[neurogeek]

FYI: most of the questions that you will be asked during a clinical interview are straight from the CCRN. So even if you don't take it, it's good to get a study guide and prepare.

[californianurse]

Originally Posted by neurogeek

FYI: most of the questions that you will be asked during a clinical interview are straight from the CCRN. So even if you don't take it, it's good to get a study guide and prepare.

Like usual, I agree with Neurogeek. The schools which have clinically-based interviews pull their questions from the CCRN. And yes, scores do matter. After all, someone who does very well on the CCRN will have an advantage over someone who barely made it. When I interviewed at several schools, they all asked me about the CCRN (like, "I see on your resume that you have your CCRN..." and would leave room for me to comment), and I was happy to tell them my score. I noted they took special interest and wrote down my numbers.

Having the CCRN just may give you the "edge" you need to get in. You just never know who's going to be accepted and who won't. I've heard of many nurses with lots of excellent experience, personal skills, letters of rec, etc, not getting in. The more you can put on your resume (even if you don't need it as a prereq), the better you will look, the more confident you will feel and the more competitive you will be. Plus, it just may help make you an even better nurse, if that's possible.

For me, studying for and taking the CCRN was much more fun and gratifying than the GRE. If anything, it's a great refresher, and your work may even offer you an incentive to have your CCRN. I got $1,000 for being able to write CCRN after my name.

The passing score is 87 out of 125 scored questions. Of note, there are 150 questions you must answer, but only 125 are scored. The "other 25" are used as random analysis of potential questions. I've heard a "good score" is one > 100. However, I don't think that the CCRN scores are weighed nearly as heavily as the GRE.

[shandsburnrn-SRNA]

Barry University does not "require" CCRN, though they say it is preferred....

[mcvcrna]

Having your CCRN definitely works in your favor. However, I have never heard of anyone asking for the score. I would consider it a pass/fail scenario. If someone volunteered their score that was strictly their own decision. Most of the requirements are weighted in varying degrees depending on what school you apply too. Having the CCRN gets you the weight for that particular consideration.

[neurogeek]

Originally Posted by mcvcrna

Having your CCRN definitely works in your favor. However, I have never heard of anyone asking for the score. I would consider it a pass/fail scenario. If someone volunteered their score that was strictly their own decision. Most of the requirements are weighted in varying degrees depending on what school you apply too. Having the CCRN gets you the weight for that particular consideration.

TCU asked for my score.....and I was happy to provide it to them.

[mcvcrna]

Originally Posted by neurogeek

TCU asked for my score.....and I was happy to provide it to them.

I still think that is the exception. Fact is, it might be preferred but by far most schools don't require having a CCRN. So your score, albeit interesting for the person asking, it is not a standard admissions requirement. Anecdotal accounts are exactly that-anecdotal.
Encouraging someone to retake their CCRN because their score might be lower is unnecessary. As an admissions committee member, I always looked for their CCRN, but our committee never asked for scores. More than half the applicants didn't even have their CCRN. Although it makes you more competitive--it is only one piece of a large puzzle.

[lovegasRN]

Thanks everyone for all of your input, I appreciate it. So, I took the test and passed but wasn't thrilled with my score because it was less than 100. According to californianurse, a good score is over 100. Isn't that a bummer that we are so hard on ourselves. When I should of just been happy that I even passed I wasn't because I didn't get a high enough score!! Well just a little update, because I originally asked if you should retake it for a better score. I called AACN and they said just be happy that you passed and that they don't allow you to retake it for security reasons. Another bummer, because one of the schools I want to apply to is TCU. Do you think this will definitely hurt me since they ask for your scores?

[mcvcrna]

Originally Posted by lovegasRN

Thanks everyone for all of your input, I appreciate it. So, I took the test and passed but wasn't thrilled with my score because it was less than 100. According to californianurse, a good score is over 100. Isn't that a bummer that we are so hard on ourselves. When I should of just been happy that I even passed I wasn't because I didn't get a high enough score!! Well just a little update, because I originally asked if you should retake it for a better score. I called AACN and they said just be happy that you passed and that they don't allow you to retake it for security reasons. Another bummer, because one of the schools I want to apply to is TCU. Do you think this will definitely hurt me since they ask for your scores?

If your really concerned and need some information to alleviate your stress--call the program and ask what their position is on the issue of score. My bet is they will say pass/fail and that asking about the score was an aberration. However, if you do make the call--let us know what they say. I would be interested in what they tell you whether I am right or wrong.

[blas311]

I was under the impression that TCU asked for your CCRN scores if you were lacking somewhere else. For example, GRE scores or a not so high gpa. In fact, I know this to be true because I was asked for this reason ( GRE 990). I got 97 questions correct and they said that was very good, they like "around" 100. So hang on to your scores, it could definitely benefit you with TCU.

[mcvcrna]

Originally Posted by blas311

I was under the impression that TCU asked for your CCRN scores if you were lacking somewhere else. For example, GRE scores or a not so high gpa. In fact, I know this to be true because I was asked for this reason ( GRE 990). I got 97 questions correct and they said that was very good, they like "around" 100. So hang on to your scores, it could definitely benefit you with TCU.

That's a good point. Many times the interview process is fluid in motion. We only have a limited amount of time to determine whether you would be a viable candidate to succeed in an extremely rigorous, financially draining, and self sacrificing endeavor. You would be surprised how hard this is. It's not just what is on the paper. I would always go home with a headache.

Your point is taken and many times in an effort to balance an equation the interviewer must rely on other tidbits of information to make a more educated assessment. That is why there are so many factors involved in determining who gets in and who doesn't. I am sure you have heard the line that a GRE score, a standardized test, is not always determinant of academic success. This is true. However, applying a multitude of measurements is an effort to build a pattern of success representative if the applicants probability of success is paramount.