[~FloridaCCRN~]

I have scheduled my test date for May 12th! I'm ready to get this done.
I have been studying and consistently scoring in 80's% on practice exams, but I'm still nervous (and excited too)!
My plan is to continue reviewing cardiac, pulmonary and take more practice tests. I will watch Gasparis dvd's (I've been mostly listening to her CD's) and review pacep.org one more time.

[deeDawntee]

Originally Posted by graduate_2002

I have scheduled my test date for May 12th! I'm ready to get this done.
I have been studying and consistently scoring in 80's% on practice exams, but I'm still nervous (and excited too)!
My plan is to continue reviewing cardiac, pulmonary and take more practice tests. I will watch Gasparis dvd's (I've been mostly listening to her CD's) and review pacep.org one more time.

Whooo Hoooo!! You are definitely ready, my friend and your plan sounds perfect. I know you don't believe me but YOU ARE GOING TO PASS!! Stay relaxed and visualize yourself doing great, because you certainly will!!
Keep us updated as the day approaches, so we can send you well wishes etc!!

[~FloridaCCRN~]

Originally Posted by deeDawntee

Whooo Hoooo!! You are definitely ready, my friend and your plan sounds perfect. I know you don't believe me but YOU ARE GOING TO PASS!! Stay relaxed and visualize yourself doing great, because you certainly will!!
Keep us updated as the day approaches, so we can send you well wishes etc!!

Thanks for the well wishes! I will definitely keep you updated. This thread rocks!

[~FloridaCCRN~]

I'm soo upset! I was just about to take a practice exam and I discover that my CD is BROKEN in half!!!!!!! I don't know how it happened, it was fine the other day. I just purchased the book about 2 months ago strictly for that CD.
I have the older edition of PASS CCRN (2nd), but I love the 3rd because it has better features and more questions. Oh well, it will just have to do- It's getting down to crunch time now.
Just had to vent......off to study.

[nurse-lou]

Originally Posted by graduate_2002

I'm soo upset! I was just about to take a practice exam and I discover that my CD is BROKEN in half!!!!!!! I don't know how it happened, it was fine the other day. I just purchased the book about 2 months ago strictly for that CD.
I have the older edition of PASS CCRN (2nd), but I love the 3rd because it has better features and more questions. Oh well, it will just have to do- It's getting down to crunch time now.
Just had to vent......off to study.

Good luck and don't forget to wear red! I saw Laura Gasparis-Vonfrolio in person back in 2005 in Pittsburgh PA and that was one of her tips, to wear red (or yellow) on the day of the exam because the color red helps the synapses in your brain fire faster...........I wore red and I passed! You will too!

[deeDawntee]

Originally Posted by graduate_2002

I'm soo upset! I was just about to take a practice exam and I discover that my CD is BROKEN in half!!!!!!! I don't know how it happened, it was fine the other day. I just purchased the book about 2 months ago strictly for that CD.
I have the older edition of PASS CCRN (2nd), but I love the 3rd because it has better features and more questions. Oh well, it will just have to do- It's getting down to crunch time now.
Just had to vent......off to study.

I would contact the place where you purchased the book and see if you can get a replacement for the CD. It couldn't hurt. If you can't get anywhere that way, contact the publisher, I would bet that they would be helpful. I am sorry that happened! Unfortunately, I have not found a way to make myself a backup CD (for my own use, of course) where most of the time one can do that.... good luck!

[CandyGyrl]

Wow I've really enjoyed reading the posts in this thread. I am not even in nursing school yet {starts May 5th} but I'd love to work in ICU and I'm trying to figure out everything that I could do even now to prepare myself to be an excellent nurse in that unit.

I don't know if the books and CD's can help me right now... maybe I should wait until I'm finished with my pgm. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do now to not only prepare for the exam {which I know now} but how I could prepare to go on a unit like ICU as a new nurse and have a better grasp?

Was there anything that you all wished someone would've told you or resources you wished you knew about? Do tell? {Note to self... start a new thread concerning this same issue.}

[~FloridaCCRN~]

I borrowed the disk from a co-worker and took another practice exam. I got 129/150- 86%!

Cardio- 36 out of 47
Pulmonary- 20 out of 26
GI- 4 out of 6
Neuro- 5 out of 5
Renal- 8 out of 8
Endocrine- 9 out of 9
Hematology/Immunology- 7 out of 8
Multisystem- 12 out of 12
Prof. Caring & Ethical Practice- 28 out of 29

I pray I do as well (or better) on the real deal! Test day is only 2 weeks away now.
I think I'll feel ready after I review pacep & Gasparis one more time before test date.

[incublissRN]

Cardio: 42/47
Pulm: 24/26
GI: 6/6
Neuro: 5/5
Renal: 5/8
Endocrine: 8/9
Heme: 6/8
Multisystem: 12/12
Prof. Caring: 23/29
131/150 = 87%

I was getting about 78% on my practice tests but I reviewed the material I kept getting wrong and this test was better. I'm starting to memorize the answers though. What percentage do I need to pass the test?

[deeDawntee]

Originally Posted by CandyGyrl

Wow I've really enjoyed reading the posts in this thread. I am not even in nursing school yet {starts May 5th} but I'd love to work in ICU and I'm trying to figure out everything that I could do even now to prepare myself to be an excellent nurse in that unit.

I don't know if the books and CD's can help me right now... maybe I should wait until I'm finished with my pgm. Does anyone have any suggestions on what I could do now to not only prepare for the exam {which I know now} but how I could prepare to go on a unit like ICU as a new nurse and have a better grasp?

Was there anything that you all wished someone would've told you or resources you wished you knew about? Do tell? {Note to self... start a new thread concerning this same issue.}

I can only speak for myself, obviously, but I wish someone had said, listen, if you know that you want to end up in the ICU, then GO FOR IT! You don't have to wait until you have years of experience before you can be successful in the ICU. (It IS a tough row to hoe for a new grad, but it CAN be done, however that is another matter...) If you know in your heart that is where you want to be, then don't let anyone dissuade you are even give you that sideways look...don't even tell anyone you think will not support your dream. I have seen new grads make it in the ICU and it is doable. As far as resources, I wish I had known about Allnurses.com, that is the best place to find advice and encouragement that I can think of....You can ask any question, and many others will be able to tell you what you need to know.

Please keep us informed! I am not going to leave this thread and will be here when you are ready to be a CCRN!! You can do it! Keep your eyes on the prize!!