CMC- Cardiac Medical Certifcation subspecialty

CCRNdude · May 24, 2016

I took it and passed last week. It was difficult, and I did worse than I thought I did, but I am happy to have passed. I used pass CCRN questions and re-watched the cardio section from the Gasparis videos. Definitely know how to recognize the different shock states with a swanz, different types of heart failures and their treatments, how to treat a right sided vs left sided MI, how to recognize myocardial damage based on 12-lead changes, and read about IABP. The test is basically the CCRN cardio section, but longer and slightly more in depth. I personally didn't do so well on the cardiac section of the CCRN, but I still passed the CMC since I was able to focus on strictly cardiac and was able to put all of my effort towards it. I probably studied a solid two days for it, and it wasn't too bad if you have a decemt critical care base and reasoning skills.

CCRN_CSC_0710 · May 24, 2016

I agree with the PP. I took it a year ago. It was hard, honestly, but I passed. I used the blueprint on the AACN website and CCRN study materials.

If you work in cardiac surgery I'd also suggest taking the CSC. That was really easy because of my tenure in a CVICU.

AJPV · Jul 8, 2016

The hardest part of the CMC exam is the "steel cage" fight at the end when they throw you in a cage with Ronda Rousey. I'm still sore a month later!

offlabel · Jul 9, 2016

What does Cardiac Medical Certification even mean? All of these extra certifications (TNCC, CCRN, CEN etc) don't even guarantee a basic level of skill or knowledge. They're evidence of a passed test. Placing that in the context of clinical practice is another thing entirely.

There is no legal, statutory requirement to have these certs for an RN to practice in CC, or emergency or whatever. The requirement is to be a licensed RN and that's all. Any motivated individual could be as knowledgeable if not more so just by taking time to study and using meaningful CE opportunities.

These are manufactured and artificial hoops that hospitals require that line the pockets of these "certification bodies".

When a nurse is required by the state to have a CEN to walk into the ER just like a paramedic is required to have that certification to work on an ambulance, only then will it mean anything. It would also require far more preparation than a book and a CD.

CCRNdude · Jul 10, 2016

CCRN and CMC are highly regarded by CRNA ADCOMS. I do know that some local flight programs and ICUs give preference to those with the certification. With that being said, I do think that obtaining the certs did help me learn quite a bit. Could I have learned the info without obtaining CCRN and CMC? Absolutely. Would I personally have been motivated to? Probably not. It is nice to have a couple of certs to put on my resume and show employers that I went above and beyond though. Do all employers like additional certs? Maybe not, but mine do, and it was absolutely worth it for me.

Pheebz777, BSN, RN · Jul 19, 2016

Obtaining CCRN, CMC, CSC, CEN etc certifications only solidifies your knowledge in these specific areas. It gauges and strengthens your knowledge in those respective areas of practice. You just cannot take the certifications if you felt like it, you need a number of hours required in practice in a certain area to even be allowed to take those certifications.

Although I agree somewhat to what offlabel had mentioned, having the extra knowledge does help bigtime whether or not you use it clinically in practice.

Jujubear2606 · Jul 29, 2016

Hey everyone!! I Just to follow up with my original post concerning the CMC exam. I did PASS!!!! It was a very hard exam but fair. The outline provided by the aacn was dead on. I bought the practice test book from AACN and also purchased the online CMC review course from the AACN website. I probably listened to the CMC review 5 times all together, and I think the review is about 8-11hours in total. My personal opinion on the AACN review course was that its worth it. The review pretty much follows the outline for the exam and gives you the information you need to pass. The AACN test booklet which I think is 6 dollars if your a member provided 75 questions with answers, but it gave no rationales so I didn't know why I missed the questions that I missed. I also used the PASS CCRN book which was amazing. I only did the cardiac questions which is about 250-300 questions and I would do them over and over until I understood the rational. I don't really remember the exam but there were about 10-12 questions on hemodynamic values and it asked you to provided the diagnosis ex. tamponade, pulmonary HTN, etc couple of straight forward questions about med side effects like dig toxicity, cyanide r/t nitroprusside,. hold Ace inhibitors if pt. with new renal failure. Maybe 1-2 questions about pharmacology. I remember a question about the art line whether the cure was over damped or underdamped. Oh and make sure you review balloon bumps I had about 2 questions on that and also hypothermia protocol and how if affects coagulation. And there was also a rhythm strip as well. Hopefully this post was helpful to anyone deciding to take the CMC exam. and if you have any questions I am more than happy to answer any of them.