deeDawntee

Another tip: I have numerous times been able to insert a foley by "feel" alone. The meatus of the urethra is easily felt, it is an indentation, very distinct. Some women's urethras are away from the privy parts and tucked up practically inside the lady parts, (I have heard that childbirth can distort the anantomy). Of course, if you do it that way, you have to have things well cleansed and as sterile as possible. Give it a try, it works. I have a great track record with foleys and have not had any incedents of UTIs with my foley insertion.

I am just following up on your post from October, how is the studying going? Have you taken the test yet??

You can always purchase Dr Laura's material on her website: greatnurses.com. Also, ebay occasionally will have her stuff on sale cheaper. Cardiac is the biggest focus on the CCRN test. I would start there. Try not to get overwhelmed, because at first there seems to be just too much to learn, but if you take it a little at a time, absorbing as you go, you will learn enough to pass. Just keep a positive attitude and it really isn't as difficult as it may at first seem. You can do it!!

Congratulations on taking the plunge!! Good luck!!

I think you can have it all, Reno!! You don't have to miss out on the nice weather and doing fun things in order to start studying for your CCRN. What materials do you have? How do you like to learn? Perhaps you could make some flash cards and then take them with you. You could listen to CD's in your car... A little every day will win the race... You can do it!!!:yeah: :anpom::anpom::anpom:

Hi redicedtea! What study materials are you using? Any good prep course will give you everything you need to pass. The question you refer to sounds as if it is hyperkalemia secondary to renal failure. You should learn the basic electrolyte abnormalites and how they effect EKGs. Don't let yourself get freaked out. Do you have access to Robin Dennison Donnohoes, PASS CCRN? There is a CD with questions that was invaluable to me in prepartion for the course. Also, Dr Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio teaches in such a way to build confidence. The whole point of certification, IMHO, is to help build confidence and competence in your practice. Don't try to learn everything, it is too overwhelming. The process you are undertaking should be an enjoyable experience. A relaxed confident mind will retain information much more readily. See yourself as a success and you certainly will be. Please keep posting questions. That is what this thread is for. You are going to do just fine!! :anpom::anpom::anpom: You Can do it!!

Good luck and keep us informed as to when you test!!

I don't recall anything at all on burns...that would seem to be more of a CEN certification question.

Hi CCRN buddies. I'm back and want to apologize for being AWOL from this site for so long. I have missed the friendships that were formed here. I had some health issues but am doing much better. I hope all is well with everyone!! :heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

:yeah: :bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur congratulations!! way to gooooooo!!!!! whooooo hoooooo!!!!!!!!! yyyyaaaaayyyyy!!!!

Merry Christmas all CCRNers. May the holiday season bless you and your practice!!

Hello!! Yes I second the information above. But do post on the thread that ghilbert mentions. Every single nurse who has used the resources on that thread has passed. Ask your question over there and I will explain why!! It is a great thread!

YAAAAYYYYY!!!! You are about to embark in a truly empowering few months!! I think 3 1/2 months sounds like a very reasonable time to study, an hour or so a day is all you will need. I found that the time period that I spent getting my CCRN really transformed me into a more confident, secure and assertive nurse. There are a few nurses that have recently declared their intent to take the exam in the next few months, it is really empowering and fun to be in communication with those going through the same process (hint, hint!). There are also some who have their CCRN that will lend their voices as well. I hope that you will use this thread as fully as you want. It would be great if you would share a little about yourself. How long have you been a nurse, etc... it is really cool to connect with others with the same goals and commitment.... :grpwlcm: :spnngwlcm: :welcome:

you didn't sound money greedy at all jd, just trying to get the best material for your money. sounds smart to me!! :wink2:

Hi Jennjen! Congrats on the CCRN!!! I second what ghilbert says, there is info on Allnurses on the CMC and CSC. Also, there are folks on this thread who achieved all three in a short time, perhaps you could look back on this thread and send a personal message....just a thought. Unfortunately, I did not take those exams, so I cannot be a resource. I recall folks saying that they are a bit more difficult than the CCRN...but I don't know that for certain. But since you already have the momentum going of passing the CCRN, you are certainly in the mind-set and have a great base of Cardiac knowledge to perhaps fill in more details. Sounds like an awesome idea. Let us know how it works out for you!! :yeah:

Wow, what a great story!! You know, there is no doubt in my mind that you will be a great ICU nurse! You must always follow your heart and/or your gut feeling.... depending on what anatomical part you focus on! hehe I plan to be here on this thread for a long time. So, when you get to the point of being ready to take the CCRN, please jump in! It is inspiring that you have set such great goals for yourself. You go girl! Even with small children, I have no doubt that you will be able to make it all work. :yeah: you can do it!! Happy Thanksgiving and please stay in touch!!

yyyyaaaaayyyyyy!!!!!!! :clpty: :wlcmggrp: :grpwlcm: way to go!!! you are about to embark on a very empowering few months! please use this thread as fully as you want, as it will definitely inspire others to take the plunge as well!! happy thanksgiving and hope to hear from you soon. the ccrn dance!! :lol2:

OK how are all the current CCRN studiers doing? Are we having fun yet? Any questions, concerns or victories to report? Just checking! :typing

WELCOME to our little thread!! :wlcmggrp: :grpwlcm: Wow, you are definitely a highly motivated nurse, that is awesome and you are going to do great on your CCRN, I have no doubt. It is a very empowering experience, that's for certain. Are you working in an environment where people are encouraged to get their CCRN or other certifications? I always wonder about that, because the encouragement from where I work seems to wax and wane. I hope you use this thread ongoingly. It has been a useful place for people to have a study and support team as they are going through the process. And you can definitely inspire others to join you. Have fun studying and stay in touch!! :yeah:

:yeah: hhhhoooooorrrrraaaayyyy!!!!!!! royalnurse rn, ccrn!!!!!!! way to go!!! whoooooo!!!!! hooo!! yyyaaaaaayyyyyyyyyy!!!!!!!! awesome, stupendous, terrific!! :ancong!::ancong!::ancong!: :anpom::anpom::anpom: :anpom::anpom::anpom: :hpygrp::hpygrp::hpygrp: what are you going to do to reward yourself?? do you get any recognition at work? thanks so much for letting us know!! what has your feedback been at work??

How are you doing Royal Nurse?? Are you still scheduled to take the exam this week?? I am sorry that I was out of town for a few days and missed your post, please update us on how it is going!!! Many people have found that those Dennison questions are more difficult than the actual exam.... sorry....I missed your post...please update

Hello!!! Welcome to the thread!! From the AACN website: "AACN Certification Corporation recognizes the effect the dynamic healthcare environment has had on critical care nursing practice. While high acuity patients are still cared for in ICU/CCU settings, many patients traditionally cared for in these areas may now be admitted or cared for in a variety of units. AACN Certification Corporation acknowledges that critical care nursing occurs outside the four walls of the traditional ICU/CCU setting. Regardless of the clinical arena, acutely and critically ill patients require knowledgeable, clinically competent nurses. The CCRN-certified nurse has the advanced body of knowledge necessary to care for the complex needs of complex patients whether acute or critically ill. Forty percent of the 40,000 certified CCRNs work in areas outside the ICU/CCU setting. AACN Certification Corporation values all CCRNs and nurses caring for these patients and has updated the CCRN program to reflect the ever-changing healthcare environment. The specialized body of knowledge for critical care nurses delineated by the Study of Practice is still the framework and basis for exam content." As you can see, the CCRN certification is applicable to many patients outside of the traditional ICU. Certainly a cath lab setting or IR would be within the realm of practice!! For me, achieving CCRN certification was very empowering. It was definitely worth while. It has made me a better nurse, there is no doubt. Please ask any other questions you may have!! We are here to help. There are many who have acheived their CCRN's who's voices are heard as well. Hope you decide to go ahead with it!! the CCRN dance!!! :lol2:

You will do just fine! Every single person on this thread has passed, and you certainly will too!!! It is not THAT hard. Just study the right stuff and you will amaze yourself! Are you using the PASS CCRN cd of questions to gage your progress?? It is really very helpful and confidence building. Please keep in touch, lets see if we can spark some other folks out there to perhaps make a new year's resolution to pass their CCRN! Glad you have made the commitment!! Way to go!!! :yeah: