Failed CCRN again

[Whitroth05]

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.

[VANurse2010]

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.

I'm certified in both, and they are

[PrimeRib]

I don't think it's a terribly advanced step from what one might learn from the step-down or tele environment. New information, yes, but it's not like you're learning to do heart surgery.

Regarding IABPs, I think there are probably three(ish) likely questions that are asked on the CCRN, perhaps worded somewhat differently, or somehow in reverse: "When on an arterial waveform should the IABP inflate?", "What are the goals of IABP therapy?", and then the one where the answer is "late deflation and early inflation". Not exactly rocket science, any nurse who takes a moment to read a paragraph or two about how IABPs work could probably answer those questions.

As for swans... learn the heart anatomy basics and what CVP/RAP, PAP, and PCWP represent and you're probably set.

Perhaps, though, you're right in that these things might require some level of experience to really understand. I'm no expert, just asserting that it isn't probably as difficult as it's made out to be.