What should I study for CCRN?

fedupnurse · Aug 4, 2002

I'd work there for at least a year. I don't know if they still require x number of hours prior to taking the exam. I love the book PASS CCRN! It has a ton of practice segments and comes with a disc so you can tests yourself on the computer. It doesn't lull me to sleep like the Core Ciriculum did!! My method for studying is to do as many practice exams as I can. Anything you get wrong or guess at (even if you get it right) look up the rationale for the correct answer. Good books have them in the back.

AACN has a sample test. I'd definetly do that shortly before you take the exam.

Keep in mind: A lot of smart people fail and a lot of stupid people pass! It is a very hard test. Once you pass keep up those CEU's so you never have to take it again!!!

Good luck!!

mattsmom81 · Aug 5, 2002

Go to every seminar you can find for a year or so and put it all in practice. Then buy Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's tapes on 'CCRN Pearls'...it helps ground you to basic concepts so your head is on straight for the exam.

It was the toughest test I've ever taken, but I passed the first time...while several of my more experienced coworkers freaked out and failed....test anxiety. So...learn first, then do a good review like LGV...good luck!!

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2002

Definitely recommend Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's stuff, and she is a hoot too.

I read the AACN Clinical Reference Guide from cover to cover (17 years ago) It took me 6 months to do. Two days before the exam, I went to Laura G-V's CCRN Cram Review in NY, it was great!!! I aced it. Good luck!

Jenny P · Aug 5, 2002

I first became a CCRN back in 1978, when we had to do 150 CE's /2yrs to renew. I had a baby and we moved in that 1st renewal period, so I didn't renew then. I took the test next in '83 I think, and decided to retest each time after that up until 1996 (there was a couple of years when I let it lapse for a year or so due to personal reasons).

The last time I took the test to renew ('96); it seemed so much tougher than before (but maybe I'm just older?); so since then I've renewed by CE's.

You need to work something like 450-500 hours in ICU in the past year before you can take the test. My suggestion to people interested in taking the exam is to work at least a year in ICU first; then really study your physiology and pharmacology so you have a good handle on those 2 areas. After that, any of the above books would do, even the Core Curriculum has lots of good info in it.

mattsmom81 · Aug 5, 2002

Aren't ICU nurses great? And to think...we actually AGREE on most things!!! LOL!

And LGV IS a hoot...plus smart as a whip...I just love her...I swear I'm gonna go on one of her education cruises one of these years!!

Wanna come with Hoolahan, Jenny, Midwest and Fedupnurse? We'd have a ball!! :)

:roll

hoolahan, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2002

I would love to mattsmom!! That would be a blast!! I would like to go on her empowerment cruise!!

mattsmom81 · Aug 5, 2002

We should make plans to do that and invite the Allnurses family! I think we've missed this years empowerment cruise...but I'lll hollar at ya when I get the next brochure in the mail...you do the same, OK?? I don't have much money, but if a few of us can go, I'll start saving now cuz it would be worth it! :)

It really would be fun to go cruisin' with a group of nurses!

And I think it's like 30 CEU's towards our CCRN too isn't it..so can't beat that! :)

midwestRN · Aug 5, 2002

Thanks for all the info. An education cruise sounds really nice. Please let me know if you get an more news on one. I took the CEN 2 years ago and thought it was tough, but by talking to ICU nurses, this sounds tougher.

Dr. Kate, BSN, RN · Aug 5, 2002

You might also want to look up the local AACN chapter. They may have classes available. If nothing else, you can get involved with critical care nursing and nurses who like yourself are interested in doing and being more. In my area there are a couple of people known for the quality of their CCRN review courses. There may be people like that in your area. Is there someone in your unit who can mentor you as you grow into the role of critical care nurse and eventually CCRN?

Read, read, read, ask questions, engage the docs in discussion of diseases, therapies and outcomes. Talk to other nurses about the same things as well as nursing approaches.

CCRN since 1980.

fedupnurse · Aug 5, 2002

The only problem I have with LGV's tapes is that I start talking with a Staten Island accent after I listen to them! I just went to a seminar in March and she is totally hysterical! I told her that she is my idol. I said if all of us were like her there would be great working conditions and great pay. You will laugh your butt off and learn!!! If you are interested in buying the tapes call 718-967-2961. It is Education Enterprises. Or try http://www.greatnurses.com. Worth every penny!!