I am finding it hard to believe that someone read this thing cover-to-cover. Maybe my problem is that I try to aborb every detail when I study.

and1ccrn, how did your co-worker get her CEUs if she only borrowed your book to study? ANCC is slick now with granting their 30 CEUs- you have to provide an order number that can only be used once for each book.

I no longer work in ICU so I believe by the time you sit for the exam, you have to have a certain number of hours/year related to the certification you're taking. So I can sit for a CV but not for CCRN anymore.

The CSC and CMC you mention are AACN certifications. Does anyone even know what's the deal with those two organizations now? I heard one ate the other or it's supposed to...

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Specializes in CCU.

Are you talking about the CVRN-BC through the ABCM- American board of cardiovascular medicine or are you talking about the cardiac vascular cert though the ANCC? I just emailed someone from the ABCM and the pre req is 2 years work in cardiac or a certified cardiac course. If you are talking about the RN-BC through the ANCC, which is what my friend got, she has the ceu's from other certifications she maintains. You can go to PACEP.org and complete this program. It's ppt guides lectures- it goes overs pa catheter management and hemodynamics... And best part- its free, and totals out to 22hrs of ceu's. Unfortunately you might just need to tough it through the book since you already bought it. My friend did say you might be better off as an experienced cardiac stepdown nurse taking the ANCC exam bc it was not very clinical or geared towards critical care. I just wasn't sure what exam you were taking. I am going to sit for the CVRN level I & II soon- level I is for tele nurses and II for CCU nurses. No ceu's required and the exam and credentials are recognized by the ANCC. Sorry for the confusion, hope this clears it up a bit. Good luck whatever path you choose

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Specializes in ER, progressive care.

that PACEP.org site is a great resource :up:

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I am finding it hard to believe that someone read this thing cover-to-cover. Maybe my problem is that I try to aborb every detail when I study.

and1ccrn, how did your co-worker get her CEUs if she only borrowed your book to study? ANCC is slick now with granting their 30 CEUs- you have to provide an order number that can only be used once for each book.

I no longer work in ICU so I believe by the time you sit for the exam, you have to have a certain number of hours/year related to the certification you're taking. So I can sit for a CV but not for CCRN anymore.

The CSC and CMC you mention are AACN certifications. Does anyone even know what's the deal with those two organizations now? I heard one ate the other or it's supposed to...

That's so they can make as much money as possible from you......anything for a buck, JMHO

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Wondering if anyone has any other suggestions for cardiac education certifications similar to ACLS, TNCC, etc. that my nurses at our critical access hospital (11-beds) can complete to stay current and competent on cardiac nursing including rhythm analysis, interventions, etc. Thanks in advance!

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