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 CTICU.
yes, I am. Good Lord the nuero part is killing me. I would like to bounce questions off other people.

I'm a cardiac person and not a neuro person. I got 83% for neuro on the exam without too much effort. Just follow the exam blueprint - there is really very little % of the exam on neuro, so try not to worry about it too much. If you have specific questions, go ahead and ask.

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Specializes in ICU.

yes they do...and yes, there is a renewal fee every three years. if you join aacn and become a card holding member (there is a fee for this too), there are free ceu's you can get....it's worth the money!

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

when you do the cerp's for the recert of ccrn, do those credit hours count for your rn ceu's also and do you have to pay a renewal fee for the ccrn? Sorry for all of the questions. I just like to have all of the information down before I go into something like this.

Thanks everyone for the info.

Hi Heysmalls!

You know, I have yet to recert since I have had my CCRN less than 1 year, but what I have heard that doing a few cerps each month is the best way to reach that 100 every 3 years. Some nurses are really daunted by that many units to maintain their CCRN, that is the biggest reason I have heard in my fellow nurses for why they don't want to pursue their CCRN.

Here is the link for the entire CCRN renewal process:

http://aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Docs/CCRNPCCNRenewBook.pdf

If you renew by CERPS the fee is $120.

Hey, if you wouldn't mind, tell us a little about yourself....in what area are you nursing? etc. :p:p:p

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
yes, I am. Good Lord the nuero part is killing me. I would like to bounce questions off other people.

Hey tutu123!! How are those neuro questions coming along? I highly recommend Dr Laura Gasparis' review on neuro as she makes it very understandable and gives you the key issues and pathologies you should know for the exam. The neuro part, as I am sure you know, is only 5% of the exam. From the AACN:

  1. Neurology (5%)

    1. Aneurysm, AV malformation
    2. Encephalopathy (e.g., hypoxic-ischemic, metabolic, edema, infectious)
    3. Head trauma (blunt, penetrating), skull fractures
    4. Intracranial hemorrhage/intraventricular hemorrhage (e.g., subarachnoid, epidural, subdural)
    5. Neurologic infectious diseases (e.g., meningitis, GBS, West Nile)
    6. ICP monitoring
    7. Neurosurgery (e.g., evacuation of hematoma, tumor resection)
    8. Seizure disorders
    9. Stroke (e.g., embolic events, hemorrhagic)

      10. Really, the most important part are #4, know the differences between those head bleeds and the signs/symptoms that present. Know the difference btw bacterial and viral meningitis, (CSF differences). And of course the differences btw embolic and hemorrhagic strokes.

      That will give you plenty to do OK on neuro, but as I said, if you can locate some information out there on a review course on CCRN, they will tell you more of the specifics. (I am partial to Dr Laura's).

      Keep us informed, we are here to support you!!! :yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in CVICU, MICU, CCRN-CSC.

Taken the CSC and passed....You can search the site for info...But, I posted several times with no feedback on it. Or very little. I just don't think there are that many out there, so knowledge about the test is minimal. PM me and I will be happy to answer.

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Specializes in Med-Surg and CCU/ER.

Hey deeDawntee,

I live in KY. I am 34 and I have 2 kids and a husband. I have been in nrsg for 7 yrs now. I worked in med/surg for 5 yrs and have been in ccu/icu (ours is together) for 2 yrs now. Thank you for the information on the fees and cerps. I did not realize that it was that much for the renewal fee. I don't really have a problem with the number of cerp's that have to be done. Some of the articles are very interesting and do not take very long to do. I haven't even started studying for the test yet. I just wanted to get some info before I jumped right into it. My husband doesn't really understand why I would want to do this or what the difference would be to have it or not.:banghead: I really don't know what to do for sure.:confused: I am really leaning towards to taking the test anyway. Any more pointers would be helpful. Thanks for everything.

heysmalls:paw::nurse:

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

I live in KY. I am 34 and I have 2 kids and a husband. I have been in nrsg for 7 yrs now. I worked in med/surg for 5 yrs and have been in ccu/icu (ours is together) for 2 yrs now. Thank you for the information on the fees and cerps. I did not realize that it was that much for the renewal fee. I don't really have a problem with the number of cerp's that have to be done. Some of the articles are very interesting and do not take very long to do. I haven't even started studying for the test yet. I just wanted to get some info before I jumped right into it. My husband doesn't really understand why I would want to do this or what the difference would be to have it or not.:banghead: I really don't know what to do for sure.:confused: I am really leaning towards to taking the test anyway. Any more pointers would be helpful. Thanks for everything.

heysmalls:paw::nurse:

Do you know that it costs $297 for the initial CCRN exam along with joining the AACN? (If you don't join the AACN, the test cost $300, so you save $3.00 by joining--just a little initiative they give you to join). Many facilities will pay for the fees and even for your materials to study. Does yours? I would talk to your manager, perhaps even if they don't reimburse specifically for certification programs, they may have some education funds set aside for their staff....just a thought. Management highly values certified nurses, it looks very good as far as applying for magnet status and demonstrating the level of nursing care at their hospital. Getting your CCRN is an acknowledgment of your commitment to the level of nursing care you want to deliver. It really is a big deal. Your husband may understand it in light of other skilled professions, such as a master plumber or master electrician, it is something you must earn and maintain that sets you apart from other nurses.

Besides that, for me it helped me in my own confidence and security in critical care. It really helped solidify my knowledge and the ongoing study does the same. I actually really enjoyed the process of preparing for the exam. I highly recommend Dr Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's CCRN review course. She was very empowering and inspiring personally to me, as she has a GREAT attitude of how to deal with arrogant doctors and obnoxious management...she is amazing (in my eyes) and not at all what you would expect a national speaker in nursing to be... her course is $150. At times it shows up on ebay for substantially less. She is definitely a character in the nursing world that everyone should experience...

Please don't be put off by the expenses, consider how much you paid for nursing school and see this as an extension of your education. You will also want to purchase the Robin Donohoe Dennison's PASS CCRN for the CD of questions that come with that book, it is an invaluable resource. I would definitely buy that new on amazon.com, as some who purchase it used miss out on the CD of questions. The book itself is only useful as a resource. The CD of questions, we have found on this thread, will almost exactly predict your readiness for the exam and is set up exactly like the real exam....it is worth its weight in gold for the exam.

It sounds like you have a busy life!! I would plan to spend an hour or so a day studying. Once you apply for the exam, you have a 3 month window in which to schedule it. With your extensive experience, that will be plenty of time. The process of becoming CCRN certified is what it is all about. It is a very cool time.

the CCRN dance!! hehehe :lol2::lol2::lol2:

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Specializes in Onocology,Telemetry, ICU.

Hello to all who are studying and those who are already pass the CCRN. I am beginning to study, I have Laura Gasparis dvd's and her book, Pass ccrn, and Med-Ed CCRN exam review. Any feedback about Med-Ed? deeDawntee is it possible you can PM me the tips you have about the CCRN and what to memorized. I noticed that no one has posted on the thread since June 11th, where is everybody am I the only one studying?

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

Hi shirleyland!

Welcome to the thread. You are right, this thread has been quiet lately. I know there are a few others in the process of studying, but I have a feeling that summertime may not be the most motivating time to crack down and study. How is your study plan coming along? Do you know about when you would like to take the exam?

Here are some of the tips I know about taking the exam:

Know general issues with anti-rejection medications: all of them cause risk of infection, hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity. Watch for decreased WBC's, RBC's and PLTS.

and then know the specifics of these 6 medications:

Corticosteroids: can cause GI bleeds, hyperglycemia, adrenal suppression

Cyclosporine: Hyperkalemia and hypomagnesia

ATgam: Thrombocytopenia

OKT3 (muromonab-CD3): decreased WBC;s and PLTS

Prograf: Hyperkalemia and hypomagnesia

Cellcept: HTN and hypokalemia.

Know Shock states: Hypovolemic, Cardiogenic, Septic (hyperdynamic and shock) neuro/spinal and anaphylactic. Know what is happening with hemodynamics in these states.

Memorize normal for PA catheter values: PAS/PAD, PCWP, CVP, CO, CI, SVR, PVR

know that MAP= DBP X2 / SBP/3

Know the actions of hemodynamic medications as far as HR, BP and CO also normal dose ranges for: Dopamine, Dobutamine, Levophed, Epi, Dig, Nitro, Nipride, Ami.

Know the action of Calcium Channel Blockers and what they interact with (beta blockers, grapefruit juice, anti-arrythmics and anti-seizure meds)

Know the action of Beta Blockers and what to watch for: Use in caution with diabetics (can mask hypoglycemia) asthmatics and additive effects with Ca channel blockers and ACEI.

12-Lead EKG interpretation: difference btw ischemia, injury and necrosis on 12 lead.

Know which leads indicate where on the heart the injury is.

Know sxs and treatment of hyper/hypo: kalemia, natremia, calcemia, magnesia, phosphorous.

Know basic ventilator terminolgy. ABG's. Chest tubes: what is normal/abnormal in suction chamber, water seal, and collection chamber.

For Neuro know the Glasgow coma scoring. Know the hematomas (epidural, subdural, subarchnoid)

Know the basic ACLS algorithms.

Also, if a question has an "all of the above" answer, that is probably the answer, and if in doubt, pick the longest answer.

Those are my best tips, along with Dr Laura's course, you WILL pass.

Hopefully, you will revive the thread and get others on board with studying again. I check this thread daily and will support you as much as I can. I know others visit here as well and can be a resource and support for you as well.

:wlcmblks::wlcmblks::wlcmblks:

Happy studying!! :yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in ER/ICU/PACU/ Nurse Anesthetist.

^^^ That's it in a nutshell from deedawntee! :up:

I would just add- do plenty of practice exams, it helps with leaning and retention by reviewing the rationales for both correct and incorrect answers. Whatever sections you are having problems with on practice exam review it in the book and then do more practice exams. Laura Gasparis is great too! Goodluck and keep us updated!

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I'm still here. Although I received all of my study materials about 6 weeks ago, I just watched the first LGV video on Endocrine a couple of days ago. I have then reviewed her pearls in the book and done the questions. I loved her DVD, but have decided that I should take notes during it. Although I know that I will watch it again, I'd like to have some notes for quick reviews when I have short amounts of time.

I haven't applied to take the test yet. I wanted to go through all of the material at least once first. I know, I'm just a chicken.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I'm still here. Although I received all of my study materials about 6 weeks ago, I just watched the first LGV video on Endocrine a couple of days ago. I have then reviewed her pearls in the book and done the questions. I loved her DVD, but have decided that I should take notes during it. Although I know that I will watch it again, I'd like to have some notes for quick reviews when I have short amounts of time.

I haven't applied to take the test yet. I wanted to go through all of the material at least once first. I know, I'm just a chicken.

Hey, you should do whatever feels right to you. I took notes as well as I listened to her course! I also made tons of flash cards....

This material is so vast, it seems, but achieving your CCRN actually is very doable. If you just focus on what Dr Laura tells you to know and know what you want to know for your practice, I think that is what really matters. I feel that I could relearn all that material all over again and pick-up many things I have forgotten. I think what is important is the commitment to reaching mastery. There will always be more to know! It is so empowering just to go through the process itself.

So how is everyone else doing? Where is CardiacRN2006?? I miss my friends!!

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