[ElizabethJRN]

I'm surprised there aren't more people out there currently studying! Maybe some will find this thread and be encouraged to take it!

I also only have just over a year of ICU experience. I'm trying to break the mold on my unit where everyone thinks you need 20+ years of ICU experience to take this test.

And that PM would be great! Back to studying!

[deeDawntee]

Hello!!

Hope studying is going well! I sent you that PM. One thing I forgot to tell you is there is another area where AACN has done a lot of research and that is Intra-abdominal hypertension, so that will likely be on the test. Apparently one can transduce a foley catheter!! I am going to have to ask around about that, I hadn't even heard about it before!!

I don't think we need to know the Cranial Nerves, I sent an email to David Woodruff about that. I'm concerned about having to figure out drip rates as well. For crying out loud, that's what IV pumps are for!! I know it's not that hard, but I still hate having to do it.

What hours do you work? I'm 12 hour night shift person. So, I basically work 3 nights a week and am almost full time (0.9).

Good night!!

[ElizabethJRN]

Yes, our unit has the set-up to do IAH monitoring through the pts foley catheter. It's interesting. We don't do it very often, but from the research I've read, we should be doing it more.

Ok, good luck to all studying!

[jlsRN]

I admire your confidence and ethusiasm, Dee Dee, but I wouldn't write off 20 years of ICU experience so eagerly. And also, they've paid their dues and maybe they don't feel the need to pass this exam since they have so much hands on experience. Also, they probably already are immersed in life and raising kids, spending time with grandkids and don't feel the need for this.

[deeDawntee]

Originally Posted by jlsRN

I admire your confidence and ethusiasm, Dee Dee, but I wouldn't write off 20 years of ICU experience so eagerly. And also, they've paid their dues and maybe they don't feel the need to pass this exam since they have so much hands on experience. Also, they probably already are immersed in life and raising kids, spending time with grandkids and don't feel the need for this.

Taking the CCRN exam is my way of becoming MORE confident. I'm doing it to be a better nurse. This thread is intended as a supportive place for others studying for the CCRN exam whether they have one or twenty years of experience. It is also a place for us to talk about the resistance and the issues we have to deal with in preparing for the exam.

[roo-tang]

Originally Posted by deeDawntee

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

i am studying for it! my manager has been on my ass to take it for months, let me know of any ideas you have to increase my liklihood of success, one suggestion i have is look up patty graham, she has a great online course for it through ucsd and is probably the smartest nurse in san diego, she scares Dr."s!

[deeDawntee]

Yaaaaayyyy!!!! That makes 3 of us currently studying for the exam!!! Do you have a date set? I hadn't heard of the website or nurse you are talking about, but I think it is awesome that she scares Doctors!!!

I am studying David Woodruff's materials and he has over a 98% pass rate on the CCRN. I will send you the same personal message that I sent to ElizabethJRN regarding some of the tips I have received. Also, Linda Gasparis Vonfrolio has a highly recommended DVD course that I haven't received yet, but ordered because of all the great feedback there is out there about her course.

I certainly hope that there is even more nurses out there who would like to band together through this process!! Maybe it will inspire a few to get on board and go for it!!

Thanks for responding!!

[ElizabethJRN]

I agree, Linda Gasparis Vonfrolio has some great stuff...I have her book full of multiple choice questions that I am mostly studying from. A co-worker who is CCRN certified said the book questions are harder than the test questions, so as long as I can do the book I think I am alright! Good luck!

[deeDawntee]

I have received Linda Gaspari Vonfronlio's DVD on CCRN review and it is an awesome course!! She has done some amazing stuff in her nursing career, organizing a huge march on Washington DC for nurses, is widely published, has appeared on Nightline and other TV shows speaking out on the issues facing nurses. She is so pro-nurse, she apparently still practices at the bedside (ER and ICU) and does not like nursing administrators!! Her stories are hilarious and educational. She teaches in a way that her points really are retained and she reviews those points so they are reinforced. The woman has a thick New York accent and could be a hit stand up comedian!

David Woodruff's course is good, but in comparison all the accolades for Vonfrolio's course is very well-deserved. Woodruff's course is a lot more expensive. But he does have that guarantee that you will pass. But I have found that his follow-up is lacking and the "support and study groups" he has on his website are dead. I posted a question weeks ago and there has been no response, not even from him. He also emailed me to see how studying was going, and I emailed the same question back to him and there is no response.

So from my perspective and one person's opinion, Vonfrolio's course is definitely the one I would recommend, along with her CCRN book full of review questions and their rationale. That is all you would need.
Her presentation is definitely more complete which gave me a better understanding of the material.

Anyone else out there ready to take the plunge? Jump on board, sign up for the exam!!! We can do it together.

[Burnt2]

I just got my OK to test....i'm planning on taking it mid september before I apply to grad school

I have the gasparas dvds along with the official aacn rewiew dvds (all bummed off of different people).