CCRN testing help

Circejane · Jul 10, 2012

How are you doing on practice exams?

sethmctenn · Jul 10, 2012

Just don't tell anyone you are taking it and give it a whirl. Think of it as a practice exam that will let you know how you need to do. Plan on taking it again. If you pass, it'll be awesome. If you don't, your pride isn't hurt. It's just to get the experience. After two years of study, you've invested a lot of time. That time is valuable. A test fee is not that much more to invest. Don't study the night before. Get up early and have a cup of coffee and a good breakfast.

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 10, 2012

eek i feel opposite of sethmctenn! the test fee is a lot of money and work won't reimburse the partial that they do now if you fail it the first time! planning on taking mine at the end of the month, and probably way overstudying but also worried about failing. just can't help it.

Bec7074 · Jul 10, 2012

I'm taking mine in about a month and really nervous. It is a lot of money but my institution will reimburse if you pass the first time-that is motivation!!! What are you guys doing to study? I bought Pass CCRN and a practice exam for Kindle only. I've made notecards and have done lots of practice questions. I have moments when I think I'll do great and then others where I'm so scared! Boooo

detroitdano · Jul 10, 2012

If you've done two years of studying, and are working at the bedside, you'll be fine. Don't overstudy though, and like was mentioned, don't study the day before. Wake up the day of the test, eat a nice breakfast/lunch and just relax. It's not like you'll be fired if you fail, you're just out a couple bucks.

I studied hardcore for about 2 months, but on and off for a year. I read the entire PASS CCRN book, which I don't recommend as it's way too freaking long. I did that over the course of a year. I then listened to the Laura Gasparis DVD's, Cammy-House Fancher DVD's and did practice tests off the PASS CCRN DVD. The week before the test I relistened to DVD's I wanted to hone in on. I highly advise this, as cardiac and pulmonary are really big areas to study. Just comb over your problem areas.

The day of, I went to lunch at a burger joint just down the street from the testing center. They serve up the best most nasty greasy cheeseburgers around. That and some fries had me feeling like post-Turkey day dinner, in a good way LOL. Had me relaxed. And I passed with flying colors.

Good luck!

missnurse01, MSN, RN · Jul 11, 2012

I am reading Kaplan's right now, have the passccrn cd for questions, and watching laura G. nearly everyone at my work has taken and passed it over the past few years, so hoping with similar study materials I will do fine! Want to take it by the end of July so I can study for the GRE and get that over with in august!

me

Bec7074 · Jul 12, 2012

I am reading Kaplan's right now, have the passccrn cd for questions, and watching laura G. nearly everyone at my work has taken and passed it over the past few years, so hoping with similar study materials I will do fine! Want to take it by the end of July so I can study for the GRE and get that over with in august!
me

I used Kaplan for GRE. The flash cards were especially especially helpful!!!!

detroitdano · Jul 12, 2012

I looked through a coworker's Kaplan CCRN book. I thought the practice questions were garbage. They don't cover enough of the meat and potoatoes of the actual exam. Very few actual numbers and medication questions, and a lot more rationale-based questions which aren't really on the CCRN. I mean it can't hurt, but don't let it be the only practice exams you're doing.

haji · Jul 24, 2012

Do the Pass CCRN practice questions like crazy and if you can do well on the practice test you're good to go for the real one.

CrufflerJJ, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Jul 26, 2012

I have been "studying" for my adult CCRN for over 2 years now. I just can't seem to get the nerve to take the test. Any advice? I've never failed anything in my life, but I'm afraid this would be it.

That sounds about like me. I'd been working in our ICU for nearly 3 years, and have "thought" about taking the CCRN exam for the past 2 years. I even bought the Pass CCRN and AACN Core Review book/CDROM back in September of 2010!

What finally helped me DO IT was just plunking down the $225 (AACN member rate) for the exam a couple months ago. Being that I hate to waste money, I knew that this would force me to finally take the exam. I've spent the past 2 months reviewing the CDROMs from the above books, listening to Laura Gasparis CDs, along with the FREE and excellent Cammy House-Fancher CCRN Exam Review podcasts (easily downloaded as MP3) from iTunes.

I took the test yesterday, and passed. It took me about 90 minutes, and I was taking my time making sure that I didn't make too many stupid mistakes by rushing through the questions.