CCRN 2019

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Specializes in Neuro/Trauma ICU, ER.

I just wanted to post some encouragement and info about the CCRN this year. If you're like me, you've been searching all over the internet for study tips and resources. I bought the PASS CCRN question bank (Qbank) on Elsevier as well as the Barrons CCRN EXAM book. I did not use the PASS CCRN book at all because it is way too much information, and far more in depth than what you would ever need to know for the exam. I pulled up the Qbank at work, and anytime I wasn't providing pt care or charting I would crank out questions. If I was home, I would be studying the Barrons Book. Between Qbank and Barrons I would estimate total study time between 50-75 hours over three months. I was regularly getting 69-70% on my 150-question practice exams.

Well, the CCRN was much easier. I took it on 3/29/19 and passed with 108 questions. It was much easier than the PASS or Barrons questions. Understand your hemodynamics and don't underestimate the practice you need on ethics/caring.

Good luck!

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Specializes in CCU.

Thanks so much for posting this! I have been looking for current posts and am having trouble finding info. I’ve been studying Barron’s through and and through. I tried to purchase the qbank and somehow ended up with the pdf version of the book which is not at all what I wanted. So is there a way that I can purchase only the questions?

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Specializes in IMCU/ICU.

Thanks, I could use some encouragement. I have a PCCN but have been hesitant to take the CCRN because I am only routinely scoring about 60% using the AACN pocket prep practice question app for Android. I bought the AACN Burn's textbook but it's too much information and my learning style is more kinetic/auditory than reading. Scoring so low is very deflating. I may try the Gasparis videos instead.

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Specializes in CCU.

Well today I sat for the CCRN exam and passed. It was actually pretty difficult. I used the Barron’s book mostly (read it 5 times, made note cards at least 3 of the times) and I read the whole Kaplan book from beginning to end once. I also listened to the reviews on YouTube (CCRN Lifelong Nursing), and a few other materials...but mostly just the Barron’s and YouTube. I would definitely recommend to keep taking questions. I also took the SAE exam offered by AACN about a week ago which was helpful in how it mimics the actual test. I highly recommend Barron’s, it’s a nice book with a lot of visuals.

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I took the Exam this morning and I passed!! Yayyyy CRNA school next up!

2 months on and off study time; (4 year in practice CCU; MICU, NeuroTrauma) I used PassCCRN questionnaire and reviewed the heart patho in the passccrn book also took the Lori Brown CCRN review last year 2018. I hope this helps also PassCCRN sample questions are on the real exam almost 10 or more from my count??

GOOD LUCK!!! But you probable won’t need it?????????

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Specializes in CVICU, CCRN.

Thanks for the encouragement! It helps a lot ? ! Ive been studying for it for almost a year, ever since I came off orientation!

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Specializes in Trauma and Cardiovascular ICU.

My biggest pointer for CCRN is just to do a bunch of questions and make sure to read and UNDERSTAND the rationale. Anything you don't full understand, go look it up; read in a book, Google, or even better find a YouTube video to explain it. There's so much to critical care that you can't possibly know it all but over time and with practice you can learn to look at the questions the way they want you too and can often times reason through much of what you don't "know."

Good luck!

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Congrats! I just took mine last week and passed. This website really gave me good guidance on how to study. So here is my advice: I studied for 1 month. Week one listening to aacn ccrn review. Week 2 listening to Laura G CDs. Week 3 and 4 doing 150 questions 4-5 days a week. The test it self was much easier than the PASS ccrn question bank. But it gave me confidence and as I was taking the test I felt like I was getting questions right.

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What’s the highest score anyone has gotten on the CCRN

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Specializes in CCRN-CMC (MSICU).
On 7/5/2019 at 10:39 PM, nurseq77 said:

What’s the highest score anyone has gotten on the CCRN

I'm not sure of the highest score anyone has gotten, but I scored a 118/125 by reading the AACN's Essentials of Critical Care, Barron's CCRN review book, going through AACN's online review course, and doing tons of PASS CCRN questions. I personally thought the practice questions were harder than the actual exam. Hope that helps!

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On 7/5/2019 at 10:39 PM, nurseq77 said:

What’s the highest score anyone has gotten on the CCRN

Hey so I took my ccrn recently and failed ? very disappointed in myself. But anyway, was the AACN review course helpful? I read barons and did the pass ccrn book and questions and failed so looking for other things that might be helpful.

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Specializes in Cardiothoracic ICU.
On 7/19/2019 at 4:46 PM, Rn0126 said:

Hey so I took my ccrn recently and failed ? very disappointed in myself. But anyway, was the AACN review course helpful? I read barons and did the pass ccrn book and questions and failed so looking for other things that might be helpful.

Keep your head up Rn0126, now that you’ve seen the test you know what to expect. You also know your weakest areas, focus on those. I took the test 7/11 and passed with 109/125. I studied for one month. I have 1 year of experience in a smaller adult icu. I used Barron’s averaging 70-80% on the end of the chapter quizzes. I also completed both comprehensive tests in back. Anything that I didn’t understand I looked it up. I also purchased the Nicole Kupchik Ace the CCRN book and review questions. I found her content easier to digest and never completed her tests ( I ran out of time.). However, I skimmed the questions and they are similar to the CCRN questions, I would recommend this!!! Lastly, the single most important thing I did was questions, lots and lots of questions. Especially my weak areas. I used the Pass CCRN question bank and did every cardiac and multi system question until I understood the main ideas. In the end CCRN is a test and you eventually figure out “how to take it”.

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