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 CVICU, PACU, OR.

I received a heart transplant for the first time the other night. It was interesting to say the least. What is the max dose of an epi drip you have seen?

I have made it through endocrine and am moving on to neuro. I HATE neuro! I will try to push though. I haven't seen a lot of neuro conditions (besides strokes) so it is mostly review from nursing school.

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I am taking it iin 2 wks and am scared to death. I am looking for hemodynamic normal lab values if anyone can help me out. I such an ER nurse!

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Congrats to all who have passed since my last check-in, and good luck to all who are studying!

Just wondering if anyone has the Gasparis DVD's and would be willing to lend them to a perfect stranger...

It is a long shot, but it can't hurt to ask.

Thanks!! Quiet1

I might be able to help you out, PM me

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Hey!! Thanks for posting. Check out AACN.org, they are the organization that runs the CCRN. From their website: Critical care practice as a registered nurse is required for 1,750 hours in direct bedside care of (adult, neonatal or pediatric) acutely or critically ill patients during the 2-year period preceding date of application, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application.

Also, to keep your CCRN you need 300 CE's in the 3 years that your certification is valid. Then all you need to do is pay the renewal fee and have the CE's (a lot like your RN license). What is GREAT about the AACN, is that they have free CE's and the record of reading the articles and doing the quizzes can be saved right on their website. They have some really good articles.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I am taking it iin 2 wks and am scared to death. I am looking for hemodynamic normal lab values if anyone can help me out. I such an ER nurse!

Wow, 2 weeks!! That is awesome! Check out this site: Pacep.org and go through the lessons. Don't worry about having ALL of that material down, but it is an excellent website and invaluable for anyone wanting to understand hemodynamics.

How is the rest of your studying coming along?

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I received a heart transplant for the first time the other night. It was interesting to say the least. What is the max dose of an epi drip you have seen?

I have made it through endocrine and am moving on to neuro. I HATE neuro! I will try to push though. I haven't seen a lot of neuro conditions (besides strokes) so it is mostly review from nursing school.

WOW!! What an interesting patient!! Personally I rarely see epi on the patients I deal with... Sounds like you were kept on your toes!!

If you know what Dr Laura says about neuro, you will do fine. She makes a very complicated subject easier to grasp.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
Hey everyone,

I am really wanting to take the ccrn exam, but I have not got any material. Found some things that looked interesting though. any suggestions on books?:uhoh3: Also, after you take the exam, how do you renew the certification? I surely do not want to have to take the test again just for renewal.:trout:

Thanks everyone,

heysmalls of Ky

I second what Wepeel07 said. The Dennison "Pass CCRN" book is a great reference, but what is invaluable is the CD of test questions with rationales that comes with the book. We have found that the scores people get on those tests correlates almost exactly to the actual CCRN exam. Use the book as a reference only, there is WAY too much information for the CCRN certification. You will go insane if you try to memorize that entire book!!

Then, of course, Dr Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's DVD course on the CCRN is sooo good that I highy recommend it!! Greatnurses.com is her website. She is such a great teacher and she teaches in such a way that you will remember the material. She is passionate about the material and that translates to the learner. It is MUCH better than the other dry, fact by fact courses out there which leaves one bored to tears. I had a different course to start out and soon abandoned it after I received Dr Laura's course. She is a character in the nursing world that one should not miss. She has truly inspired me!!

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Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

I received her at 0100. She came back on 20 mcg of epi. I had it up to 25 mcg at the end of my shift trying to keep her SBP > 90. UO about 20-25 ml/hr. CI 1.8-2.0. SVR about 1400. Milrinone at 0.3 mcg and dob at 10 mcg. Couldn't increase the milrinone because of her BP. CVP 24. The surgeon kept saying, "are you sure that it a correct CVP?" Yes, I know how to use a swan. On nitrous oxide with a PA pressure of about 40s/25. At the end of my shift I think they were debating about changing up her drips (vasopressin and Isuprel) and she ending up getting a IABP DOS.

A good experience.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I received her at 0100. She came back on 20 mcg of epi. I had it up to 25 mcg at the end of my shift trying to keep her SBP > 90. UO about 20-25 ml/hr. CI 1.8-2.0. SVR about 1400. Milrinone at 0.3 mcg and dob at 10 mcg. Couldn't increase the milrinone because of her BP. CVP 24. The surgeon kept saying, "are you sure that it a correct CVP?" Yes, I know how to use a swan. On nitrous oxide with a PA pressure of about 40s/25. At the end of my shift I think they were debating about changing up her drips (vasopressin and Isuprel) and she ending up getting a IABP DOS.

A good experience.

Phew!! Sounds incredibly challenging. I would have to imagine that a balloon is almost essential for most transplant patients?? It sounds like an incredibly exciting patient population!

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Specializes in CVICU, PACU, OR.

I just became transplant certified so I have not taken care of many. Usually I've seen them do well. It depends on their pulmonary HTN causing right sided heart failure. This is the second transplant that I've seen with a IABP.

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Hi everyone! Just checking in again to share the good news...

I passed!!!! 98/125.. 78%..

I decided to move my exam from two weeks ago to yesterday.. I listened and agreed to deeDawntee's advice to give myself more time to study.. and indeed everything that we're talking about here is true.. the score that you're making on the pass ccrn cd test is almost an accurate reflection of how you're going to do on the actual test.. so here i am.. happy that im done with it.. next goal is for the gre exam.. thanks guys and good luck to y'all!!!

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
hi everyone! just checking in again to share the good news...

i passed!!!! 98/125.. 78%..

i decided to move my exam from two weeks ago to yesterday.. i listened and agreed to deedawntee's advice to give myself more time to study.. and indeed everything that we're talking about here is true.. the score that you're making on the pass ccrn cd test is almost an accurate reflection of how you're going to do on the actual test.. so here i am.. happy that im done with it.. next goal is for the gre exam.. thanks guys and good luck to y'all!!!

congratulationsrose.gif

ccrn!!!!!!!!!

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