PCCN - I failed by 10 questions

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Hi All Nurses!

I took the PCCN today and failed by 10 points. I used the following aids to study:

1) Took a PCCN review class at a local hospital

2) Reviewed using: PCCN Certification Review (Brorsen, PCCN Certification Review with CD-ROM) and the practice questions

3) Reviewed using:

AACN Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing by Marianne Chulay and Suzanne Burns (Paperback - Dec 7, 2006)

4) Made some flash cards

I did not study with anyone. I studied on my own for 3 months and I looked at All Nurses Forum.

I"m contemplating using David Woodruff guide now.

Specializes in ER, progressive care.
Some advice I found helpful!

1. Look on the AACN's website at their practice alerts (re: pain, alarm fatigue, etc.)

2. Buy the SAE & practice exam ?s from their website, very helpful. More importantly look at the rationales!! (Can't stress that enough!)

3. The Brorsen book questions aren't challenging enough. Buy the Pass CCRN book and use the CD- the practice questions don't 100% relate (some are about vents, etc.) but they are much closer to the questions that are asked on the PCCN exam.

I forgot to mention that I used AACN's SAE practice exam, too. It really helped. And in fact, I had some very similar questions on my PCCN exam.

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I am feeling majorly bummed out, I retook Pccn for the 2nd time today and failed by 1 point, anyone else have trouble passing after 2 attempts? Im feeling discouraged but going to try 1 last time .

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Update I passed yesterday, my 3rd time taking test

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Specializes in Tele, Stepdown, Med/Surg, education.

Just took it today and passed. I can't give you any advice because I really didn't study and what I did cover this past weekend was not on the test. I was only sure of about 10 questions.

I have PASS CCRN, progressive care essentials from aacn, progressive care nursing Ahrens and Urdens Critical care nursing.

Good luck

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Specializes in Tele, Stepdown, Med/Surg, education.

congrats, it was challenging

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Specializes in TCU, ENT, Urology, Telemetry, Stroke,.

Chinesenurse is back and will take pccn again (third time since 2011). I got busy with life (two kids) but I studied for six weeks and feel pretty confident about taking it this time. I only reviewed Nicole Kupchicks book. Will let you know tomorrow.

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Specializes in DOU Cardiac Neuro Telemetry.
On 8/4/2019 at 9:14 AM, ChineseNurse said:

Chinesenurse is back and will take pccn again (third time since 2011). I got busy with life (two kids) but I studied for six weeks and feel pretty confident about taking it this time. I only reviewed Nicole Kupchicks book. Will let you know tomorrow.

Any updates. I’m studying now using Kupchiks

book abs practice tests. I’ve only studied for 1 month.

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