New CCRN format?

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Specializes in CVICU.

Just wondering if anyone had any thoughts or advice about the new CCRN test. My understanding is that the content of the exam will be the same and therefore all the "old" study guides, books, dvds, etc. will still be valuable. The only difference being that the percentages of the content will change to 80% clinical and 20% ethical stuff. And within that 80% clinical portion, they have decreased the percentage of cardiac questions and possibly some others to make it a little more well rounded.

I know there have been several threads about how to study for CCRN but in light of the new version of the CCRN exam, does anyone have any good suggestions about which materials to use? I am already going to borrow the Laura G. cd's but would like to know of some other well respected tools to study for the test. Thanks!

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Specializes in multispecialty ICU, SICU including CV.

I took the new exam (I re-certed by exam, I had a baby and didn't get in the continuing ed) and it was fine. There are some more practical questions that fall into the 20%, so it is a little less A&P/pathophysiology/pharmacology etc. than it used to be.

I did get a study guide -- wasn't going to, but I ended up doing it simply because of these changes. I would recommend going to Amazon and getting A BRAND NEW ONE -- 2009 publishing date or later -- with a CD with a couple of exams on it. I took the sample exams primarily to study as they are the same mix of questions that will fall into the actual test. That is all I did and I had no problem passing with minimal studying (of course, it was my second time around with it though.) I don't know anything about Laura Gasparis besides that she is out there (I know other people swear by her though) and she does critical care stuff.

I think if your knowledge base is strong and if you know what is going to be covered by the exam you should be fine. A good study book will run you through the exam content section by section, so look for that too. Best of luck.

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Specializes in CVICU/SICU-MICU/OR/PACU.

:lol2:Just took the CCRN yesterday and passed with 89%. I used the Critical care cram book by Vonfolio and the PASS CCRN review book CD. I also had some audio CD's from TRENDS. This was all I needed to pass. The ICU I worked was at a hectic trauma center where I took care of tons of sick folks. I learned alot and paid off when it came to passing. There was alot of neuro on the exam and hemodynamics,which were my weak areas. Spend time on what you don't know and you will make up the points in areas you know very well. Hope this helps. H.H, RN,BSN,CCRN.:p:yeah:

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Specializes in SICU/Trauma, CCRN-CMC.

I took the new format and just used the Laura G. dvds and the pass ccrn cd for questions to pass the test. I felt that the questions on the pass ccrn cd were harder than the ones on the actual test.

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Specializes in cicu,pccu.

how long did you guys study for ccrn exam..i.e. hours a day and weeks before taking exam? do you recommend watching laura gasparos dvds first , take notes and then start practicing ccrn questions on pass ccrn cd?

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Specializes in med-surg, step-down, ICU/CCU, ED.
how long did you guys study for ccrn exam..i.e. hours a day and weeks before taking exam? do you recommend watching laura gasparos dvds first , take notes and then start practicing ccrn questions on pass ccrn cd?

^^yeah that's pretty much what I did. Although, I would also do a bunch of Pass CCRN questions focused on the section I was watching/studying for the day.

I passed the exam several weeks ago. I took a month to study, but really buckled down the last two weeks. During those last couple weeks I would take around 6-7 hours during my off days from work and just practice practice practice test questions and review what I was weak on. I also watched the gasparis videos a second time (although I'm not sure if I'd recommend that. It was pretty painful). Gasparis helped a lot, but I don't think I would have passed without PASS CCRN, imo.

When it came down to taking the test I found the questions very similar to the PASS CCRN questions. Predictably I didn't do too well on areas I didn't spend a lot of time on, including psychosocial/behavioral, which I was surprised to find out (they give you a printout of your test results immediately after you complete the exam).

Good luck, I'm sure you will do fine. You are going to feel awesome after you have it out the way.

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Just note that the Laura Gasparis DVDs say they are for the new version of the test but they were really made sometime in 2003 or 2004. The DVDs have not been updated just the little booklet has been. She seems to be an awesome educator but I think it would be scary to put your faith in medical information that is so dated. It would be awesome if she created a more modern version.

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