CCRN with tele experience?

Specialties MICU

Published

Hi! I've read a bunch of threads regarding CCRN examination but I still haven't found my answer yet.

I have tele experience only and I'd like to know if I'd be able to pass CCRN without ICU experience.

AACN's eligibility criterias sound somewhat vague to me as well. I know taking PCCN is more appropriate for me at this point but if I am eligible to take CCRN without ICU experience, I'd definitely take CCRN, not PCCN. Maybe this is a question that I need to direct to AACN... :uhoh3:

Has anyone without ICU experience taken CCRN exam?

Sweetie, forget the hype. You can take CCRN but why do it? I was a step-down nurse, now ICU, and I could have taken CCRN but didn't because back then I have not personally used vents, balloon pumps etc. You need EKG interpretation for PCCN by the way. It is also a difficult test and a lot of people fail it too. But if your plan is to go to ICU and impress your next boss, take it. I've heard of people passing it wihout working in the ICU. It is not a better test like someone here said. ICU nurses are not better than you.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

I passed the CCRN on my first attempt. I've only worked the ER, at level 1 trauma center for 7 years now. I passed it a month after passing the CEN. I only studied for the CEN and reviewed a few concepts for CCRN. Honestly the CEN was harder. CCRN the questions were straight forward, either you know the content or you don't. And honestly, half the pts we send to tele here, would be step-down without a doubt at other places. You can do it. Although, we do sit on ICU patients a lot..... Sometimes an entire shift. So Im comfortable with vents and drip titrations, while having 3 other patients. Good luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac/Transplant ICU, Critical Care.

I used to work on a CVT Stepdown for a year-ish before switching to The Cardiac/Transplant ICU. Would it have been possible for me to pass with only the Stepdown experience and if I had studied the CCRN content without the actual ICU experience? Absolutely not.

For the CCRN, you really have to draw from your hands on experiences when answering a lot of the questions, and without that experience the chances of you passing is very low. That is not just for you personally, but for everyone in a similar situation. I feel that you sitting for the CCRN with your current experience isn't worth your time. I've seen some really good and experienced ICU nurses not pass the first time around, I'm talking about nurses that I would want to take care of me if I had surgery on one of our services. I'm not trying to discourage you by any means, I just want to give you my honest perspective so that you can make an informed decision.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac/Transplant ICU, Critical Care.
Sweetie, forget the hype. You can take CCRN but why do it? I was a step-down nurse, now ICU, and I could have taken CCRN but didn't because back then I have not personally used vents, balloon pumps etc. You need EKG interpretation for PCCN by the way. It is also a difficult test and a lot of people fail it too. But if your plan is to go to ICU and impress your next boss, take it. I've heard of people passing it wihout working in the ICU. It is not a better test like someone here said. ICU nurses are not better than you.

I respectfully disagree. If I had two candidates applying for the same position and was solely hiring them on what was on paper and they had the same number of years of experience, came from similar hospital systems, and both had unit experience, but the only difference was one of them had a PCCN versus a CCRN, I would give preference to the CCRN certified candidate.

I would do this because I would know that the CCRN individual can critically think to a certain level above a non-certified ICU RN and can hold them to a higher standard because of it. Does it mean that they are a better critical thinker or are a better nurse? Not necessarily, but I can, at the very least, hold them to a higher standard because of the certification that they earned.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care.

Do not do it. You will not pass. A significant portion of the test is on hemodynamics and swan calcs. How many swans do you get in step down? Additionally, the test is designed for critical care, not progressive care. If CCRN was the best test for everyone to take, there wouldn't be one specifically for step down. Lastly, a certification is meaningless without experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I respectfully disagree. If I had two candidates applying for the same position and was solely hiring them on what was on paper and they had the same number of years of experience, came from similar hospital systems, and both had unit experience, but the only difference was one of them had a PCCN versus a CCRN, I would give preference to the CCRN certified candidate.

I would do this because I would know that the CCRN individual can critically think to a certain level above a non-certified ICU RN and can hold them to a higher standard because of it. Does it mean that they are a better critical thinker or are a better nurse? Not necessarily, but I can, at the very least, hold them to a higher standard because of the certification that they earned.

CCRN is not a higher standard test. You have to be eligible to take the test and the person taking the PCCN may not have any ICU experience so they did not take it. Any certification is hard. You are an ICU nurse so I think you have a bias in your thinking. Any nurse with a certification is commendable because it takes hard work to pass one and they all require critical thinking.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I have worked PCU and tele for almost 6 years now, and in my experience there seems to be more "prestige" attached to the CCRN than PCCN. I don't believe it as a fact, but that is the impression I get from hiring nurses. It is akin to two MBAs (one from Harvard and one from State U) going for the same job. The Harvard MBA is more than likely going to get the interview solely on the name. That is unfortunate, but that is how society is. I come from another industry in which where you went to school matters quite greatly, and unfortunately I did not know that until after I graduated. So right now the CCRN seems to be the equivalent in nursing.

Although I have the experience to take and pass the PCCN, I will not take it because I feel that will pigeonhole me into that specialty and it will be harder for me to get into ICU, where I would definitely pursue CCRN. This may not be totally true, but is just based on what I have seen in the industry personally. I have aspirations of climbing the leadership ladder, but I don't want to do it before getting CCRN.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Good for you! you should always take on a challenge! Can you get a job in an ICU so that you have some of the necessary knowledge to pass the CCRN? that would be best.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My question is....

Why would you want to take the CCRN if you're a tele nurse?? The tele nurses at my job aren't even ACLS certified.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment