Should I Wait For CCRN Certification

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Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

I just graduated from nursing school and I'm planning to take my boards in a couple of weeks. I would love to work in the ICU one day. I'm not sure about the nursing requirements for CCRN certification. Do you have work as a nurse in the ICU before you can get your CCRN certification?

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According to the AACN, you must hold a current, unencumbered nursing license, and you must have 1750 hours of clinical experience, 875 of which are accrued during the most recent year preceding application for certification.

More information is here: http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/content/ccrn.pcms?menu=Certification#Initial

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If you were to take it straight out of school, you more than likely wouldn't pass. It's not an easy exam. Take some time and get used to the ICU, then grab PASS CCRN and Gasparis' DVDs and study.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

The passing rate for CCRN used to be about 66%.

As per their website the passing rate for the CCRN exam is now 77% since the "launching of our revised computer-based exam."

I guess AACN finally figured out that the way to boost its profits was to make the test a wee bit easier? Have they dumbed it down or have candidates become incredibly smarter and the fact that they've "revised" the test and scores improved immensely is just a coincidence?

I've had my CCRN for many years. IMHO studying for it is a useful learning experience but also, IME, as with any degree/certification it doesn't indicate that the owner of said degree/certification is necessarily a shining star.

But it does look good on a CV or job app. :D

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The passing rate for CCRN used to be about 66%.

As per their website the passing rate for the CCRN exam is now 77% since the "launching of our revised computer-based exam."

I guess AACN finally figured out that the way to boost its profits was to make the test a wee bit easier? Have they dumbed it down or have candidates become incredibly smarter and the fact that they've "revised" the test and scores improved immensely is just a coincidence?

I've had my CCRN for many years. IMHO studying for it is a useful learning experience but also, IME, as with any degree/certification it doesn't indicate that the owner of said degree/certification is necessarily a shining star.

But it does look good on a CV or job app. :D

There are some REALLY good resources out there right now that solely focus on what you need to know to pass the exam and nothing else. Therefore you don't get the benefit of studying every single body system and what's on the test blueprint.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
There are some REALLY good resources out there right now that solely focus on what you need to know to pass the exam and nothing else. Therefore you don't get the benefit of studying every single body system and what's on the test blueprint.

I don't know if they have it anymore but AACN used to have a CCRN educational disk that was in test form. You could take the tests by system or take a mock 200-question test.

The nice part about it was that it provided a rationale for each answer, even including rationales on why a wrong answer was wrong. A good little learning experience.

The eternal cynic in me has to wonder whether AACN dumbed the test down to kick up its profits. "Now really...it doesn't have to be THAT hard...."

When I took it there was actually a skills checklist that had to be filled out as part of the application to take the test. What a concept.

From their website:

>>As of January 1, 1999, the technical skills (interventions) checklist was eliminated as a requirement for obtaining or renewing the CCRN credential. While accomplishment of specific technical skills is no longer required to be eligible to sit for the CCRN exam, having knowledge and/or experience with specific critical care technical skills (i.e., hemodynamic monitoring, ventilating patients) may benefit you in understanding the questions presented on the exam. Having knowledge and experience with patient situations involving technology that monitors or maintains life functions will enhance your understanding of the patient care scenarios outlined in the examination.

"May benefit you in understanding the questions"?? So it looks like the goal is to pass the test, not to have any particular skills at the bedside of a critically ill patient.

Oh well....

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Specializes in ICU.

I took and passed my CCRN last week. I have been in the ICU for less than two years. I watched Vonfrolio's DVD's and had the book "Pass CCRN!" which has a lot of practice questions. You don't want to take it right out of school, you don't know anything yet. But you don't have to be a 20 year nurse either.

It was hard, but doable. You must answer 88 questions correct out of 150. 25 of those are not graded. When you get through it says "you go X# correct..."

Study hard!

https://www.greatnurses.com/exp/index.php/products/item/ccrn_review/

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Specializes in Ortho and Tele med/surg.

Thanks guys!!!

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Specializes in ICU.

"None. Does clinical in nursing school count? lol"

no.

:chuckle

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Specializes in MICU, neuro, orthotrauma.
The passing rate for CCRN used to be about 66%.

As per their website the passing rate for the CCRN exam is now 77% since the "launching of our revised computer-based exam."

I guess AACN finally figured out that the way to boost its profits was to make the test a wee bit easier? Have they dumbed it down or have candidates become incredibly smarter and the fact that they've "revised" the test and scores improved immensely is just a coincidence?

I've had my CCRN for many years. IMHO studying for it is a useful learning experience but also, IME, as with any degree/certification it doesn't indicate that the owner of said degree/certification is necessarily a shining star.

But it does look good on a CV or job app. :D

I've been studying for CCRN and realise that I could pass this test, but I think I would feel like a bit of a fraud. I am not an experienced critical care nurse. I freeze up; I ask a million questions still. I am not a go-to girl. I think I am going to wait to take the exam, because, for me, I want it to mean something. I do not want to be a CRNA or CRNP, so I have no reason to hurry.

I am still studying every other day or so, but I am holding off on the actual test now. I wanna wait until I am ready to be a preceptor, or at least be a go-to girl!

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Specializes in ICU.
I've been studying for CCRN and realise that I could pass this test, but I think I would feel like a bit of a fraud. I am not an experienced critical care nurse. I freeze up; I ask a million questions still. I am not a go-to girl. I think I am going to wait to take the exam, because, for me, I want it to mean something. I do not want to be a CRNA or CRNP, so I have no reason to hurry.

I am still studying every other day or so, but I am holding off on the actual test now. I wanna wait until I am ready to be a preceptor, or at least be a go-to girl!

Whatever. You should take it. I've been in the ICU 2 years with many pundits of my capacities (mainly biased dayshifters). I studied daily. And passed it.

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Specializes in Med-Surg Nursing.

No, you cannot take the test right out of school as you need to have so many clinical hours in an ICU setting as state in the first post.

I took the exam over 3 yrs ago. I studied Laura Gasparis-Vonfrolio's tapes, went to see her live at a two-day CCRN review course and used the disc from the Pass CCRN! book! I passed!!

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