PCCN exam

Specialties Cardiac

Published

Has anyone here ever taken the PCCN test? I am aiming to take it this November. The educator at my work said that the failure rate is pretty high! So far, I am using Ann Brorsen's PCCN review book. I also just ordered David Woodruff's PCCN review package. What are the best review materials I can use? Any study/exam tips?

Thanks a bunch!

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Specializes in Public Health, TB.

I took the exam last year,but they have since updated it. I used David Woodruff's study package and felt well prepared. But I had also just finished my masters degree.

5 of my coworkers have also passed, on the first try. Some of them took a review course by Carol Jacobsen RN, MN and studied her book "Cardiovascular Nursing Practice". Here's a link

Cardiovascular Nursing Education Associates (CNEA) - Cardiac Nursing Review Courses |

Best Wishes,

J

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Specializes in Telemetry.

I passed on my first try, and the main review I used was David Woodruff's. I also used Pass CCRN for practice questions. Good luck!

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Specializes in PCU/Telemetry.

I passed about a week ago and used a program from med-ed Med-Ed > Online Education > Login Portal.... There are lectures from Cammy House-Fancher that you can stream and outlines and practice tests. It was very helpful to me. Good Luck!!

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Specializes in pcu/stepdown/telemetry.

Not an impossible test but it was hard. pass rate as per aacn site is less than 59%. If you already work in pcu cardiac and have experience there are things on the test you will already know. Cardiovascular and pulmonary was big. If you work in med surg tele and take the test without studying for months I could see someone failing it. I studied aacn book core curriculum of progressive care nursing and studied for 3 months to retain it. Went to Barnes and Noble and looked at books that were for CCRN, some had practice questions (pass ccrn) that were good to see but not worth buying. Also did the aacn self assessment exam online test which I scored 58 on so that made me realize even more how hard the test will be and how they ask a question.Don't cram it in because the amount that you could learn will make you a better nurse.

PS: just to make you feel better if you think about it you can get 55 questions wrong on the test. There are 125 questions 25 aren't scored, and the pass is 70% so you won't know which are the 25 that don't count but you still have 30 left that can be wrong

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Specializes in cardiac.

The books you bought are good. I took a two day class and studied quite a bit and passed the test about 4 years ago. If you work on a cardiac floor most of cardiac should make sense, so concentrate on your weak areas. Good luck.........you can do it!

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Hey all,

I am taking the exam this wednesday 15th sep 2010.I was confident till this am .I paid and took the pretest this am in which I got only 60%.I am afraid and nervous now.Any body had the same experience?.I still have 2 days for the real one.what should I do now?.how should I prepare? Should I postpond or take it.Is the pretest harder than the real one or vise versa?.anybody knows.Please reply ASAP

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Specializes in cardiac.

Take a deep breath. Study cardiac and respitory. Breath again and take the test. You'll do fine.

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ED, Nurse Instructor,.

These are some good tips. I brought the David Woodruff's PCCN review. I hope to take the test before January because I am planning on starting on my Master's degree. Congratulations to all who have taken it and passed. Good luck to us who are planning on taking the test. Keep us posted.

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I am taking it now it hard. Good luck

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An 86 y/o F admitted to our unit for acute renal failure a/o in good physical shape became unresponsive BP 184/110 Rapid responsive called what interventions wuld you expect ?

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Want to encourage everyone who studies for the PCCN!

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