Anyone else studying for CCRN exam?

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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.
Do you know anyone that has studied from these cards? I am going to take these to work (less obtrusive than a CCRN book) but I don't want to be studying a bunch of information I don't need to study. There seems to be alot of info on IABP which is great...but for the test? I like the simple way they put things.

I am also going to show it to our Nurse Educator. It is a great site for different things for hemodynamics (the only part I have got through so far):uhoh3:

I didn't use them at all for studying just before the exam, too many obscure, non CCRN questions, but useful, as you say, for other reasons. The Pacep site is so useful for hemodynamics...have you seen any of that site? I went through the first level, didn't worry about the quizzes much (took them once) but just went through it. I found it helpful because I realized I knew most of the stuff, but it was soo well taught that it boosted my confidence.

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.

Happy Dance! Happy Dance!! A friend of mine where I work has the Gasparis DVD's and he is going to lend them to me!!! Whoo-Hooo!! That may be worth rescheduling. Maybe. Or maybe I will see what I can get through. How many hours are there?? He has moved a couple of time since he took it. I hoep he can find them!!!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
Happy Dance! Happy Dance!! A friend of mine where I work has the Gasparis DVD's and he is going to lend them to me!!! Whoo-Hooo!! That may be worth rescheduling. Maybe. Or maybe I will see what I can get through. How many hours are there?? He has moved a couple of time since he took it. I hoep he can find them!!!

I believe it is about 14 hours (on 6 discs). It doesn't seem that long though!

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So guys What books or cd's are the best?

I am reading Laura and Dennison, and where can I get them second hand.. thanks for any reply...

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
So guys What books or cd's are the best?

I am reading Laura and Dennison, and where can I get them second hand.. thanks for any reply...

1) Get Dr Laura's DVD course on greatnurses.com, and her review book: Critical Care Exam Review, go to amazon.com for that, cheaper than on her own website. Occasionally people do find her DVD course on ebay, although I have a strong hunch that most will hang on to her course, it is so good.

2) Don't read Dennison, her review book Pass CCRN is far too detailed for CCRN purposes, although it is useful for a reference. Where her material is extremely useful though is in the CD with the questions and the rationales. We have found that it correlates almost exactly to actual scores, and I know people who have used that CD exclusively for studying... some of the questions are exact that you will find on the CCRN exam itself.

3) the Pacep site is excellent for a review of hemodynamics.

The AACN's material is dry and many have found not helpful. I am sure others will add other favorites, but these have been the core study materials. There is always a danger of using too many sources and then not absorbing what one has to offer because your attention is too scattered.

Are you planning on taking the exam soon? We would love to have more fellow CCRN'ers on this thread!!

:welcome:

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.
I believe it is about 14 hours (on 6 discs). It doesn't seem that long though!

Got them this pm!!! I am going to start on them tommorrow!! Yay!!

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Congrats deeDawntee on getting your CCRN!!!!

I just got back from the CCRN review with Laura Gasparis V. this week. It was great! She was so funny too! I am going to take my time studying and plan to test in the Spring of 2008. Too much going on during the upcoming holiday season to study seriously.

Will keep checking in!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
Congrats deeDawntee on getting your CCRN!!!!

I just got back from the CCRN review with Laura Gasparis V. this week. It was great! She was so funny too! I am going to take my time studying and plan to test in the Spring of 2008. Too much going on during the upcoming holiday season to study seriously.

Will keep checking in!

Thanks SOOOO much for the update! Do you have her DVD course as well? How many people were there? Did she make herself available on breaks much? I would love to organize a course with her in my area...

Please keep us updated!! Good luck with all your activities this fall and winter!

;););)

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Specializes in ICU, Research, Corrections.

OK, who's next up for testing. I think it is Burnt2. When is your date Burnt? Anyone else have dates yet?

Go, Go CCRN takers

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Specializes in LPN school.

I'm taking it on the 24th of this month

3rd Dennison test:

81% (122/150)

Cardio 39/47

Pulm 20/26

GI 6/6

Neuro 4/5

Renal 7/8

Endocrine 8/9

Hemo 3/8

Multisystem 8/12

Ethics/etc 23/29

I probably saw around 10 questions i've seen before. Still, some of the questions are completely insane.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I'm taking it on the 24th of this month

3rd Dennison test:

81% (122/150)

Cardio 39/47

Pulm 20/26

GI 6/6

Neuro 4/5

Renal 7/8

Endocrine 8/9

Hemo 3/8

Multisystem 8/12

Ethics/etc 23/29

I probably saw around 10 questions i've seen before. Still, some of the questions are completely insane.

WAY TO GO BURNT!! You are gonna be fine!!

Which are the insane ones?

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Specializes in LPN school.

A couple of the synergy/ethics ones bug me --- maybe it's just me but the rationales don't seem to make sense - one or two lines explaining it.

A (generalized) example: so a post cardiac pt is c/o back pain and all hemodynamic parameters are fine, but he's anxious. What would the be best thing to teach him now? Some of the answers are easy to eliminate, but the remaining ones are equally valid and (quite frankly) have nothing to do with the situation at hand.

Oh well.....life goes on

How many questions are there really on the test? I finish the 150 in about 1.5 hours

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