Failed CCRN again

Specialties Critical

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So I'm sure this sounds terrible and I would probably be silently judging if I were reading this about someone else but I have taken the CCRN 3 times now and cannot seem to pass. I'm sure knowing this it is difficult to believe that I am a good nurse and not to toot my own horn but I really am. I have been a nurse for almost 8 years, majority of which has been in ICU. Again I don't want to sound conceited I'm just trying to explain my frustrations and ask or beg for some guidance. I just want to give up. I took the CCRN twice last year before the new test plans rolled out and no lie got an 88 on both. I'm sure you all know but you have to have an 89 to pass and that isn't percentage. I literally missed by 1 question twice. The first time I purchased the Laura Gasparis DVDs, read an entire CCRN Kaplan version book and took tons of practice questions. The second time I took the exam just a couple weeks later after studying my butt off bc I though for sure I would pass since I was so close. I wanted to retest prior to the revamping of the exam in October. Well I failed again by 1 question. I sat for the CCRN yesterday and to say I was nervous is an understatement. I literally studied my butt off. Studied the DVDs, watched the Laura Gasparis DVDs, did practice exam after practice exam from the PASS CCRN book, and purchased the AACN online review course and went over every powerpoint over and over. I felt very prepared. I could not believe the difference from the previous test plan to the new test plan. I couldn't believe how difficult it was. I literally had to speed through the last 20 questions because I was about to run out of time. There were topics and questions on the exam that I never remembered being on the blue print nor do I think the majority of critical care nurses had ever heard of let alone knew the answer. I was shaking so badly when I finished and she handed me my results. I couldn't even look at them until I got to my car. I took a deep breath and unfolded my result paper and burst into tears. Someone or something must hate me or maybe I am just not meant to pass this fricking exam as my score was an 86....ONE QUESTION AWAY FROM PASSING AGAIN!!!! You have to have an 87 to pass with the new test plans. I wanted to die. I began sobbing and called my husband. I just want to give up. I terrified of failing again but passing this exam is truly a huge goal of mine that I can't seem to accomplish. My goal for when I grow up (lol) is to go to CRNA school but I can't even seem to pass this exam. Now I truly have doubts of being able to ever pass CRNA school. I just don't even know what to do. I've changed my studying style, spent a ton of money on different predictor exams and study guides and review courses and for some reason I get so frazzled that I can't remember anything when I get in there. Please help. I am so discouraged.

Ok so here is my two cents. It is obvious you are not dumb. That test is rediculous. I do not know personally, but I have reviewed prep tests and content plans. I am getting ready to graduate nursing schoool which is sort of irrelevant. I have done ems for about 8 years and when I first took my licensure exam, I FAILED EVERY SECTION! I was so beat down I waited almost a year before I took the test again. I knew deep down I was more than qualified and intelligent to pass that test. I was sooo disappointed in myself. I mean there were people who passed it that I know were way dumber that I am, not to toot my own horn. After I recovered, I did alot, I mean alot of self examination. The first thing I can tell you is to absolutely stop beating yourself up. It is a test. It doesnt mean you suck as a nurse if you dont pass it. There are plenty of nurses who are damn good ones that dont have anything but RN behind their name. So first of all know that. Now, you are already an RN. In an icu. The most specialized we can get as RNs. You are obviously dedicated to your craft and would do anything to gain that crlcrn status. Did you ever stop to think that you are doing too much review and are not slowing down.....wayyy down to concentrate on the core content that im sure you know like the back of your hand? I have seen my fellow students fail horribly, by more than one question, I can guarantee that. If you are willing to consider what I have to say, slow down, concentrate on the core content and build from there, making sure that wvery extra piece is just as solid as the core material you know. Then own that ****. You have busted your butt to get where you are. You have spent the money, cried the tears and burnt the midnight oil. Now all you need to be a ccrn is you! The next time you go to take the test, forget the three previous" failures" they were learning experiences. So before you even register to take that test, know you are a ccrn! Know it and own it! That mentality saved my ass and I passed with flying colors, above average in all sections. I know you can do this, your family knows you can do this, so go freakin do it!

i think the pass ccrn questions are great.

i think some of the questions on the test I took came from Morgan and mikhail clinical anesthesia. I learned a lot from reading that book.

also maybe you were just unlucky, it's possible. Or maybe multiple choice tests aren't your strong suit. You can still do it!

Keep going and you will pass it.

What helped me was i set a goal of at least 50 questions a day with pass CCRN and that helped immensely! Their rationales are really helpful. I feel like the CCRN ( like other multiple choice exams) isn't just testing your knowledge but how well you can answer multiple choice questions. The more you practise, the better you will understand their reasoning behind selecting certain answers and I think that is the key! You can do it! All the best on your next test

Specializes in Cardiac/Transplant ICU, Critical Care.

Try doing the Pass CCRN book, when you read the rationales, write it down as pieces of information because there are a lot of common themes.

Here's what I did and I recommend. The Laura DVD's are a good study tool, but not necessary. Do not do the Kaplan CCRN study tool either. Get Pass CCRN book because not only is the book give you the in-depth details you need to answer questions, it has an online test bank of over 1000 questions. All these questions give you a rational for the answer which is awesome. Second, get the certification and review book 6th edition and the exam book which is the 72 page one, both from the AACN bookstore. Lastly, they give you the blueprint, so make your own study guide on each topic and put in your own words and mindset. If your long term plans are to go to CRNA school, there will be a lot of hiccups along the way and you need keep trucking on. I have just been accepted into CRNA school and CCRN is a good certificate have to back up your ICU knowledge. Good luck!

I took the PCCN. I was told the questions are the same except this test do not have hemodynamics and ventilator questions. I actually watched USMLE reviews on youtube and PASS CCRN book. Hope this helps.

I took the PCCN. I was told the questions are the same except this test do not have hemodynamics and ventilator questions. I actually watched USMLE reviews on youtube and PASS CCRN book. Hope this helps.

That may be superficially true, but there are A LOT of hemodynamics questions on the CCRN, including Swans, IABPs, and other things you just will never seen on step-down or tele. Apples and oranges.

Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

Wow. That is so so frustrating. Hugs to you. Take a couple months off. Don't even study for like two months, then do a review for like a week. Maybe with a fresh mind you can calm your nerves (if that's what it is at this point) and PASS.

Specializes in CCRN, ED, Unit Manager.
That may be superficially true, but there are A LOT of hemodynamics questions on the CCRN, including Swans, IABPs, and other things you just will never seen on step-down or tele. Apples and oranges.

Interesting. I didn't get an IABP question on my exam.

That may be superficially true, but there are A LOT of hemodynamics questions on the CCRN, including Swans, IABPs, and other things you just will never seen on step-down or tele. Apples and oranges.

I studied PASS CCRN because that is the book they are not selling any PCCN review books so I believe they are more similar although there are questions on vents and hemo that is lacking in the PCCN. But whatever.

Specializes in I/DD.

Let's start with telling you that your experience sounds awful! To be so close three exams in a row... I can imagine how frustrated you are. But you clearly have the capacity and experience to be able to pass the exam, so don't give up!

I used the PASS CCRN book as well, I am a MICU nurse so I focused most of my studying in cardiac and hemodynamics, as my exposure to that is pretty limited. I spent a lot of time studying 12-lead EKG interpretation, learning what leads corresponded to what coronary vessels and so on, and I was glad I did. I think I had 4-5 questions covering that alone. A key test taking strategy for me is that as soon as I enter the exam room, before I even start looking at questions, I write down EVERY bit of key information that I can think of, that I am liable to forget if I freak out during the exam. I basically make my own study guide from the information that I had memorized, then I use it as a reference throughout the exam. It will save you thinking time in the long run. I don't know all of the changes that they made to the exam but I am assuming they still give you scrap paper? I ask make good use of the marking tools, if I am stuck on a question I don't spend forever agonizing over it. Pick the best option, mark it, and return to it when you are done with the overall test. More often than not my first instinct was right and I wouldn't need to change my answer.

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