CCRN to get in

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Hi all,

For those of you who've taken the CCRN exam: How difficult is the exam and what kind of prep would you recommend? I have the "Pass CCRN" book and I've been studying a little bit, but not a ton. I have about 2.5 years SICU experience. How much prep time would you recommend before taking the exam? And are there any areas you'd recommend concentrating on while studying?

Thanks

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Specializes in MICU.

I got the lauren gasparis dvd's and her book, went through them front to back a couple of times and then took the test. I wouldnt say the test is really hard, but its not easy.

as far as what to study, i forget what the breakdown is, you should be able to look it up on the aacn website. but CV is by far weighted the most, followed by respiratory and neuro.

as far as what to study,

cardio

pulmonary

endocrine

hematology

neurology

GI

Renal

multisystem

professional/synergy model

those are the catagories, definitly refresh on cardio and pulmonary since these are the highest percentage of the test questions. or just do what alot of people do and get the gasparis dvd's she pretty much tells you everything that is on the test.

good luck

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Specializes in ICU-CVICU.

Not easy...not hard! I also used the Gasparis DVD's and thought they were pretty good. What I recommend to people, is to use the CD that comes with the Pass CCRN book. Save a post-test until you think you're ready, otherwise your score won't correlate.

Good luck! May

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Specializes in SICU--CRNA 2010.

I also used the DVD's, went through it all a couple of times and one extra time on cardio. The CD that comes with Pass CCRN is very helpful. I took the practice test several times and usually made a 70 or so on it. I took my CCRN last week and passed with an 87. The test was not too difficult, there were some hard questions, but overall it was not as hard as I thought it would be.

Good luck

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Where can I purchase the Gasparis DVDs? I tried searching Amazon.com with no luck...

Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in MICU.

https://www.greatnurses.com/exp/index.php/products/item/ccrn_review/

if link does not work, go to greatnurses.com then select product by subject, then select ccrn/critical care nursing.

you can use it as a tax write off.

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Thank you! I just ordered the DVDs!

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Specializes in SRNA class of 2010.

I do not know anyone that has applied themselves, studied, and then failed the CCRN. If you truly review the info. I think you'd be fine passing the certification.

chris

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Listened to the Gasparis CD's in my car driving to and from work each day. Also, bought the AACN review book that has a ton of practice questions and did a few each night for about a month before I took the test. Difficult? Let's put it this way....I'm a neuro ICU nurse and know only neuro-cardiac stuff really good. That test is about half CV intense. I was sweating it and didn't have any problems. Passed the first time with a score of 110. Everything I needed to answer the cardiac portion was on those CD's I listened to. I was really, really nervous that it was going to be REALLY hard because I'd taken my neuroscience cert. years before and that test was horrible! Terrifying! Made you want to cry! Very intense and very, very indepth. The CCRN was broader & didn't dig as deep into the topics as the CNRN had so in a way was much easier because you really only needed to know the basic concepts to get by.

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Just an FYI that in February (19 & 20) the Atlanta AACN is sponsoring a review course for anyone interested in getting their certification. The speaker for the CCRN is Barbara Pope who I actually went to her review at the Trends conference in Philadelphia last year. She is AMAZING...I went to her review, studied alittle over the weekend and passed the exam that monday.

I think they will be posting registration forms this week on their website @:

atlantaaacn.org

Best of luck to you!

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Took the CCRN test 5 years ago, used the Laura Gasparis videos, and they did not help me. I had a critical care text, studied the cardiac and respiratory, touched upon the others, passed easily. I did put time into reading and had 7 years of ICU experience. From what I remember, obviously know your hemodynamics

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Specializes in Open Heart.
Just an FYI that in February (19 & 20) the Atlanta AACN is sponsoring a review course for anyone interested in getting their certification. The speaker for the CCRN is Barbara Pope who I actually went to her review at the Trends conference in Philadelphia last year. She is AMAZING...I went to her review, studied alittle over the weekend and passed the exam that monday.

I think they will be posting registration forms this week on their website @:

atlantaaacn.org

Best of luck to you!

Is there a trends conference this year in Philly? What is the trends conference??

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