Anyone CCRN?

gasmn2b · Mar 22, 2006

Passed last October on my first try, several years of MICU experience which helped, cardiac was my weakness though.

I suggest a few go in on the AACN computer disk and the Gasparis videos

to help defray the costs

AACN disk with a question bank was very useful, would do upwards of 150 questions at a time to practice, according to Laura Gasparis you should mentally train yourself the week before you sit the exam to be able to handle that many questions at a time. Otherwise you become worn out mentally and begin to miss questions inadvertantly.

Also listened to her tapes one time around and used pass CCRN and the disk provided to study.

Personally, I found Gasparis more entertaining and easier to absorb then Nancy Townsend -- who is very monotone and straight forward.

Best of luck to you

Some employers will pay credential diffs or bonuses for having certification so look into it. Mine paid diffs and reimbursed the cost of the exam/membership (watch out and make sure of the policy for exam/membership or exam only).

ArizonaICU · Mar 22, 2006

I just took and passed the test in June. Whoo-hoo! How did I prepare:
* I took a 2-day review course sponsored by my local chapter of AACN.
* I bought Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's "Cram CCRN" audio tapes (4 tapes) and listened to them religiously!

so do that, and also you might want to go to NTI in Anaheim this year, its a great teaching conference put on by the AACN, with a 2 day CCRN review.

christianRN · Mar 22, 2006

Passed in December on my first try. I bought 4 books (Pass CCRN, AACN books, Tom Ahrens' book), and studied independently for about 8 months on and off. I couldn't believe when I passed - some questions I was certain there was NO good answer for, and some seemed easier than the NCLEX!

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Mar 22, 2006

i have my ccrn. i suggest anything by laura gasparis as well. 'pass ccrn' was ok, but the cd rom had a few errors and the book had SO much in it, it didn't focus on the big item like laura does.

clinical experience helps a lot.

MmacFN · Mar 22, 2006

I let my ccrn lapse about 2 years ago. In retrospect, i wish i haddent.

the test was hard. I have taken only one harder since then which was the CFRN. The best review is to get a book with questions similar to those on the CCRN and do them over and over and over. The more you do them the more you will get better at seeing these types of questions and what they are looking for.'

worked well for me.

nay537 · Mar 22, 2006

I took it last June and missed by 10 questions. I'm going to try again later this year. The first time I went to Laura Gasparis"s 2 day review class (very infomative and entertaining). I watched her DVD religously. I also bought the Pass CCRN book which was very dull and overwhelming. I am going to a 2day reivew that our local AACN chapter is sponsoring in May. This time I'll be more prepared.

manavi · Mar 23, 2006

I studied for the CCRN exam for about two weeks before the test. I used a set of 9 DVD's that had a 3-day CCRN review course that was taped in San Antonio. I took notes while I watched the DVD's. I bought (and later sold) the DVD's on eBay.

If you have a Palm device, I found a nice little program that had a bunch of CCRN questions that you could install to your Palm to study on-the-go. You can find it if you search for it on the Internet.

I also bought a CCRN software program that I downloaded and installed on my desktop that was a series of CCRN questions and answers.

That's all it took. Passed on the first attempt.

In2B8 · Mar 24, 2006

I took my CCRN back in Oct, and didn't find it to be overly difficult. But, I think having it definitely helped me get accepted into a CRNA program.

I work at a level I trauma center, and part of the accreditation program requires the trauma ICU nurses to become CCRNs. So, why I mention this......... is that if you work at a similar facility, your hospital/ unit based educators may have information that you can borrow to study for your CCRN--- meaning you are not spending your own money. I only used the AACN's information, but I had a lot of info. just from working with really sick patients all the time. Good Luck!!!!

tealuvr · Mar 24, 2006

I took the test back in August and passed the first time. I thought it was challenging. I began preparing about 8 months before taking the test (heck it takes 6 weeks to get paperwork processed). I took a 2-day review course and used the PASS CCRN. Study cardio, resp and multi system thoroughly. Be comfortable with the other systems. You have plenty of time to answer all the questions. Some questions are rotate knowledge, most are clinical application. Use the CDRom from the Pass CCRN to get a feel of type of questions and learn to differentiate answers, but agree that there are errors on it. Good Luck!

LBH32C · Mar 31, 2006

this may be a dumb question but what is CCRN and what is the advantage of having taken it?

bj76302 · Mar 31, 2006

Go to amazon.com and purchase the "critical care exam review" book. I also borrowed some of Laura Gasparis review tapes. The test isnt that bad. And actually i found a few questions taken DIRECTLY from the above book. Some of the ethical questions i thought were the toughest.

One question i have: WIll you be compensated by your employer? Want it for personal satisfaction? Remember you have to have 100 CERP's every 3 years and 25 of those CERP's need to be Category A. I would refer to the AACN website and do a little research prior to taking the test - just so that your aware of the requirements.

I am not against the CCRN.. But i think it's important to have a plan in mind before you take it. I took mine to apply for anesthesia school.

I'll be attending in August 2006 :)

nan1993 · Apr 2, 2006

I took the test about 3 years ago, and passed. A very hard test. I studied about a year, using Laura Gasparis cassettes, review courses, and "pass ccrn". I have some Nancy Townsend also. Study all the time. Good luck!