CCRN review book??

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Specializes in MICU for 4 years, now PICU for 3 years!.

Does anyone on here have a great recommendation for a CCRN review book? I am looking to take that test soon, but want a review book to help me. I used the Saunder's book when I was studying for my NCLEX and it was awesome. Anything like that for CCRN??? Thanks!! ;)

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The new Pass CCRN! book just came out this year.

Search for it "Pass CCRN!" at amazon.

You'll find that it's all-inclusive - lots of information.

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Specializes in LPN school.

Gasparis CCRN review questions book

the pass CCRN CD is great, the book has too much info, much like the AACN core curriculum (my opinion).

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I found Gasparis to be "ALL STYLE, NO SUBSTANCE". Her whole take on auras, etc. was a bit much for me. (the whole discussion about having her nursing students "lay hands upon" a person with chest pain and S4 on auscultation). Has she had anything updated recently (before the guidelines changes)?

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Specializes in LPN school.
I found Gasparis to be "ALL STYLE, NO SUBSTANCE". Her whole take on auras, etc. was a bit much for me. (the whole discussion about having her nursing students "lay hands upon" a person with chest pain and S4 on auscultation). Has she had anything updated recently (before the guidelines changes)?

??? I've seen the videos and read the question review book and I never heard anything about auras or laying hands on someone?? Which video section/review question are you referring to?

I have the AACN DVDs/core curriculum, the PASS CCRN stuff, and the gasparis review book/dvds, and IMO the gasparis stuff is the easiest to listen to.

Again, my opinion, but from what I saw in the DVD's, AACN generally covers the same things (although they tend to go into greater detail on some points), but is much more dry/boring.

I'm testing on the 24th of this month

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Yes, Gasparis is entertaining - but wasn't particularly helpful in the testing booth.

I was referring to the cardiology disk - the heart murmur section. She speaks about how she brought in a bunch of nursing students to touch her patient who was having chest pain. She had them all touch him, so that when the NTG was administered and the S4 resolved, all the nursing students would have an "ah-hah!" moment. This increased his aura and made him better (according to Gasparis).

I just don't find the usefulness of 20 minutes of this BS in a certification review. It's all fine and good if you personally believe in auras, therapeutic touch, etc - but to spend the time during a certification review? Auras and therapeutic touch are not on the exam. I myself put more faith in evidence-based healthcare - and I thought that was what we were trying, as a profession, to transition to.

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BTW - Burnt, I saw the thread about your kiddo to be. Congratulations, and hope all goes well

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.
I found Gasparis to be "ALL STYLE, NO SUBSTANCE". Her whole take on auras, etc. was a bit much for me. (the whole discussion about having her nursing students "lay hands upon" a person with chest pain and S4 on auscultation). Has she had anything updated recently (before the guidelines changes)?

I saw Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio LIVE two years ago. She was awesome and I don't recall anything about laying hands upon patients. I took the CCRN exam 6 months after her seminar and I passed.

I recommend her to anyone to pass the exam. I also purchased her review book with questions and her tapes.....I also used the CD from Pass CCRN....the book was too much info for my liking.

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Specializes in Travel Nursing, ICU, tele, etc.

I took the CCRN exam on 8/20/07 and passed it! I highly recommend Dr Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio's material. I don't know what you are talking about either with the chest pain and the auras, that certainly isn't part of the review course I have of hers. I also have David Woodruff's course which I find is comparable in content, but not nearly as well taught. Dr Laura is able to teach in a way that helps you remember and her content is never boring. I LOVE her imitations of heart sounds and have been practicing since to try to come close to her ability to do that! Her question book with answers and rationales are very useful as well. Also, the Dennison CD of questions that comes with that Pass CCRN books is invaluable. It correlated directly to the total score I received when I passed CCRN. It will be a great gage to you to see how you are coming along in absorbing the material.

I would invite you to join our thread under Cardiac ICU. Good luck!

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