Has anyone taken the PCCN exam?

ChelleChelle · Sep 2, 2007

I am currently thinking about testing, wondering if anyone knows of good study guides, what to expect, any good advice? Any help is greatly appreciated!!

Hi skcrn,

I took the PCCN exam about 2 months ago along with about 9 other nurses from my hospital.

Of the group of 10..........7 passed. 3 nurses did not pass on the 1st attempt; 2 of those 3 have since retaken and passed on the 2nd attempt. The last one has chosen not to retake at this point in time.

From the time that you submit your application to AACN it takes them ~ 1 month to process your paperwork. They then send you a "testing window" postcard which gives you 3 months to schedule and sit your exam. You need to be ready to sit your exam within ~ 3 months of the time you submit your application. For example, if you sent your application in today (September 1st, 2007). AACN would take until ~ October 1st, 2007 to process your exam. They would then set your testing window between October 15th, 2007 and January 15th, 2008.

I attended a 2 day PCCN review & would recommend that you consider it. Check with your hospital educator to see if they would consider sponsoring one. Your local AACN chapter is another group that may be planning a PCCN or CCRN review. Or check on the AACN web-site, they advertise review sessions for the entire US. If you cannot find a PCCN review, the CCRN review would also be helpful in prepping for the PCCN.

I did not buy a text book or review book, but did join a weekly study group and invested 2 hours per week for about 8 months in prepping for the exam.

Check out the PCCN eligibility requirements at: http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/vwdoc/PCCN#PCCN%20Exam%20Eligibility%20Requirement

I would DEFINITELY recommend that you review the test blueprint and other PCCN test information available at: http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/vwdoc/PCCN

There is also a self assessment exam (SAE) that you can purchase on-line for $50.00. I found it helpful as a way to calm my nerves right before the exam. I took it about 2 weeks prior to taking the real thing; not sure I needed it.............but it made me feel more confident and it was also worth contact hours. Info on the SAE is at: http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/vwdoc/SAEExamPCCN

There is a progressive care core curriculum study book available from AACN that some of my colleagues found helpful............but I have not looked at it personally. It's called AACN Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing by Marianne Chulay & Suzanne Burns. If interested you can purchase it from AACN or find a used copy on Amazon.com at: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_gw/102-4557762-8802548?initialSearch=1&url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=progressive+care+chulay

Definitely, definitely, definitely do the sample questions on the AACN web-site at: http://www.aacn.org/CERTCORP/certcorp.nsf/vwdoc/PCCNSampleQuestions?opendocument

The test itself is a computer based exam and is 125 questions in length and you have 2.5 hours to complete it. 25 of the questions do not count (testing out future questions) but you will not know which 25 they are. Passing score is 70 questions correct. You leave the testing facility knowing if you passed or not and what % you scored in each of the test blueprint categories.

Make sure you bone-up on cardiac and pulmonary in particular. Know the anatomical locations of acute MI on 12 lead EKG and the complications there-of as well as ABG interpretation down cold.

The PCCN test blueprint is very detailed and will give you the particulars of what to review and what % of questions from that category are on the exam. You can access it at: http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/e2adc54ac4b1fc078825692f006d1826/2db8b03f34159268882570eb0076aa92?OpenDocument

AACN also offers a bulk discount price if there are at least 10 nurses at your facility that submit their applications for any one of the AACN nurse specialty exams in the same envelope. Nurses can be taking their CCRN, PCCN, CMC, CMS, etc. Details are available at: http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/e2adc54ac4b1fc078825692f006d1826/3e55ff0109c1b0c38825703b0069f2dc?OpenDocument Perhaps your nurse educator would be willing to submit your applications if there are enough interested nurses.

Final Note: All you can do is your best.........and it is not the PCCN exam itself that make you a better RN. It is the process that you go through in studying, prepping, setting goals and achieving them. The PCCN exam is hard enough that you will feel challenged and when you pass you will truly feel that you accomplished something.............but it's not so difficult that it is impossible.

So, set your goal, set your time-line, turn in your application, do the study and prep work, celebrate your achievement............and then use your confidence in your knowledge and skills to achieve better patient outcomes!