CCRN

iceyv3 · Jun 15, 2016

I have been putting this test off for far too long. Finally going to take it soon because of other deadlines. I'm also using the PASS CCRN. I'm trying to go through the questions and rationales. Taking notes as I go. I'm also wondering if I should buy the AACN self assessment test.

Bluebolt · Jun 15, 2016

I was working in a cardiac ICU last year when I took and passed the CCRN.

I used that exact book and typically just did questions over and over on the computer with the program they provided. The test is heavily focused on cardiac including swann number interpretation. Not just SVR means this but if the SVR is this and you gave this many mg of this type of med what would happen to (insert another swann number). It even asked me specific mg of an obscure cardiac drug that I would (prescribe) for a patient with CHF.

The questions are random so you may get a rough test with a high number of killer hard questions or you may get a blend of reasonable questions. I took the test twice and noticed a significant difference in difficulty between the two tests, which is why you hear from some people that the test was "easy" for them.

Good luck to you, drill those questions for a couple months until you're scoring probably an 80 or higher without much difficulty. Take the test, don't stress if you fail the first time. Retake it and just keep moving.

oldandintheway · Jun 15, 2016

Sorry to poach on your thread, but is there any benefit to an Emergency Department Nurse pursuing this certification? I currently hold CEN and CPEN but have a great interest in the whole continuum of care. My Director has told me that ED time does qualify as Critical Care.

iceyv3 · Jun 15, 2016

I was working in a cardiac ICU last year when I took and passed the CCRN.
I used that exact book and typically just did questions over and over on the computer with the program they provided. The test is heavily focused on cardiac including swann number interpretation. Not just SVR means this but if the SVR is this and you gave this many mg of this type of med what would happen to (insert another swann number). It even asked me specific mg of an obscure cardiac drug that I would (prescribe) for a patient with CHF.
The questions are random so you may get a rough test with a high number of killer hard questions or you may get a blend of reasonable questions. I took the test twice and noticed a significant difference in difficulty between the two tests, which is why you hear from some people that the test was "easy" for them.
Good luck to you, drill those questions for a couple months until you're scoring probably an 80 or higher without much difficulty. Take the test, don't stress if you fail the first time. Retake it and just keep moving.

Thank you for your tip Bluebolt.

Bluebolt · Jun 15, 2016

Sorry to poach on your thread, but is there any benefit to an Emergency Department Nurse pursuing this certification? I currently hold CEN and CPEN but have a great interest in the whole continuum of care. My Director has told me that ED time does qualify as Critical Care.

You're manager is sadly mistaken. Look up the AACN website and see their criteria. ICU is the only dept that qualifies and they get specific about details. Not to mention you would have to learn everything artificially through pounding questions and reading materials to hope to pass, you wouldn't have the organic knowledge expected to pass the exam. It's specific to ICU type questions and knowledge. Do you manage PA catheters and titrate drips without an MD in the ED? That was a rhetorical question.

oldandintheway · Jun 15, 2016

You're manager is sadly mistaken. Look up the AACN website and see their criteria. ICU is the only dept that qualifies and they get specific about details. Not to mention you would have to learn everything artificially through pounding questions and reading materials to hope to pass, you wouldn't have the organic knowledge expected to pass the exam. It's specific to ICU type questions and knowledge. Do you manage PA catheters and titrate drips without an MD in the ED? That was a rhetorical question.

I understand what you are saying, however I did not come to the ED from a vacuum. I would not be artificially pounding questions, I do have a broader experience base. My question is would there be any value in the context of continuum of care. By the way ED does qualify for renewal.

Susie2310 · Jun 16, 2016

Sorry to poach on your thread, but is there any benefit to an Emergency Department Nurse pursuing this certification? I currently hold CEN and CPEN but have a great interest in the whole continuum of care. My Director has told me that ED time does qualify as Critical Care.

My thoughts: Why wouldn't there be a benefit to an ED nurse in increasing their knowledge of taking care of critically ill patients? If you go to the AACN web site you can see the eligibility requirements for yourself and find out more information about the exam. From my reading on the web site you are eligible to take the exam.

CritcareRN13 · Jun 17, 2016

Hello! I studied using the PASS CCRN question bank and I was very successful. I recommend knowing your STEMI's like the back of your hand! EKG leads, corresponding coronary arteries, symptoms for each & potential complications. Also, knowing your swan numbers is a must. Meds that effect preload/afterload.

Hope that helps :)

AgentBeast, MSN, RN · Jun 17, 2016

I literally just showed up for the test. Didn't study or prepare at all and scored a 117 on the exam. It is not that hard of an exam just use common sense.

MurseJJ · Jun 21, 2016

You're manager is sadly mistaken. Look up the AACN website and see their criteria. ICU is the only dept that qualifies and they get specific about details. Not to mention you would have to learn everything artificially through pounding questions and reading materials to hope to pass, you wouldn't have the organic knowledge expected to pass the exam. It's specific to ICU type questions and knowledge. Do you manage PA catheters and titrate drips without an MD in the ED? That was a rhetorical question.

Not sure if things have changed in the years since I worked in an ED (around 2007-2009), but I remember one of the nurses I worked with did obtain CCRN.

Bluebolt · Jun 21, 2016

However some nurses may have been able to obtain their CCRN when not actively working in the ICU is irrelevant. The CCRN is well known as the ICU's certification just as the ED has their own certification and med surg and tele have their own.

It's simply false advertising to obtain a certification for a specialty that you do not work in. Maybe if you worked a specialty for many years and recently switched or perhaps are cross trained and consistently work both specialties it would be appropriate. Otherwise please don't try to falsely advertise certifications for depts that you don't work in.

If you do not manage vents (long term, not for a few hours until you transfer to ICU) initiate drips and titrate them without a doctor around, manage your own sedation, manage IABP's, CRRTs, Rotoprone therapy, maintain PA catheters, shoot your numbers, interpret them, Ventric drains, the list goes on and on. The ICU is completely different from the ED, thus there are two separate certifications for the depts.

Point made. discussion over.