PCCN failure

Specialties Cardiac

Published

I am not sure what if I should move forward with attempting the Pccn exam. I attempted for first time a few years ago. Failed and signed up right away to retest. Studied but personal issues (sick parent/death) I got off track. Ended up failing the exam again. First time I missed by 1 point and 2nd by 2 or 3 points. Finally decided to attempt exam again and took it today. So basicly started all over. Failed again 65/68. I don't understand my problem. I am a strong nurse. Never been a great test taker but damn. One hand I want to try again but on the other I feel maybe just time to give up and say I don't need it or try for another exam. Just so depressing that I can't pass this exam. Technically I don't need to pass. It is for personal growth only. Just don't know if I can handle another fail. Open to any advice or comments

BonnieSc

1 Article; 776 Posts

How have you been preparing for the exam? Whatever you have been doing, either try the opposite or add something new. It sounds like you've been preparing alone, so my first thought is to form a study group with some of your co-workers.

If I remember correctly, there's a breakdown of how you did on each section. (I remember that although I passed overall, I did shamefully bad on the cardiac section, which should have been my area of expertise.) Are you low all over (which would suggest a testing skills problem, or generally that you need to spend more time in preparation) or are there specific areas you need to focus on? It's a chicken-or-egg thing for me; I don't like cardiac and it doesn't come easily to me. That's where I have to put my effort. Kidney, liver, endocrine stuff--those things I absorb without trying too hard. If you have specific gaps in your knowledge, is there a nurse educator at your facility who could do a tutoring session with you?

I haven't used any of the preparation materials available online (I think), but a lot of people swear by those. I had a study group led by a nurse educator (her materials may have come from the official test prep materials), but mostly I reviewed the material on my own at home. More study group time would definitely have been more helpful than reviewing alone, for me.

AngelhopeRN

3 Posts

No one is even trying for it at mine work right now. So it is only option to go it alone or not at all. I think my problem is that I focusing so much on other area cause I am worried I don't know them enough. I actually did well in all other areas. Shamefully cardiac was my weak area. The review video my educator provided are good but not that detailed. Guess need to keep study and refocus on areas I missed

AngelhopeRN

3 Posts

Forgot to update, passed. Think it was in my head.

HoosierRN06

11 Posts

Congratulations!

crbetts

36 Posts

Specializes in Progressive Care.

So what do you do differently to pass this time?

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