CCRN Help

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Hello everyone,

I am coming onto this website because I am lost as to where I should go on from here. I have recently taken the CCRN exam in March (failed by 4 questions) and yesterday (failed by 2 questions). I have rewatched the Galsparis videos multiple times and done several practice exams from the PASS CCRN. Seems like my study techniques are not working and need to change them yet again. I am still lacking on the cardiology and pulmonary section. I also purchased the AACN CCRN review course for the second exam review. I want to try and retest again in about a month, but I really want to pass but more so than by a hair. Any suggestions would be helpful! I really appreciate your time.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Capacity/Bed Management.

I'm sorry that you are having such a difficult time with this material; here are some study tips.

-Know the blueprint; figure out what is the percentage for each category and focus on your weak areas,

-Dedicate Time; set aside 2-3 hours per day for studying with 20 minute breaks in-between

-Take notes; just listening or viewing videos may not be enough

-Find a live CCRN review course

-Sometimes it's a matter of having a greater work experience/exposure in critical care.

The night before your exam get some solid sleep, drink some calming herbal tea and DO NOT study. When you wake up have a good solid breakfast, when you arrive at the testing center DO NOT sit in your car going over last minute stuff. When you get to the computer and log on for the exam, do a mental vomit on that blank sheet, whatever you memorized write it down; hemodynamic parameters, lab values, whatever it is you think is valuable and lastly just go with the flow. Best of luck!

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I used a book by gasparis that is essentially all questions. Thousands of them. It gets your brain into that mode.

I always tell people to learn, not to memorize. For example, of course you can memorize what disease states calcium channel blockers are used in. It's great to know that they block calcium channels. But if that's the limit you're under prepared. You should know the N, L, T type channels, where they're found what they do. Why calcium channels are so important in myocytes/smooth muscle and not skeletal muscle. What phases 0-4 correspond to in the cardiac myocyte action potential.

Memorizing facts will get many people by and they'll pass the CCRN. But I say take the time to really learn it and it'll mean something.

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The Barron's book I found helpful along with the he passccrn book/online material. Barron's gave the down and dirty and easy to understand information that will be on the test vs being overloaded by information from passccrn. I did find it helpful however to pound out as many questions as I could online from passccrn. Good luck.

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I enjoyed the Gasparis videos, but they're too time-consuming for repetitive use... she uses too much time for story telling; the book that comes with the videos is pretty sweet, though. I completed the AACN's online review and used the Pass CCRN and AACN book. The Pass CCRN questions felt easier than the actual exam. The AACN's question bank, while more limited in number, felt like a better representation of exam content.

I churned out at least 100 AACN questions daily in study mode (with rationales) until I was consistently getting 85% correct. In two week's time, I felt like that had done more for me than the review class. I sat for the exam and passed with a healthy margin. That's what worked for me, but we're all different. Good luck!

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Memorizing facts will get many people by and they'll pass the CCRN. But I say take the time to really learn it and it'll mean something.

This is so true. If you don't understand the whys and hows, then the information that you've memorized might get "CCRN" added to your name badge, but it likely won't improve the way that you manage patient care -- and that's really the end goal, right? Better patient outcomes are what the CCRN is about.

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I recommend the book by Laura Gasparis, it has about 1200 questions in it. I went to her CCRN review cram seminar, reviewed her DVDs and did all 1200 questions. I took my test about 2 months after the seminar and passed with 106/125. I had lots of hemodynamics and IABP on my test.

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Are there any CCRN review courses happening in your area? Our ICU and local AACN chapter hosted a CCRN review class. It was 2 days long and super helpful!

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I'm sorry you have had to take the exam twice but I admire your perseverance! I agree with the above posters to review the exam blueprint and focus on your weaker areas (especially if they're in the cardio/pulm/multi-system areas). Sometimes it can be difficult to grasp certain concepts if you don't work in an area that touches upon those (ex: CVICU for IABPs, Neuro ICU for ventrics, etc). Depending on your facility, you might be able to request a shadow day in another area just to observe. That might help you grasp the information from the study materials better. I also agree that in-person review courses might benefit you since you're able to interact versus a video. Good luck!!

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