Certification Exams .... Harder than NCLEX?

[crbetts]

So I had my annual review yesterday. My first year as an RN is over! And I got a pay raise! Must be doing something right :-)

Anyway, my nurse manager wants me to persue certification as a progressive care (step down) nurse (PCCN exam) Has anyone ever taken this exam? I guess it's similar to the CCRN exams for ICU nurses. Did you find it easier or harder than the NCLEX, or about the same?

[JzK CCRN]

It might be long, but it's been my journey...

I wanted to sit for board exams back in 2017/2018. Learned there a difference bn BC and CSMRN. Life got in the way and then I learned about CCRN and realized that the knowledge of CCRN is where I want to be. 

Starting in 2018, first review course I did was audio tapes from Laura Gasparus - and they are GREAT!

Then I did CE-DIRECT , my hospital offers it to staff, medsurge review class and CCRN/PCCN review. 

I went back and adjusted my notes from Gasparus lectures and did Gasparus Video review course (older videos are available on YouTube). 

Then I got PCCN review book, hit it cover to cover with it's questions. 

Went back to CE direct and did updated PCCN/ccrn review - much better then older class.

Throughout all of this, life was getting in the way of the exams and I couldn't sit for them.

AACN has ECCO course and I did that one. In mids of it, I got an opportunity to get into ICU. 

(From 2014-2022 I was medsurge/tele/infection disease//vent/geriatric/psych unit. 2020-2022 I was on modified PCU as well - it was formed out of necessity during that time).

Finally got an opportunity to get into ICU.last review course I did was Kupchnik CCRN and used her material as the bases to sit for CCRN Boards. 

NCLEX is based on 2 nursing principals: Safety and Dignity where 80+% of Qs are targeted with that in mind. 

Specialty boards are more about managing pts with these issues. 

I don't think CCRN was hard, but DEFINITELY challenging: if I tell you to pick up 50dumbbell, it'll be hard if you never done that before BUT, if every day, you lift 10lbs dumbbell at around 3-4x a day, after a month, that original 50lbs won't be hard... Some Qs are challenging and have to really understand physiology and pathophysiology of the disease but with preparation and practice Qs, it is possible. 

That being said, take your time, study, then PAY for the exam, buy Qbank and remember - you just spend $400 and it won't be wasted ? - get PCCN after your name and as soon as you do (hopefully you're facility reimburses you) go and sit for CCRN exam (if your manager would sign off on you ?) . 

Nearly every intensivist is double boarded, we, RNs, should have at least one. 

Good Luck, come and show us your certificate when you earned it!