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.
I admire your confidence and ethusiasm, Dee Dee, but I wouldn't write off 20 years of ICU experience so eagerly. And also, they've paid their dues and maybe they don't feel the need to pass this exam since they have so much hands on experience. Also, they probably already are immersed in life and raising kids, spending time with grandkids and don't feel the need for this.

Taking the CCRN exam is my way of becoming MORE confident. I'm doing it to be a better nurse. This thread is intended as a supportive place for others studying for the CCRN exam whether they have one or twenty years of experience. It is also a place for us to talk about the resistance and the issues we have to deal with in preparing for the exam.

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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

i am studying for it! my manager has been on my ass to take it for months, let me know of any ideas you have to increase my liklihood of success, one suggestion i have is look up patty graham, she has a great online course for it through ucsd and is probably the smartest nurse in san diego, she scares Dr."s!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Yaaaaayyyy!!!! That makes 3 of us currently studying for the exam!!! Do you have a date set? I hadn't heard of the website or nurse you are talking about, but I think it is awesome that she scares Doctors!!!

I am studying David Woodruff's materials and he has over a 98% pass rate on the CCRN. I will send you the same personal message that I sent to ElizabethJRN regarding some of the tips I have received. Also, Linda Gasparis Vonfrolio has a highly recommended DVD course that I haven't received yet, but ordered because of all the great feedback there is out there about her course.

I certainly hope that there is even more nurses out there who would like to band together through this process!! Maybe it will inspire a few to get on board and go for it!!

Thanks for responding!!:chuckle

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Specializes in MICU, CCRN.

I agree, Linda Gasparis Vonfrolio has some great stuff...I have her book full of multiple choice questions that I am mostly studying from. A co-worker who is CCRN certified said the book questions are harder than the test questions, so as long as I can do the book I think I am alright! Good luck!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I have received Linda Gaspari Vonfronlio's DVD on CCRN review and it is an awesome course!! She has done some amazing stuff in her nursing career, organizing a huge march on Washington DC for nurses, is widely published, has appeared on Nightline and other TV shows speaking out on the issues facing nurses. She is so pro-nurse, she apparently still practices at the bedside (ER and ICU) and does not like nursing administrators!! Her stories are hilarious and educational. She teaches in a way that her points really are retained and she reviews those points so they are reinforced. The woman has a thick New York accent and could be a hit stand up comedian!

David Woodruff's course is good, but in comparison all the accolades for Vonfrolio's course is very well-deserved. Woodruff's course is a lot more expensive. But he does have that guarantee that you will pass. But I have found that his follow-up is lacking and the "support and study groups" he has on his website are dead. I posted a question weeks ago and there has been no response, not even from him. He also emailed me to see how studying was going, and I emailed the same question back to him and there is no response.

So from my perspective and one person's opinion, Vonfrolio's course is definitely the one I would recommend, along with her CCRN book full of review questions and their rationale. That is all you would need.

Her presentation is definitely more complete which gave me a better understanding of the material.

Anyone else out there ready to take the plunge? Jump on board, sign up for the exam!!! We can do it together.

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Specializes in LPN school.

I just got my OK to test....i'm planning on taking it mid september before I apply to grad school

I have the gasparas dvds along with the official aacn rewiew dvds (all bummed off of different people).

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Alll Right!!!!! YYYaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!

You are the 4th person on this thread who is preparing for the CCRN. How is it going for you? How are the AACN DVDs? Are they as 'dry' as the seem that they would be? I think the Vonfrolio DVDs are amazing. She is having a seminar in MN in October that I definitely want to go to, I think she is an awesome speaker. I love her irreverence for administration, and Doctors!!!

I also have David Woodruffs course which is good.

I will send a personal message to you with the tips I have learned if you would like.

Happy studying!!:lol2::lol2:

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Specializes in LPN school.

haha yea I really like the gasparas DVDs - they're really entertaining; and yes the AACN ones are a snoozefest, but I'm going to power through them a couple times.

I'm a relatively new grad; I graduated May '05 and went straight to CCU....so it's going to be a challenge, but I think if I study hard enough I should do ok

I would love you to send me the tips! I'll take all the advice I can get!

When are you planning to test?

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Hey!

I sent you the personal message regarding the tips I have gotten about the CCRN.

I haven't received my postcard from the testing people to schedule my exam, but would like to take it the end of August or beginning of September because I am planning to take a stats class in the fall if I can get in. I am working towards an Accelerated BSN to MSN program, getting the prereqs out of the way.

That is so awesome that you went right into critical care!! I worked myself into it slooooowwwwllllyyyyy. hehe

So glad that you are on board!!! Are you at work or are you just a night owl (or both??!!) I am at work right now, myself, having a very good night.

;);)

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Specializes in Tele, ICU, ER.

I'm planning on sending in my fee to take the test today - I hope to sit the exam in September. I sat (and passed) my CEN last October, and used primarily the Gasparis videos/tapes - I think she's wonderful! I have her CCRN stuff as well and much of it overlaps the CEN, so it'll be a good review. I work ER but have at least 2-3 ICU patients per each night I work, so the CCRN will be very applicable to me as well.

I'd encourage everyone to get certified when they can. The boost in confidence is amazing, and it's great on your resume, too. With the cert, you always feel like you have options - an open door to a new position if you really are in a tough spot, and that makes the tough spots easier to get through.

I've ordered Woodruff's stuff, based on the opinions I've seen here. I'd like more info on Patty Graham, if someone can provide a website?

Any tips for taking CCRN would be great - and I'll be happy to post anything new that I learn. No one at my work is interested in getting certified (I'm the only CEN in my ER), so I'd love to have one online buddies to study with!

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

And then there were 5.......!!!!!!

YYYYAAAAAAYYYYYY that is so awesome that you are taking the exam in September, that is approximately when all 5 of us will be testing. Congratulations on already having your CEN!! Are you sure your badge will hold all your initials??!!! hehe I love Vonfrolio's material, I just received her DVD's last Friday and she makes the material so interesting and engaging that it is fun to study.

Is that your baby on your Avatar?? Talk about cute!!!

I will send you a personal message with the tips I have received. No big surprises really.

Take care, happy studying!! :lol2::lol2::lol2:

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I found info about Patty Graham's course. It is taught through UC San Diego's extension program (extension.ucsd.edu). It apparently is an online course which actually starts today 7/5-9/14. It costs $395. Her credentials are impressive.

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