Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

Specialties CCU

Published

  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

Hi guys,

I am soo happy you guys started this thread I haven't been on for awhile. I have been in the SICU for a total of 7 months and I am about to be off of orientation pretty soon ( I had a baby in between) actually this week to be precise, is my last week on orientation. I have found that I can not retain the stuff that I don't see everyday even little things like Dobutamine and finding that I have to constantly look up stuff that I should already know, I think my hormones are messed up from the baby... LOL!

Anyway I have read most of this thread and I feel like I want to take the exam and probably shoot for June of next year? Do you guys think it's too early?

I also want you guys to point me in the right direction in terms of really learning this material and which material helps for both practice and testing, I don't want to just memorize, I am usually good at studying for a test but what good is it if I can't put it into to practice? That is why I am giving myself alot of time. We do see alot in our ICU, swanz, Xigris, CVVHD, you name it I have seen it and I want to take advantage of it.

I am so happy you guys started this thread! Thanks for all replies.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Hey Nursing 101 !!

So glad that you found the thread!! This thread has been quiet the last week or so. I think you have found the right group of people: Really nice people, who really want to empower their practice by studying for this exam.

I will give you my input into what I think has been the most helpful in studying for the test. I LOVE Dr Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's DVD course on the CCRN. Check out her website at greatnurses.com. ($150)People also find it on ebay occasionally. She also has a review book that consists of all questions and their rationales, the best price is on Amazon.com for about $19. Also, the Robin Donohoe Dennison CCRN review is a very good resource to have. What is really useful is the disc of questions that come with the book. I was told NOT to use the book for studying because it contains way more information then one needs for the exam, but to use it as a resource for areas you may not understand. It is also something you would find useful in your library ongoingly as a good resource.

This process has been extremely empowering for me personally. I have been an ICU nurse for about 1 year and it has helped SOOOO much to build my confidence and to reinforce knowledge from the ICU course I took. That you already are thinking about it is SUCH a smart idea! I am planning on keeping this thread going and be involved with people as they take the exam. I think it is a blast, to tell you the truth. But people come in and out of being involved here. I really don't want the thread to die....but I don't think I can do it alone!!!!! hehehe I hope you get more responses about what is helping other people in their studying, although I think we are all basically on the same page and share cool stuff as we come upon it.

I like that we also can share interesting patients, it helps solidify knowledge. And I think we are also here to support each other in general as well. Hopefully that is not too much to ask of one little thread!!!!

So WELCOME to our little cadre of nurses on this quest for more knowledge and competency in dealing with our patients, coworkers and Docs!!!!

:groupwelcome:

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Specializes in LPN school.

I just finished a 5 day week, bleh....i haven't got much studying done.........it's time to get motivated!!!!

Welcome, nursing 101!!!!!

I second what dawn says,,,, gasparis dvds are awesome

apparently, most of us have less than three years xp in ICU, so we're all kind of in the same boat

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Thanks for the welcome you guys... I will be on for awhile because I wont be taking my exam anytime soon but I will be getting all the materials a.s.a.p. so I can start.

It's intersting to share our patients. That way people that don't get a chance to experince them will through us.

Good day you guys! Baby is calling...lol!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Baby?

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Baby?

Yeah! I just had a baby in January! Name is Zavier...

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
Yeah! I just had a baby in January! Name is Zavier...

That is awesome!! You are being fruitful in many areas of your life!!

I can't wait to hear your reaction to the Vonfrolio DVD's!! I swear she has become my new nursing hero.

Catch you on the thread!!

:lol2::lol2::lol2:

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I am planning on going to a seminar that Linda Gasparis Vonfrolio will be conducting in Northern California this September. So far, I haven't gotten any material, but plan to buy the Vonfrolio DVD and book. I am interested in the David Woodruff material too. I am really looking forward to getting started on studying for my CCRN! I have been in the CICU for about 3 years now. This is great to have some other feedback on others interested and that have already taken and passed the test! Thanks!:up:

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Hey Shasta!!!!! Yaaaayyyyyyy!!!!!

Great to have you on board!!! Welcome to our little group!!

It has been such an empowering experience, just preparing for this test!!

It sounds like you have in mind some great resources for your studying. I am so jealous that you will get to see Dr Laura in person for CCRN prep. She is coming to MN as well, but not for CCRN.

So glad you found us!!!! I just got home from three 12 hour night shifts in a row!!! Need sleep!!

:groupwelcome:

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

hi all future ccrners!!

how is everyone doing?

could everyone check in in the next couple of days? how is studying going? any experiences with patients you would like to share?

any dates set for the exam?

i have to get back into studying myself. after a few full days of work and a couple of days to recover, it is time to dig back in!! again, welcome to nursing 101 and shastaicurn for joining us!!!

so, as far as i know, there are elizabethjrn, burnt2, emernurse, hoozdo (who got her cert in july!), ruralrn, stressgal. beckykrn and myself who have been a part of this thread and are interested in ccrn. sorry, if i missed anybody, please let us know if i did. would you guys be interested in some pathophsyiology on this thread? things we need to know about different disorders? nothing copyrighted mind you but the important points for different issues?

we could all share different points of view. this thread has quieted down a lot. i want it to become 'alive' again. perhaps i will start this a bit and we can see how it goes.

did anyone check out that youtube bit on ccrn. i thought it was really good, though it was short.

ok, i'm going to start with some posts on different disorders, and i would love feedback to whether it is helpful or not.

come back!!!!

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Specializes in Cardiac.

I'm still following this thread!

I don't think I will be able to test this year though. I kinda fell out of the study habit for a few weeks.

I'll start studying again soon!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

what is somogyi effect?

rebound hyperglycemia due to stress hormone release in response to insulin induced hypoglycemia. with a rapid decline in blood sugar, the sxs are due to release of adrenaline in attempt to restore glucose to normal.

what are key differences btw bacterial and viral meningitis?

bacterial: staph,

csf: very elevated protein and low glucose, purulent,

contains leukocytes

viral: enterovirus, herpes

csf: mod elevated protein and normal glucose, clear,

contains lymphocytes

common characteristics: nuchal rigidity, brudinskis sign and kernigs sign.

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