? CCRN prep- Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio notes

Published

Specializes in ICU/CCU.

Hello,

I'm scheduled to take CCRN by the end of this month, and have been studying for the test for 2 wks already. I'm searching around and was sugessted to use PASS CCRN to practice questions and watch CCRN Review DVDs by Dr. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio..

I'd like to hear any feedback about the Test from people who took it already. And please pass me any notes that you took during listening to the DVDs.

Thank you so much.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

You can purchase the PASS CCRN questions without buying the book, which I highly recommend...I think it's only $28 for the online bank of questions? Google "Pass CCRN questions Evolve" and the website should come up. I did almost all of the 1000+ questions and understood the rationales. It's a really good tool!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU/CCU.
You can purchase the PASS CCRN questions without buying the book, which I highly recommend...I think it's only $28 for the online bank of questions? Google "Pass CCRN questions Evolve" and the website should come up. I did almost all of the 1000+ questions and understood the rationales. It's a really good tool!

Thank you for your input.. I feel like I dont study enough. Cardio and 12 EKG are my weakness. How did you study for 12 EKG ?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I googled them. Also check out YouTube videos!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCRN.

I took notes on the videos (as in, I basically transcribed them), then took notes on my notes. Then I did just the pulmonary and cardiac sections in the Pass CCRN question bank several times. Then I took two full-length practice tests at the end, out of the Pass CCRN question bank. All this was done in 6 days straight, 8 hours a day. I took the test on the 7th day and passed. (Can you tell I'm a bit of a procrastinator? Lol)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I did the Laura Gasparis DVD review, PASS CCRN, and used my unit's ECCO course to study for my CCRN. I passed the exam with plenty of wiggle room. This was a few years ago now, but from what I remember, there was quite a bit of info on the exam that Laura Gasparis specifically pointed out in her DVD, and I found her to be very engaging and informative for clinical practice as well. Based on that, I'd recommend using the DVDs - if you know someone who will split the price with you or look for used DVDs, that might be a good idea as they're quite pricey. I still use some of her quips to remember things now that I'm in anesthesia school.

I also needed work specifically on cardiovascular material, being that I wasn't a CICU nurse. Using those 3 resources, I felt very comfortable with the information going into the exam, and I ended up performing better on the cardiac section than neuro (which I did a lot of in the clinical field). If you put your mind to it and acknowledge your weaknesses, and really focus on those areas, you'll be just fine.

As far as the test itself, you either know the info or you don't. It's all clinical knowledge- none of the fluff that was on the NCLEX. It's hard to BS your way through a question if you truly don't have a good base. I took the 3 months leading up to the exam and studied during slow times at work and a few hours every couple days. I finished the exam feeling cautiously optimistic - not as though my mind had been completely blown. It's very doable if you take the time and invest in good study resources like those you've mentioned.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCRN.

Also, as far as the 12-lead EKG stuff, I did watch some YouTube videos here and there before I started my intense prep. However, I didn't have any detailed questions on my specific exam. Some people do; I guess I just got lucky?

I agree that nearly 100% of what is said on those videos is pertinent to the test, including her example questions. It's amazing.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU, Anesthesia.

I agree with ICUNole, Pass-CCRN test bank again and again.

Understand the rationales

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion