CCRN Preparation

pickledpepperRN · Dec 7, 2004

This is the one I used. It gets updated periodically. I started a couple months ahead studying 1-3 hours a day two or three times a week.

As you go through the questions read all the wrong answers (even on those you got right). The rationale explains the critical thinking and facts.

http://www.greatnurses.com/?content=books.php

Critical Care Examination Review

by Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, RN, PhD, CEN-Joanne Noone, RN, MSN, CS, CCRN

Over 800 multiple choice questions that test your knowledge of critical care nursing. Organizes content by body system so that you can easily study whichever subjects you need to review more thoroughly. Presents valuable test-taking strategies to boost your confidence and give you an added advantage when taking the exam. 412 pgs

Also I found Core Curriculum for Critical Care Nurses by thr American Association of Critical Care Nurses Staff quite complete. It was difficult for me to study from so I made sure to go to a textbook for anything in the Core Curriculum I wasn't familiar with.

Here are a couple links. The first has it used and inexpensive:

http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Core%20Curriculum%20for%20Critical%20Care%20Nurses:1978293988:isbn=0721612156?used=1

http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/072165147X/702-6060651-3789639

thanatos · Dec 7, 2004

I found the following books very helpful:

Critical Care Cerification: preparation, review, & practice exams. Thomas Ahrens & Donna Prentice.

Pass CCRN! Robin Dennison.

Core Curriculum for Critical Care Nursing. Alspach, Ed.

Core Review for Critical Care Nursing. Alspcha, Ed.

I started reviewing the top 3 books about 10-12 months before the exam. As time got closer, I studied more intensely. I found the last book, which is 3 example tests, very helpful. In addition, I attended a couple of CCRN review courses, one by Laura Gesparis (sp?) and another one by Robin Dennison. I also listened to Laura Gesparis' CCRN review on tape while in the car. Her voice can get pretty annoying after a while, but I still found it very useful. Since I work in a rural hospital and the clinical experience is generally lacking, I hit the books pretty hard. If you work in a major ICU and you study up on the areas you are not familiar with, you shouldn't have a problem.

fibikunle1 · Dec 7, 2004

Thanks for your help

This is the one I used. It gets updated periodically. I started a couple months ahead studying 1-3 hours a day two or three times a week.
As you go through the questions read all the wrong answers (even on those you got right). The rationale explains the critical thinking and facts.
http://www.greatnurses.com/?content=books.php
Critical Care Examination Review
by Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio, RN, PhD, CEN-Joanne Noone, RN, MSN, CS, CCRN
Over 800 multiple choice questions that test your knowledge of critical care nursing. Organizes content by body system so that you can easily study whichever subjects you need to review more thoroughly. Presents valuable test-taking strategies to boost your confidence and give you an added advantage when taking the exam. 412 pgs
Also I found Core Curriculum for Critical Care Nurses by thr American Association of Critical Care Nurses Staff quite complete. It was difficult for me to study from so I made sure to go to a textbook for anything in the Core Curriculum I wasn't familiar with.
Here are a couple links. The first has it used and inexpensive:
http://shopping.yahoo.com/p:Core%20Curriculum%20for%20Critical%20Care%20Nurses:1978293988:isbn=0721612156?used=1
http://www.amazon.ca/exec/obidos/ASIN/072165147X/702-6060651-3789639

fibikunle1 · Dec 7, 2004

I do appreciate your advice. Thank you very much.

I found the following books very helpful:
Critical Care Cerification: preparation, review, & practice exams. Thomas Ahrens & Donna Prentice.
Pass CCRN! Robin Dennison.
Core Curriculum for Critical Care Nursing. Alspach, Ed.
Core Review for Critical Care Nursing. Alspcha, Ed.
I started reviewing the top 3 books about 10-12 months before the exam. As time got closer, I studied more intensely. I found the last book, which is 3 example tests, very helpful. In addition, I attended a couple of CCRN review courses, one by Laura Gesparis (sp?) and another one by Robin Dennison. I also listened to Laura Gesparis' CCRN review on tape while in the car. Her voice can get pretty annoying after a while, but I still found it very useful. Since I work in a rural hospital and the clinical experience is generally lacking, I hit the books pretty hard. If you work in a major ICU and you study up on the areas you are not familiar with, you shouldn't have a problem.

TexasCCRN · Dec 7, 2004

If you know the Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio tapes you will do fine. I bought the Robin Dennison Book also. It is way detailed and too much to look at at one time. I did all the questions on the Dennison CD and just used the book if i needed more details than the tapes gave me.

futuregasman · Dec 11, 2004

I went to a ccrn review by Dr. laura gasparis vonfrollio gret review. I did this and got a book with review questions by the same person. 3 months of general overview, and i passed this week.

fibikunle1 · Dec 12, 2004

thanks for your help.

I went to a ccrn review by Dr. laura gasparis vonfrollio gret review. I did this and got a book with review questions by the same person. 3 months of general overview, and i passed this week.

mu to ku · Dec 28, 2004

I took the CCRN exam this past October. The one and only study aid I used was a book called "Pass CCRN". This was a great resource tool. The CCRN exam has changed and now is only 125 or 150 questions, I cannot remember. 25 of those questions do not count towards your score b/c they are "quality control questions". I you have a very strong clinical experience and understand patient/family interactions you should do just fine.

In the ICU I work at there were about 8 of us that have taken the CCRN exam the past 4 months and all of us have passed the 1st time. Good luck.

boywonder12 · Dec 31, 2004

I was wondering if you guys have any suggestion about the best way to prepare for CCRN and the best book/s to buy. What is the length of time to adequately prepare through self study?.
Thanks in advance.

I took the CCRN for the first time in September, and passed it without a problem. I attended a CCRN review course by Kay Hoppe in Fargo in May and then studied the "Pass CCRN" book by Dennison. For about 3 weeks before the test, I took as many practice tests as I could to get in the mindset.

Some of my co-workers who have been critical care nurses for over 10 years have a hard time believing they could pass the CCRN. They have alot more than what I had......critical care clinical experience. I found that I did better on the CEN earlier this year because I was an ER nurse for 5 years before I was a SCCU nurse; I've only been in the SCCU for about a year.

It's a great credential to have.....and from my research....the CRNA schools like to see individuals who have gone the extra mile and gotten the certification.