CCRN help!

Specialties MICU

Published

Specializes in MICU.

My manager is requiring us to get our CCRN by November or our jobs will be posted. I have been studying for a while, and doing pretty bad! I never had trouble like this in nursing school. I'm getting 60-70% on practice tests. I have read/skimmed one book of info and have done tons of practice questions without improvement. I'm more of a visual/hands on learner so I don't think listening to CDs or podcasts will be of much benefit.

I've only been a nurse for two years in MICU and have never had a pt with a swan. I feel like cardiac and pulmonary are my two worst areas on the test and those are the most frequent questions, even though I don't really struggle with taking care of those types of pts.

Any suggestions? Thanks for reading!

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Specializes in ICU.

Even though you think DVDs wouldn't help you, I would still recommend the Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio review DVDs. She puts things in terms that are easy to understand and remember and she truly teaches to the test.

My MICU doesn't ever really have PA catheters either, but those are things she will teach you in the review course and they're not as tough to learn as you might think.

I scheduled my test for about a month away and watched the DVDs a couple of times and did the Pass CCRN practice questions. I also made some flash cards because that's what works best for me.

You can do it! The test is actually not as bad as you might think.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

CCRN is cardiac heavy....if you don't know swans it will be tough......Please get Laura Gasparis Great Nurses - Products her reviews are worth every penny.

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You're manager is a kind of a jerk... sorry to hear that. Make sure you take practice tests to get yourself used to the amount of questions on the test and prevent brain fatigue (Laura Gasparis). Focus on cardiac. Laura Gasparis is what I used. Also, the AACN Core Cirriculum book is good. Gasparis is funny and makes learning some of the tougher concepts easy. Also, I only used a PA catheter once before I took the CCRN exam. It isn't necessary to have used one just know the numbers and how they change with different types of shock etc. And remember be positive and do questions everyday even if it only ten. I have no doubt you will pass. If you are worried about SGC talk to one of the nurses in CTICU or SICU to explain it in person. It may help if you are a hands on learner. Best of luck!

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Specializes in MICU.

Thanks everyone! I think I'm going to find those DVDs. And yes, my boss is kind of a jerk

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Specializes in ER trauma, ICU - trauma, neuro surgical.

Laura Gasparis also has an awesome questions book (I think over 1000 ques.) and a reference guide (pearls).

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