Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

Specialties CCU

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  1. I have or would like to get my CCRN certification: (you may select more than one)

    • 851
      Yes
    • 17
      No
    • 365
      If yes: I get some kind of financial reward or incentive to achieve and maintain certification.
    • 331
      If yes: There is no financial reward or incentive at my institution for CCRN certification.
    • 360
      If yes: I have or can have CCRN on my name badge or there is other forms of acknowledgement.
    • 291
      If yes: I find the certification has empowered my practice and would encourage others to pursue it.
    • 13
      If yes: It really hasn't been worth the work and I would discourage others from pursuing it.
    • 5
      If no: I don't have the certification and feel no need or have had negative experiences.
    • 53
      If no: I would like to pursue it, but have had difficulty getting motivated.
    • 12
      I am undecided.

379 members have participated

Is there anyone else out there who is currently studying for the CCRN exam and would like to start a thread as perhaps a study and support group? I have just applied for the exam and have not yet set a date, but about in 3 months is when I will be taking it. I would love to be in communication with others in the same boat! I hope there is at least one other nurse out there! Thanks!

deeDawntee

Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Also, 25 of the questions will not be graded, according to Dr Laura, these are impossible to answer!! you could be in the middle of a medical library and not be able to find the answer! Apparently these are mostly hemodynamic questions and appear on the first part of the test. Her advice is not to freak out when you seem to be missing a lot of questions at first, that is expected. Personally I think they want to see if one can handle stress or not. 25 is a lot of unanswerable questions!! So don't freak out for the first part of the test if you think you are failing, you won't be!!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

As far as Dr Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's DVD course, of course you can pass without them. I'm sure any CCRN review class will give you what you need. Each program will give a different slant on the information. Personally, I really enjoy her humor, she offers stories from her vast experience that really help solidfy knowledge. But you could do fine with the information you have, I am sure.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I will say I am not getting more than 60-65% on the Pass CCRN questions after the first round. I am doing nothing but Pass CCRN questions between now and 7/25! (And reading rationales):monkeydance:

Hi Hooz!!

I hear that Dennison's questions are generally harder than the CCRN, if that helps. What time on Wednesday do you take the exam?

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Specializes in MICU, CCRN.
Also, 25 of the questions will not be graded, according to Dr Laura, these are impossible to answer!! you could be in the middle of a medical library and not be able to find the answer!

Ahh! Why do they do this? So unfair;)

I really am trying to study guys, but it's been SO NICE outside, I just would rather be by the lake:uhoh3:

Good luck to everyone else though...I'm slowly getting there...ha.

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.
They are a set of 6 DVDs and I think 14 hours worth. The neuro section is not a huge portion of the test, cardiac and hemodynamics are at 36% of the test. 20% of the test is just professionalism/ethics. That part is not included in the DVDs - but they are common sense questions that almost any RN can answer. I think you could do without the DVDs if you are strong on cardiac.

I will let you all know more when I take the test on 7/25 :uhoh3:

Say, does anyone know what percent of questions you have to have to pass the test? I know there is 150 questions on it. Anyone? I will say I am not getting more than 60-65% on the Pass CCRN questions after the first round. I am doing nothing but Pass CCRN questions between now and 7/25! (And reading rationales):monkeydance:

:smiley_aa Good Luck!!!!!!!

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Specializes in LPN school.

Good luck! We're all with you!

Do those practice questions like your life depends on it!

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I am looking for PDA software with CCRN type questions/answers. I first read about it on some website posted by someone who used that software to study for the exam (and ultimately passed) and now can't find the information anywhere! I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who can give me more specifics about any CCRN test prep software that is available.

thanks

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Specializes in ICU of all kinds, CVICU, Cath Lab, ER..

I remember very well how long and how hard I studied for my CCRN. I consider it an important "badge" - it isn't "just a certification"; the CCRN behind your name indicates to your patients and your coworkers that:

You know what you are doing when you do something to or

for the patient; i.e., when you do a cardiac output on a fresh post-

op CABG patient, you know what the injectate's calculations

reflect.

You understand why the sequence of events in your patient's

care happen the way they do; you understand the workings of

the different systems within the human body and the consequences

of different treatments.

I am proud of my CCRN; I studied long and hard for it - that made me a better RN for all the hard work (not better than someone who is not a CCRN, just better educated from a personal reflection).

As I have gotten older in my practice, I find my CEU requirement for recertification forces me to work on my knowledge base; I tend to get lazy in my own way - I actually look forward to my CEU's.

And, like it or not, my CCRN puts the physicians I work with on notice that I am the kind of RN who works hard to keep up with what's new in medicine; I am interested in keeping up with the new "treatment modalities"; I can be trusted to know what I am doing. Many of the physicians at my hospital participate in our monthly AACN meetings as lecturers and are familiar with us as a result.

The monetary reward (I actually figured out the cost versus the increase in pay) is WORTH it...

I used Gasparas/Vonfrillo's cassettes (that's how old) and I used every and any practice test I could get my hands on.... I didn't memorize, I analyzed and that made the difference for me!

Good luck!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I am looking for PDA software with CCRN type questions/answers. I first read about it on some website posted by someone who used that software to study for the exam (and ultimately passed) and now can't find the information anywhere! I'd appreciate hearing from anyone who can give me more specifics about any CCRN test prep software that is available.

thanks

Hello! Check out this link, this is the only PDA software I know of, but that doesn't mean there isn't more out there.

http://aacn.pdaorder.com/pdaorder/-/606168625352/item?oec-catalog-item-id=1343

This is from the AACN itself, however there are quite a few errors in the software, as you will see, if you purchase it.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I remember very well how long and how hard I studied for my CCRN. I consider it an important "badge" - it isn't "just a certification"; the CCRN behind your name indicates to your patients and your coworkers that:

You know what you are doing when you do something to or

for the patient; i.e., when you do a cardiac output on a fresh post-

op CABG patient, you know what the injectate's calculations

reflect.

You understand why the sequence of events in your patient's

care happen the way they do; you understand the workings of

the different systems within the human body and the consequences

of different treatments.

I am proud of my CCRN; I studied long and hard for it - that made me a better RN for all the hard work (not better than someone who is not a CCRN, just better educated from a personal reflection).

As I have gotten older in my practice, I find my CEU requirement for recertification forces me to work on my knowledge base; I tend to get lazy in my own way - I actually look forward to my CEU's.

And, like it or not, my CCRN puts the physicians I work with on notice that I am the kind of RN who works hard to keep up with what's new in medicine; I am interested in keeping up with the new "treatment modalities"; I can be trusted to know what I am doing. Many of the physicians at my hospital participate in our monthly AACN meetings as lecturers and are familiar with us as a result.

The monetary reward (I actually figured out the cost versus the increase in pay) is WORTH it...

I used Gasparas/Vonfrillo's cassettes (that's how old) and I used every and any practice test I could get my hands on.... I didn't memorize, I analyzed and that made the difference for me!

Good luck!

Thank you so much for the reminder of why this is so important. I would love for more CCRN certified nurses to post on this thread because it helps with the motivation. Tell me about your monthly AACN meetings, is that for the nurses who belong to the AACN? What is your agenda? Does AACN participate in any way? I am asking as something like that might be useful at my hospital.

Thanks again for the post!! I would love it, if you would keep contributing now and then!!

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.
Hi Hooz!!

I hear that Dennison's questions are generally harder than the CCRN, if that helps. What time on Wednesday do you take the exam?

I have doubts whether a hospitalist could pass this test without studying ;) I think maybe even a cardiologist couldn't pass it with no study.:uhoh3:

I am doing much better with my Pass CCRN questions. I have every body system to an 80% or more, with the exception of cardiac and multi-system which I will work on full time tomorrow. Multi-system (different shock states), won't be much of a problem. I love shock patients. Cardiac will be most of my day. My best system is hematological/immunology.....if that was a large percent of the test I would feel warm and fuzzy.

My test is either at 1:00 or 1:30, (I forget) PST. I will be full of glucose and caffeine (noticed in nursing school this combo could boost my test percentages by about 5%). Since I work nights, either time offered (9 Am or 1:00 PM) is not really in my prime time. That is a distinct disadvantage for us night-shifters. I have been on vacation since 7/3 though and am on a modified day shift schedule! I force myself to sleep before 2:30 AM, sleep about 6 hours, then take a nap around 5-6 PM. Probably more info than you ever wanted to know!

I will be sure to post on Wednesday after the big test. I am a good test taker and am sort of looking forward to the experience. If I fail, it still was a good learning experience and I will just take it again when I feel ready.

Thanks for all your support!

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Specializes in LPN school.

Sounds like I"m going to have to pick up the Pass CCRN CD.........are they computer tests that grade you?

how many are there?

hows it work?

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