CCRN exam

LovePurple · Nov 23, 2013

were you breezing through her questions before you took the test or did you still have your doubts? Did you "feel ready" when you went to take it?

Teleflurry, DNP · Mar 7, 2014

I just passed today - first time testing. ALL I did was listen to the Laura gasparis on my iphone - like , three days before the test. I had a test book, but didn't really use it. It's heavy on cardio, neuro and pulmonary. It was all scenarios that you had to use your knowledge of the disease process to figure out the best or first course of action . Like all the answers could be correct but you had to pick the MOST important ones to do first, etc. loads of therapeutic communication questions / which were easy in my opinion . Good luck to all who take it. It's pretty straightforward , but you have to know your pathophysiology.

Teleflurry CCRN

umichjenks · Jul 11, 2014

I used Laura Gasparis's review book of questions... Critical Care Examination Review Revised: 9780962724695: Medicine & Health Science Books @ Amazon.com

My advice is to just study over a month or two and do as many practice questions as possible. I also had the PASS CCRN book, which came with a cd. That book is awful because it's too much info, but the practice questions are great. There are about 1500 questions on the cd.

I also used David Woodruff's podcast and workbook.

Hope that helps and good luck!

emb92250 · Oct 29, 2014

I was so nervous for the CCRN that I over studied. I used the Pass CCRN book and AACN's book to study once through, but they really do have too much info that you don't need. The CD that comes with Pass CCRN was great, and there are additional questions accessed online. The questions were all hard. I used it to take practice tests with, but I would never actually pass these practice tests. I think it's because these questions are soooo much harder than CCRN's typical test question. There are harder questions on CCRN's test, but hard questions don't make up the majority of the test questions. At most, there are probably 10 really hard questions on the CCRN test, but the others are pretty basic concepts. I also used AACN's book of practice questions (3 full length tests) which I think also had harder questions in them than on the test. I consistently scored mid to upper 60% on the AACN's practice tests.

I think what I studied that was really comparable to the test was Laura Gasparis's lectures and AACN's powerpoint lecture (~$150, 10 hours to complete). These lecutures got really down to what was on the test. For example, each lecture emphasized differentiating pre-renal from renal failure by testing urine sodium (if

Anyway, my best advise is to listen to one (or both!) of the mentioned lectures, then get the Pass CCRN dvd or pay online for access to the questions and practice them. Also, definitely get the AACN's book of questions and dew them. Last, I did the 60 question practice test offered by AACN through AMP. This was the best predictor of my score. I got a 76.7% on the practice test and got an 85% (106 out of 125) on the actual test.

I hope this helps. If I woulda known Pass CCRN and AACN's practice questions were much harder than the actual test, I would have taken it much sooner and not worried as much. Also, I have several CCRN books for sale if anyone wants one :)

PluralizesStuffs · Nov 5, 2014

ot an 85% (106 out of 125) on the actual test.

Congrats! btw I've sold lots of books on half com it's super easy. I appreciate you laying out your method for studying, practice test scores, and how some of the material is more in depth than the actual test. That's comforting since I'm under two weeks out from test day. I'm doing a very similar study method. I'm trying to do most that you did, although I'm kinda crunched for time now.

I'm also using Adult CCRN Exam Secrets Study Guide by Mometrix. It breaks everything into short passages and it's only 170pgs of material, so I'm learning it well, instead of using a 400pg book that has too much detail. I'm also doing the practice questions and lectures you mentioned, although I doubt I'll get too many PASS CCRN questions in.

I was wondering whether the 3 hour time limit is an issue for anyone? Was there enough time to review the whole test? Also is there a big diff b/t the old Laura Gasparis lectures and the newer ones? Does anyone know if she updated for the test changing etc? Thanks in advance for any answers and good luck to everyone taking this thing!

Wheetz · Mar 16, 2015

What CCRN text is good to pass the test. I've taken the test 3 times. I used Kaplan.Any suggestions.

cgun101 · Mar 19, 2015

I just recently took and passed the CCRN and the CEN within a month. I had trouble with CEN even though i work in the ER. The questions are not as specific as the CCRN. I used the Gasparis DVD (watched twice and took notes) and the Pass CCRN questions (must've done close to 1000 questions). You can do it. Good luck.

Marina35 · May 7, 2015

I think its really not a horrible test at all. As long as you have ICU experience for couple of years and good pathophysiology knowledge its really all you need. I reviewed material 1 week before a test date and passed with no problems. Good luck all.

Mouserabbit · Jun 6, 2015

I just took the CCRN exam today and I passed with 100 questions out of 125. The exam is a little harder than what I anticipated since I did really well on the questions from "Pass CCRN". I have to say, some the questions are really easy and make me think there might be more than what the question is asking.. Definitely know all the CO/SVR/PAP/PAOP for all types of shock, heart failure, and know 12 lead EKG really well.. I do feel some questions are very basic knowledge testing but some do require a lot of thinking. Beside "Pass CCRN" book, AACN Essential of Critical Care Nursing" is also a great book to study for exam. I found "Pass CCRN" is very detailed and it can be overwhelmed sometimes. Good luck for all of you who are taking this exam in the future..

ICUSkeenRN · Jan 3, 2016

I passed the CCRN on the first try. I used Barron's CCRN Review book as well as Kaplan CCRN. I read the overviews and took a bunch of practice questions. I found the best predictor of success was the CCRN practice exam supplied by AACN. You can purchase it for $50. I have taken both PCCN and CCRN and the practice tests from AACN for both of these tests were extremely similar to the real thing. Hope this helps.

iceyv3 · Jul 4, 2016

I passed on the first try as well. I thought it was tough. I didn't buy the practice exam though. I was saving that for if I didn't pass lol. I used he pass CCRN question bank , LG and a little bit of the Barron's review questions

cmccarty01 · Mar 30, 2017

Hii I am studying for my CCRN as well and have been using the PASS CCRN book; It did not come with a cd/dvd like you all had mentioned. I have been using the online code with the Evolve Website which has a question bank..is this the same thing or is it different?? Thanks!