[deeDawntee]

Alll Right!!!!! YYYaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!
You are the 4th person on this thread who is preparing for the CCRN. How is it going for you? How are the AACN DVDs? Are they as 'dry' as the seem that they would be? I think the Vonfrolio DVDs are amazing. She is having a seminar in MN in October that I definitely want to go to, I think she is an awesome speaker. I love her irreverence for administration, and Doctors!!!

I also have David Woodruffs course which is good.

I will send a personal message to you with the tips I have learned if you would like.

Happy studying!!

[Burnt2]

haha yea I really like the gasparas DVDs - they're really entertaining; and yes the AACN ones are a snoozefest, but I'm going to power through them a couple times.

I'm a relatively new grad; I graduated May '05 and went straight to CCU....so it's going to be a challenge, but I think if I study hard enough I should do ok


I would love you to send me the tips! I'll take all the advice I can get!


When are you planning to test?

[deeDawntee]

Hey!
I sent you the personal message regarding the tips I have gotten about the CCRN.
I haven't received my postcard from the testing people to schedule my exam, but would like to take it the end of August or beginning of September because I am planning to take a stats class in the fall if I can get in. I am working towards an accelerated BSN to MSN program, getting the prereqs out of the way.
That is so awesome that you went right into critical care!! I worked myself into it slooooowwwwllllyyyyy. hehe

So glad that you are on board!!! Are you at work or are you just a night owl (or both??!!) I am at work right now, myself, having a very good night.

[EmerNurse]

I'm planning on sending in my fee to take the test today - I hope to sit the exam in September. I sat (and passed) my CEN last October, and used primarily the Gasparis videos/tapes - I think she's wonderful! I have her CCRN stuff as well and much of it overlaps the CEN, so it'll be a good review. I work ER but have at least 2-3 ICU patients per each night I work, so the CCRN will be very applicable to me as well.

I'd encourage everyone to get certified when they can. The boost in confidence is amazing, and it's great on your resume, too. With the cert, you always feel like you have options - an open door to a new position if you really are in a tough spot, and that makes the tough spots easier to get through.

I've ordered Woodruff's stuff, based on the opinions I've seen here. I'd like more info on Patty Graham, if someone can provide a website?

Any tips for taking CCRN would be great - and I'll be happy to post anything new that I learn. No one at my work is interested in getting certified (I'm the only CEN in my ER), so I'd love to have one online buddies to study with!

[deeDawntee]

And then there were 5.......!!!!!!

YYYYAAAAAAYYYYYY that is so awesome that you are taking the exam in September, that is approximately when all 5 of us will be testing. Congratulations on already having your CEN!! Are you sure your badge will hold all your initials??!!! hehe I love Vonfrolio's material, I just received her DVD's last Friday and she makes the material so interesting and engaging that it is fun to study.

Is that your baby on your Avatar?? Talk about cute!!!

I will send you a personal message with the tips I have received. No big surprises really.

Take care, happy studying!!

[deeDawntee]

I found info about Patty Graham's course. It is taught through UC San Diego's extension program (extension.ucsd.edu). It apparently is an online course which actually starts today 7/5-9/14. It costs $395. Her credentials are impressive.

[EmerNurse]

Originally Posted by deeDawntee

And then there were 5.......!!!!!!

YYYYAAAAAAYYYYYY that is so awesome that you are taking the exam in September, that is approximately when all 5 of us will be testing. Congratulations on already having your CEN!! Are you sure your badge will hold all your initials??!!! hehe I love Vonfrolio's material, I just received her DVD's last Friday and she makes the material so interesting and engaging that it is fun to study.

Is that your baby on your Avatar?? Talk about cute!!!

I will send you a personal message with the tips I have received. No big surprises really.

Take care, happy studying!!

The Avatar is my Grandson, Dane, who is now 5 1/2 months old - he's my ANGEL!!!

I just registered for a VonFrolio Acute Skills 2-day seminar in Key West for September - I'm so excited!!

[ElizabethJRN]

Originally Posted by Burnt2

I'm a relatively new grad; I graduated May '05 and went straight to CCU....so it's going to be a challenge, but I think if I study hard enough I should do ok

Hey, I graduated Dec 05 and went straight to MICU! Glad to hear there are more of us taking this!

Oh, and about the credentials, they won't put CCRN on our name badges anymore! I guess because some family member found out what they stand for and one time requested only CCRN RNs for their family member (or so I'm told) ???!

And too bad Vonfrolio isn't coming here to MN earlier, I have to take mine by Oct. 2nd!

Good to hear there are more studying! Yah!

[deeDawntee]

Hey everybody! How is the studying going? Today I am feeling a little overwhelmed. Just received my information to pick a date, I need to test before 10/10. Does anyone have their date set? Are you going to take some days off beforehand? I'm thinking at least a couple of days? I just finished viewing Vonfrolio's DVD's on the heart and lungs, man she flies through that content!!! My head is spinning. I need to just step and breath a little. Hope studying is going well for all.

my spinning head!!

[Burnt2]

I'm taking it 9/24 - I haven't had much time to study though since i'm also prepping for the GRE (9/18), and applying to 5 different universitys for grad school. ick.

I'm at work right now.....I'm floating to the ER tonight (I work in CCU)....all those angry families who've waited for hours.......man I love my locked ICU doors.