pccn

limabean · Apr 4, 2006

hello...I am taking the PCCN in May also. I wish I could offer us both some advice. I was hoping there would be some responses to your question, but I dont think many people have taken the exam. Have you looked at the AACN website? It has a list of all the topics to study up on. Good luck to you! I hope we both pass!

telefloornurse · Apr 5, 2006

hi lima

i've taken a pccn review course provided by our hospital. I'm studying the review info they given me. also i looked on the website that the ccrn exam review book is also helpful. I got that from amazon. the rationale was very helpful.

good luck

Nurseboy1 · Apr 5, 2006

Hey ladies,

When I was preparing for the PCCN exam, I took a 2 day review course that was offered through the hospital that I work for. They paid for Leanna Miller to come and give us a structured review.

One thing to keep in mind is that they are no longer looking for minimum competency, such as when you took boards.

Read up on the synergy model that you can find on the website for the AACN: http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/vwdoc/SynModel?opendocument About 20% of your questions will come from this model.

I cannot disclose information regarding specific test questions per the confidentiality agreement with the AACN.

However that being said, the test does have percentages of items from certain body systems, the bulk of the items being cardiac, respiratory, GI, and synergy model. I am assuming from your screen name that you work in a telemetry or cardiac area, that will be an asset for you, however you need to know general information about all of the body systems. If you don't work with transplant patients review transplant meds and states of rejection.

It would be helpful to review ABG interpretation if you do not routinely interpret ABGs. You also need to be familiar with ventilator modes since there are stepdowns that manage chronic vents. Along with vent modes you need to know about complications of the vent such as infection, barotrauma, or how to handle accidental decannulation of the patient.

Most of all DON'T OVERSTRESS!!!!!!! No the test is not easy, but it can be done. Remeber you don't have to make a hundred, if you don't know the answer make the most educated guess that you can.

Good luck

telefloornurse · Apr 6, 2006

thanks nurse boy

you advice is very helpful. there are so much more i need to study. i'm just finish with the cardiac section and done with review questions on cardiac too.

i'm going to take the paper pencel test at the nti in may.

the review course i've taken was taught by ann brorson. it was helpful.

:lol2: just want to know how long did you study before taking the test if you don't mind telling me and what was your study strategy??

i find it helpful going through the ccrn question book with rationale.

limabean · Apr 6, 2006

tele....why are you taking the paper and pencil test if you dont mind me asking? Is there an advantage?

I also bought the CCRN book called "Pass CCRN." It is helpful but I have found that it has so much information I find it hard to decipher what I need to study. I was able to borrow some review tapes and CD's to listen to and they were VERY helpful.

Nurseboy1 · Apr 7, 2006

While granted there is not a large amount of study material available for PCCN, I have to caution you against relying on CCRN test-prep materials. The focus of the CCRN and PCCN are different. CCRN looks to the sudden acute issues with focuses on the more invasive forms of monitoring. PCCN focuses more on chronic health issues with focus on acute exacerbations of the chronic conditions.

My study strategy was to read the matherials provided by the review course, and take the online assessment test offered through the AACN websites.

Hope this helps

telefloornurse · Apr 7, 2006

HI LIMAI DON'T KNOW WHETHER THERE IS A DIFFERENCE ON TAKING THE PAPER PENCIL TEST. WHAT DO YOU THINK NURSE BOY?

THANKS NURSE BOY FOR THAT ADVICE. MY FRIEND AND i ARE TAKING THE TEST ON MAY TOGETHER. WE WILL TAKE THE PCCN ONLINE ASSESSMENT TEST.

Nurseboy1 · Apr 9, 2006

The only difference between the computer and the pencil and paper exam is the timing of the results. Taking the test on computer will let you know as soon as you submit the test whether you passed or failed. You have to wait for the paper and pencil test to be graded and mailed to you before you know the results, otherwise it is exactly the same test only in a different format.

BTW: Typing in all caps means you are shouting online.

limabean · May 16, 2006

Hey telefloornurse....I was just wondering if you have taken your exam yet and how you thought it went. I just recently took my exam and I thought it was pretty darn tough but I passed. Good luck if you are still waiting!

telefloornurse · May 16, 2006

hi lima bean,

i'm taking it on may22

i feel ready. do you expected the test would be like this when you study for it?

what study materials did you use?

did you take the self assessment test from aacn?

telefloornurse · May 16, 2006

:balloons: :biggringi :yeah:

i'm so happy for you. congrats!