PCCN?

Ted · Apr 14, 2012

I hope to take the PCCN exam sometime by the end of the year. I haven't stared studying for it, yet, unfortunately. Haven't even purchased a study-book for it yet. UGH!

I've had co-workers attend lectures by Dr. Laura Gasparis before. They LOVED her lectures and found them to be quite helpful as they studied for the CCRN exam. Many, many moons ago, I actually talked to her on the phone. We tried to get her involved with a musical that was written back in 1996/1997. She was very gracious and offered much encouragement as we continued on with the production and promotional aspect of this project. Unfortunately, she had scheduling conflicts and didn't have the time to be in the show (so she said). She's a very cool person.

Good luck with your study as you prepare yourself for the PCCN exam. This thread that you just started is challenging me to get on with my studies! UGH! LOL!

Cheers. . . :cheers:

surferbettycrocker · Apr 15, 2012

i am using the ANCC book to study from anyone have any input/luck with these publications for studying for PCCN?

ParvulusPuella · Apr 15, 2012

I'm studying from the ANCC book as well. Seems good so far

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 15, 2012

I thought about buying the ANCC book, too, but I had people recommend that Pass CCRN! book to me so I decided to buy that instead.

I hope to take the PCCN exam sometime by the end of the year. I haven't stared studying for it, yet, unfortunately. Haven't even purchased a study-book for it yet. UGH!
I've had co-workers attend lectures by Dr. Laura Gasparis before. They LOVED her lectures and found them to be quite helpful as they studied for the CCRN exam. Many, many moons ago, I actually talked to her on the phone. We tried to get her involved with a musical that was written back in 1996/1997. She was very gracious and offered much encouragement as we continued on with the production and promotional aspect of this project. Unfortunately, she had scheduling conflicts and didn't have the time to be in the show (so she said). She's a very cool person.
Good luck with your study as you prepare yourself for the PCCN exam. This thread that you just started is challenging me to get on with my studies! UGH! LOL!
Cheers. . . :cheers:

I hope to take it by the end of this year, too! Right now I'm reading the entire review of the Pass CCRN! book and I'll probably read through it again...I'm also doing the practice questions on the CD.

Perhaps attending Dr. Laura Gasparis' lecture will be beneficial to me :) She's got a session near me on June 6th-7th. It costs $200 though, if I register by a certain date.

Thank you and good luck, too! I think we should start a support thread! Or perhaps a random PCCN fact-throwing thread :)

Do-over, ASN, RN · Apr 15, 2012

I've been studying for it. I've got a webinar by a Carol... Can't come up with her last name right now. Also, just got the PCCN book from ACCN "Core Curriculum..."

Right now, hoping to feel confident enough to take the test in the fall/winter. Also working on my BSN, so we'll see. I did some practice questions the other day and I was NOT impressed with myself!

lijahnna · Apr 28, 2012

I am due to take the PCCN next month. I still feel that I am not ready. I studied the Progressive Care Nursing certfication by Ahrens and Prenticee. I also have the AACN book Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing which I didnt dwell on because it has kind of the same content as the former.

I felt that I need to answer more sample questions which is why I recently bought the AACN Certification and Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care by Alspach. IT has 3 comprehensive exams, 150 questions each, and the answers have rationale. This is a study review for the CCRN. I get more correct answers with the questions in this book compared to my PCCN book. I wonder how different the actual exams are going to be...

Will keep u updated.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Apr 28, 2012

I am due to take the PCCN next month. I still feel that I am not ready. I studied the Progressive Care Nursing certfication by Ahrens and Prenticee. I also have the AACN book Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing which I didnt dwell on because it has kind of the same content as the former.
I felt that I need to answer more sample questions which is why I recently bought the AACN Certification and Core Review for High Acuity and Critical Care by Alspach. IT has 3 comprehensive exams, 150 questions each, and the answers have rationale. This is a study review for the CCRN. I get more correct answers with the questions in this book compared to my PCCN book. I wonder how different the actual exams are going to be...
Will keep u updated.

Please do! best of luck to you! :redpinkhe

lijahnna · May 23, 2012

Passed my PCCN exam yesterday! It was hard.. and by the 50th question, I certainly thought Im not gonna pass.

I got a 71. Barely made it. BUt hey, a pass is a pass. Lol

Some questions/topics that I remember:

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome - i think i had 3 questions about this

Prolonged QT interval - what causes it, tx, etc

Pancreatitis - amylase, lipase, albumin (which ones increase/decrease?)

Hyperkalemia treatments - 2 questions

Types of MI and which part of the heart is occluded - 5 questions

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Nov 3, 2012

Passed my PCCN exam yesterday! It was hard.. and by the 50th question, I certainly thought Im not gonna pass.
I got a 71. Barely made it. BUt hey, a pass is a pass. Lol

Some questions/topics that I remember:

Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome - i think i had 3 questions about this
Prolonged QT interval - what causes it, tx, etc
Pancreatitis - amylase, lipase, albumin (which ones increase/decrease?)
Hyperkalemia treatments - 2 questions
Types of MI and which part of the heart is occluded - 5 questions

Sorry, I just saw this now...but congratulations!!!! And thank you for the tips :) I'm still hoping to take the exam by the end of this year, but I still feel like I'm not ready!

ILoveHeartss · Jan 10, 2013

Who else is studying for the PCCN? Any tips from those who have passed the exam?I'm currently using Dennison's Pass CCRN! to review. All of the PCCN books out there didn't seem to get good reviews so I just went with this one. I'm also thinking about going to Dr. Laura Gasparis' CCRN review. Has anyone gone to her reviews?

I just took my test and passed with 77. I used the book "Progressive Care Nursing Certification" by Ahrens, Prentice and Kleinpell. This book is a bit convoluted and you definitely don't need to know ALL the information in that book. I bought the book and began studying 1 month before I took the review course. The review course I took was with Med-Ed, with Cammy-House Fencher as my instructor (who is a very intelligent and knowledgable NP).I studied for 1 month following the review course, honing in on my weaknesses and following the PCCN blueprint on the AACN website. The test is difficult, but doable. I honestly thought around question 70, I failed the exam. I was so relieved to see "Congratulations! you've passed the PCCN Certification Exam". My tips are:1) Study, study, study! Don't think because you've worked in a PCU for a while, that you know all of the information.2) Incorporate your knowledge into your nursing care. You will remember the patient with PE or HF when asked about it on the test.3) If you can, take a review course4) Most importantly, PRAY!!!Best wishes to those who are studying , I hope this information is valuable.

susan.milner · Apr 17, 2013

Hoping to test 5/2013; read that the pass rate was 60%; haven't done floor nursing for years but I do patient assessments daily on stepdown patients.

Any tips?