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 have plans to start studying for the CCRN and take it in a few months....but I may be changing jobs out of intensive care, maybe into cath lab or interventional rad. If I do the job change, are any of those jobs considered intensive care to keep my eligibility both before and after the test? Is it worth it for me to even take the test? :uhoh3: :bugeyes: :uhoh3:

Hello!!! Welcome to the thread!!

From the AACN website:

"AACN Certification Corporation recognizes the effect the dynamic healthcare environment has had on critical care nursing practice. While high acuity patients are still cared for in ICU/CCU settings, many patients traditionally cared for in these areas may now be admitted or cared for in a variety of units. AACN Certification Corporation acknowledges that critical care nursing occurs outside the four walls of the traditional ICU/CCU setting. Regardless of the clinical arena, acutely and critically ill patients require knowledgeable, clinically competent nurses.

The CCRN-certified nurse has the advanced body of knowledge necessary to care for the complex needs of complex patients whether acute or critically ill. Forty percent of the 40,000 certified CCRNs work in areas outside the ICU/CCU setting. AACN Certification Corporation values all CCRNs and nurses caring for these patients and has updated the CCRN program to reflect the ever-changing healthcare environment. The specialized body of knowledge for critical care nurses delineated by the Study of Practice is still the framework and basis for exam content."

As you can see, the CCRN certification is applicable to many patients outside of the traditional ICU. Certainly a cath lab setting or IR would be within the realm of practice!!

For me, achieving CCRN certification was very empowering. It was definitely worth while. It has made me a better nurse, there is no doubt.

Please ask any other questions you may have!! We are here to help. There are many who have acheived their CCRN's who's voices are heard as well. Hope you decide to go ahead with it!!

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

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

I'm scheduled to take the CCRN next week. I'm taking the PassCCRN! CD questions (Dennison), and getting about 60-70% of 150 questions. Most of the questions I miss are in MODS and Cardiac.

I'm getting nervous about taking this test. Does anyone know the minimum passing score?

I only have a few days left to study, should I postpone this test another week or so?

Thanks in advance for any replies! :redbeathe :redpinkhe

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Specializes in CCU/MICU/ICU/Hyperbarics.

passing score is 70. many of the questions will be cardiac, so if you are weak on the cardiac and mods then i would study those really hard before you take the test.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
I'm scheduled to take the CCRN next week. I'm taking the PassCCRN! CD questions (Dennison), and getting about 60-70% of 150 questions. Most of the questions I miss are in MODS and Cardiac.

I'm getting nervous about taking this test. Does anyone know the minimum passing score?

I only have a few days left to study, should I postpone this test another week or so?

Thanks in advance for any replies! :redbeathe :redpinkhe

How are you doing Royal Nurse?? Are you still scheduled to take the exam this week?? I am sorry that I was out of town for a few days and missed your post, please update us on how it is going!!! Many people have found that those Dennison questions are more difficult than the actual exam....

sorry....I missed your post...please update

:cry:

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

Hey, I took it and PASSED THE CCRN today!!! :yeah:

I had a lot of cardiomyopathy, swan ganz, CHF modalities, a few questions on shock: recognizing early septic shock, and treating.

I also had upper GI bleeding: what labs you would find, and symptoms of small bowel obstruction. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolis really helped on these, all I could hear was "I'll take the large bowel!"

But the Dennison CD helped more for the cardiac stuff. Anyway, glad I took it, now I'll just keep reviewing so I don't forget all the great stuff I crammed into my brain!

Thanks for your help and suggestions, I got all my books and study tips from this website! :redbeathe

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
hey, i took it and passed the ccrn today!!! :yeah:

i had a lot of cardiomyopathy, swan ganz, chf modalities, a few questions on shock: recognizing early septic shock, and treating.

i also had upper gi bleeding: what labs you would find, and symptoms of small bowel obstruction. laura gasparis vonfrolis really helped on these, all i could hear was "i'll take the large bowel!"

but the dennison cd helped more for the cardiac stuff. anyway, glad i took it, now i'll just keep reviewing so i don't forget all the great stuff i crammed into my brain!

thanks for your help and suggestions, i got all my books and study tips from this website! :redbeathe

:yeah::yeah::yeah:

hhhhoooooorrrrraaaayyyy!!!!!!!

royalnurse rn, ccrn!!!!!!!

way to go!!! whoooooo!!!!! hooo!!

yyyaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!!

awesome, stupendous, terrific!!

:ancong!::ancong!::ancong!:

:anpom::anpom::anpom: :anpom::anpom::anpom:

:hpygrp::hpygrp::hpygrp:

what are you going to do to reward yourself?? do you get any recognition at work? thanks so much for letting us know!! what has your feedback been at work??

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Specializes in CVICU, ER.

Thanks, I feel congratulated!

My feedback at work has been good, my co-workers are very congratulatory. There's no recognition and very little financial reward from administration, but I plan to use the CCRN more to help my own practice, and force me to keep learning and studying.

Thanks again for all your help, deeDawnTee, you were the one that got me interested in studying for and taking this test, now I'm glad I did. It really helped me to focus my practice, and I think I'm a better nurse now because of it. I couldn't read a 12-lead to save my life before this test, now I can! I feel a lot less panicky about work in general now! :nurse:

Thanks!!:redbeathe:bow:

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Specializes in SRNA.

CCRN is my goal by the end of 2009. I'm approaching my 1 year anniversary as a RN and I began in the ICU. I bought the Pass CCRN book by Dennison and I'm starting my review.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.
CCRN is my goal by the end of 2009. I'm approaching my 1 year anniversary as a RN and I began in the ICU. I bought the Pass CCRN book by Dennison and I'm starting my review.

WELCOME to our little thread!!

:wlcmggrp:

:grpwlcm:

Wow, you are definitely a highly motivated nurse, that is awesome and you are going to do great on your CCRN, I have no doubt. It is a very empowering experience, that's for certain. Are you working in an environment where people are encouraged to get their CCRN or other certifications? I always wonder about that, because the encouragement from where I work seems to wax and wane.

I hope you use this thread ongoingly. It has been a useful place for people to have a study and support team as they are going through the process. And you can definitely inspire others to join you.

Have fun studying and stay in touch!! :yeah::yeah::yeah:

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Specializes in SRNA.

Where I work now, there's maybe 4-5 nurses that have their CCRN out of about 75. We aren't encouraged to get it.

I am moving though to a new state and new unit in January and the manager asked about AACN membership and CCRN and two of the staff nurses I got to chat with were CCRN and they have a financial incentive (although it's only 1.00/hr...that adds up over the course of a year! Plus they'll pay for the exam when you can provide proof you've passed) to get it. It has been a goal of mine anyhow because I think it will make me a better nurse by forcing me to review competencies I don't encounter all the time. I'm dreading the CV portion! Where I work now, hearts go to their own CIC unit and I have very limited experience with swans and complex heart issues all around. Yet I feel pretty strong about my other organ systems... Nonetheless I'm sure I'll learn quite a bit through the process.

I need to take a gander through this thread and get more tips on what's worked for people as far as study habits and review materials.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

OK how are all the current CCRN studiers doing? Are we having fun yet? Any questions, concerns or victories to report?

Just checking! :typing

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Specializes in critical care: trauma/oncology/burns.

Hello Everyone!

I have "lurked" on this thread for a few days and decided to take the plunge! GULP......Anyway another Officer and I have decided to study for the CCRN and take it within 3-4 months.

I ordered the CCRN Review (DVDs) by Dr. Laura Gasparis and I also ordered the Robin Donohoe Dennison book, Pass CCRN. Found out my DVD player on my lap top is no longer functioning but my wonderful S.O. sent me a DVD player. Now I have no excuse not to buckle down and start studying....

Anyway, thanks for making this thread available for one and all!

athena

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