Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

Specialties CCU

Published

  1. I have or would like to get my CCRN certification: (you may select more than one)

    • 851
      Yes
    • 17
      No
    • 365
      If yes: I get some kind of financial reward or incentive to achieve and maintain certification.
    • 331
      If yes: There is no financial reward or incentive at my institution for CCRN certification.
    • 360
      If yes: I have or can have CCRN on my name badge or there is other forms of acknowledgement.
    • 291
      If yes: I find the certification has empowered my practice and would encourage others to pursue it.
    • 13
      If yes: It really hasn't been worth the work and I would discourage others from pursuing it.
    • 5
      If no: I don't have the certification and feel no need or have had negative experiences.
    • 53
      If no: I would like to pursue it, but have had difficulty getting motivated.
    • 12
      I am undecided.

379 members have participated

Is there anyone else out there who is currently studying for the CCRN exam and would like to start a thread as perhaps a study and support group? I have just applied for the exam and have not yet set a date, but about in 3 months is when I will be taking it. I would love to be in communication with others in the same boat! I hope there is at least one other nurse out there! Thanks!

deeDawntee

Specializes in ICU.

I love this thread! I've been an RN, BSN for one year, worked progressive care, but last week began my journey to become a critical care nurse. I'm going to through the Critical Care Internship Program, which utilizes the ECCO modules from AACN. I'm working MSICU. I've only had two actual days on the unit, but I am so happy with my decision. It is as if I am finally doing what I was meant to--I feel like a real nurse now!

Anyway, in the future I am definitely planning on becoming certified. I think I am going to give myself a full year on the unit and then begin studying. I'm intimidated though since a lot of nurses on the unit have been there for 15-20 years and I wonder what their reactions would be to someone who is "new" becoming certified. I just love to learn and am always looking for ways to better myself and my patients!!

Thanks,

Nicole

Specializes in SICU, Peds CVICU.

How long does it take after you apply to take the exam to get permission to test?

I applied in early August. I was sure it was in the mail today, but it was just my notification to renew my AACN membership. Argg.... I'm getting so impatient, even though there's still a lot of studying i want to do.

Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.

I bought the PASS CCRN book and I am about to start studying. I took a test to see where I was and I received a 68% score. How bad is this and what score do I need to achieve to assure myself that I will pass this test?

Are the questions from PASS CCRN easier or harder?

I really would like to get my CCRN. I need to know cardiac and pulmonary as those seem to be the ones wherein I know the absolute least and they are big portions of the test!

For all of you who passed WOW! :yeah: I know this test must be really hard.

I bought the PASS CCRN book and I am about to start studying. I took a test to see where I was and I received a 68% score. How bad is this and what score do I need to achieve to assure myself that I will pass this test?

Are the questions from PASS CCRN easier or harder?

I really would like to get my CCRN. I need to know cardiac and pulmonary as those seem to be the ones wherein I know the absolute least and they are big portions of the test!

For all of you who passed WOW! :yeah: I know this test must be really hard.

68% is not bad. You will improve each time you take the Pass CCRN test. My last PASS CCRN exam I got 87% (day before actual exam), I took the real exam the following morning and got the same score. It's pretty accurate. :) Keep working on those questions. I have probably answer close to 2000 questions before taking the real one.

I bought the PASS CCRN book and I am about to start studying. I took a test to see where I was and I received a 68% score. How bad is this and what score do I need to achieve to assure myself that I will pass this test?

Are the questions from PASS CCRN easier or harder?

I really would like to get my CCRN. I need to know cardiac and pulmonary as those seem to be the ones wherein I know the absolute least and they are big portions of the test!

For all of you who passed WOW! :yeah: I know this test must be really hard.

The KEY to PASS CCRN is using the DVD only and then the book for clarification on concepts you don't understand. Also get the Gasparis DVDs. That's all you need. Do every question on the PASS DVD and read EVERY single rationale. I found the questions on pass dvd to be more difficult than the actual exam.

Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.
The KEY to PASS CCRN is using the DVD only and then the book for clarification on concepts you don't understand. Also get the Gasparis DVDs. That's all you need. Do every question on the PASS DVD and read EVERY single rationale. I found the questions on pass dvd to be more difficult than the actual exam.

I really don't need to go over the PASS book other than to clarify? That's a huge relief. I did get the Gasparis DVD's but have not yet watched them. I'll start with cardio and pulmonary unless I should start somewhere else?

Dang--that was one hard-a$$ test! Passed with 118 correct.

I used the Dennison book and the Ahrens book. Will agree with above comments on Dennison book and CD--book is WAY too much and in outline form. CD is good way to practice and underestimated my actual score. The Ahrens book was easier to read but it,too,has its share of typos in the quiz answers. My scores on the practice tests in that book were closer to actual.

The one reminder I have is to read the questions CAREFULLY---hypokalemia and hyperkalemia and hypercalcemia all look the same after staring at a screen for an hour. I went back and rechecked every one of my answers and good thing I did cuz I made some silly mistakes the first time through.

Good luck to the rest of y'all.

Z.

Specializes in SRNA.
How long does it take after you apply to take the exam to get permission to test?

I applied in early August. I was sure it was in the mail today, but it was just my notification to renew my AACN membership. Argg.... I'm getting so impatient, even though there's still a lot of studying i want to do.

You should have it by now. I applied to take the exam on Monday and got my notice I can schedule my exam on Thursday. I haven't received anything in the mail yet, but I did receive an e-mail from AMP Customer Service, so you may want to check your e-mail filters or spam inbox to make sure you didn't miss it!!

I finally decided to just get it scheduled so I'll have a deadline as motivation to study! :)

PS - I applied online, and did not send in a paper application, so this may only apply to online applications...it was FAST! You should maybe call AACN to check on the status because once you're approved you have 90 days to take it without extension fees.

Specializes in CCRN.
Dang--that was one hard-a$$ test!

I agree, but aren't you sooo proud of yourself now that you have passed. GONGRATS!:yeah:

Specializes in CCRN.
I'm intimidated though since a lot of nurses on the unit have been there for 15-20 years and I wonder what their reactions would be to someone who is "new" becoming certified. I just love to learn and am always looking for ways to better myself and my patients!!

They should be thankful and proud! Do not let anyone keep you from your goals! I have had co-workers/seasoned nurses who say passing a test doesn't make you a better nurse. BULL! The continued quest for knowledge and empowerment definately makes fo a better nurse. Welcome to the world of critical care and good luck!:nurse:

Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.
Dang--that was one hard-a$$ test! Passed with 118 correct.

I used the Dennison book and the Ahrens book. Will agree with above comments on Dennison book and CD--book is WAY too much and in outline form. CD is good way to practice and underestimated my actual score. The Ahrens book was easier to read but it,too,has its share of typos in the quiz answers. My scores on the practice tests in that book were closer to actual.

The one reminder I have is to read the questions CAREFULLY---hypokalemia and hyperkalemia and hypercalcemia all look the same after staring at a screen for an hour. I went back and rechecked every one of my answers and good thing I did cuz I made some silly mistakes the first time through.

Good luck to the rest of y'all.

Z.

Congratulations!! And thanks for the tip on going back and looking carefully at the questions and your answers before submitting.

My unit just purchased the 5th edition Ahrens book, and it is remarkably easy to read, so I bought that one as well. There are numerous typos (especially for a 5th edition!) but this book is the one that is going to really help me understand concepts thoroughly, rather than just memorizing information. I already understand so much more about the CV system than I thought was possible to cram into my tiny brain. :D

Highly recommended for people who are weak on patho and can't memorize factoids without understanding the big picture.

I just passed the CCRN last week. I reviewed the questions with PassCCRN review book and I used another review book with just questions. Looking at the rationales and practicing answering questions helped me the most.

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