Should I Wait For CCRN Certification

athena55, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2009

I felt that the CCRN exam actually tested your BOOK KNOWLEDGE, not your clinical or bedside knowledge.

I took the exam waaay back in the day (1980) and of course, lots more "stuff" on the present day exam than before. Not sure if the powers that be "dumbed down" the exam, but I felt that the PASS CCRN CD by Donnison - the questions were way harder than the actual CCRN exam.

I'm usually say "good luck"to anyone taking the exam....But I secretly feel that Luck has nothing to do with passing any exam. It's the amount of time you put into understanding the different disease processes and systems....IMHO

WindwardOahuRN, RN · Oct 1, 2009

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.

Wow. What the heck was that statement supposed to mean? :confused:

I'm taking it to mean something very self-deprecating but I'm not sure it was meant that way.

That was just plain weird.

The CCRN exam is just a test. Passing it is not a testimonial to brilliance nor does it translate into being able to perform in a practical sense. There is no skills component to the test, not even a check list that must be verified as there was years ago---my guess is that a skills requirement limited the eligible pool beyond what AACN thought was profitable. With the addition of the non-clinical "synergy" component to the exam about ten years ago the focus was shifted from clinical competency to who the hell knows what. A full 20% of the exam is based on "professional caring and ethical practice." All well and good but does a certification that was always thought to represent clinical excellence really need that much of a focus on holistic values?

In other words, if you think that a CCRN after someone's name means they are clinically competent, think again.

Taking the CCRN exam seems to be the thing to do now and as soon as nurses are eligible they run to sign up. Honestly, I wouldn't let some of the nurses who passed that test and are now sporting their CCRN letters take care of my dog. I love my dog.

So take it, pass it or not, stick it on your CV along with whatever other capital letters you can tack on to your name.

BTW, bear in mind that, in the legal arena, those who have the CCRN designation may be held to higher standards and subject to more liability.

A nurse buddy of mine was involved in a court case where the docs and ALL THE CCRN's who were on the unit that night got sued when a patient went bad. He was not even the nurse for the patient. But since he was on the unit, knew of the problem, and he SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER BECAUSE HE HAD HIS CCRN he was included in the lawsuit.

It was settled out of court. He dumped his CCRN right after that and has never looked back.

The AACN website addresses this concern with a stunningly convoluted load of gobbledy-gook that makes absolutely no sense. Their statement doesn't address the question at all. But the fact that the question was included in the FAQ section speaks volumes. And I can tell you, from the experience of my co-worker, that you may indeed be held to a higher standard should the crap hit the fan.

Just try pointing to the statement below if you are sued and get ready for the laughter:

>>As a CCRN, am I held to a higher standard of care than an RN in a court of law?

A common myth suggests that certified nurses assume greater legal liability because they are held to a higher standard. Marsh Affinity Group Services, a leader in insurance program management and the world's largest insurance broker, dispels this myth. Marsh acknowledges that validation of additional education is a definite advantage from a liability standpoint. "The more you have, the better off you are. Education reduces your exposure to risk and better prepares you to make informed decisions that encompass a larger scope."

Nurses whose clinical judgment has been validated through certification make decisions with greater confidence. Confidence can contribute to recognizing situations at risk for failure to rescue and reduce the likelihood of medical errors such as incorrect prescriptions, insufficient or absent documentation and failure to address the needs of patients and their families. The more knowledgeable the nurses, the better they can recognize problems and intervene appropriately resulting in fewer medical errors.

Might I add a big fat "HUH???" at this point?

Manurse715 · Oct 1, 2009

Wow. What the heck was that statement supposed to mean?
I'm taking it to mean something very self-deprecating but I'm not sure it was meant that way.
That was just plain weird.
Might I add a big fat "HUH???" at this point?

geekgolightly Gave a host of reasons why she shouldn't take her CCRN. Mostly, they were rooted in lack of self confidence. The AACN clearly lists the minimal requirements to take your CCRN. Once these are met, a balanced assessment of personal readiness will appropriately recognize both limitations AND qualifications of a potential CCRN candidate.

I usually side with The Little Engine That Could.

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Oct 1, 2009

geekgolightly Gave a host of reasons why she shouldn't take her CCRN. Mostly, they were rooted in lack of self confidence. The AACN clearly lists the minimal requirements to take your CCRN. Once these are met, a balanced assessment of personal readiness will appropriately recognize both limitations AND qualifications of a potential CCRN candidate.
I usually side with The Little Engine That Could.

Lack of self confidence? No, more like abundance of insight into my current abilities.

While I can keep someone in critical condition afloat, I can not, at this point, call the shots. I know that's why we have docs, but I want to know before they give me orders what we need, so I can clarify right on the spot rather than have to run and look things up and ask questions before calling them back.

If I worked in a hospital wherein all ICU patients were immediately signed over to CCM (the intensivists), I would feel a bit more confident I think, because I wouldn't be as aware of what I didn't know, like I am now.

I am doing well on the test questions and am pretty darn sure I could pass, but I really don't think garnering a CCRN because I can test well amounts to little more than a hill of beans. I want to be better than that, and I want the CCRN to actually MEAN something. Maybe the exam should be lots harder than it is at the moment.

Manurse715 · Oct 1, 2009

Lack of self confidence? No, more like abundance of insight into my current abilities.
While I can keep someone in critical condition afloat, I can not, at this point, call the shots. I know that's why we have docs, but I want to know before they give me orders what we need, so I can clarify right on the spot rather than have to run and look things up and ask questions before calling them back.
If I worked in a hospital wherein all ICU patients were immediately signed over to CCM (the intensivists), I would feel a bit more confident I think, because I wouldn't be as aware of what I didn't know, like I am now.
I am doing well on the test questions and am pretty darn sure I could pass, but I really don't think garnering a CCRN because I can test well amounts to little more than a hill of beans. I want to be better than that, and I want the CCRN to actually MEAN something. Maybe the exam should be lots harder than it is at the moment.

That's fair. I know in my setting of practice there are many who are very negative and tear people down just to build themselves up. I didn't know if this malevolence presented its self in your location, and if it contributed to reservation of taking the test.

Generally, I am not afraid to try for something. I really don't think you'll pass if you don't know your stuff. And it does show you know things. It also **i feel that is the most important thing** shows that you're committed to learning and expanding your capacity to care for critically ill patients. Which it sounds like you are.

What I was trying to communicate is that when people (including yourself) tell you you can't look them back in the eye and call them a lier. :chuckle

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2009

For the most part, my co-workers are super supportive, and I feel blessed to be with this group. They know how to grow good ICU nurses in my MICU. I'm thankful for (most!) of them. Watching them, though, is another way in which I can measure my knowledge base. When I can think on my feet the way they can, I'll want to test. I've only been on the floor without a preceptor for ten months. I think within another year, I'll be good to go. :up:

Manurse715 · Oct 2, 2009

I see. That sounds about right. Sounds like you have a good group of ICU RN's with you too. I saw that you sight 7 years as your length of experience. I made the assumption that this was 7 years of ICU experience. My mistake. I took my CCRN about a year and a half after my orientation was finished.

geekgolightly, BSN, RN · Oct 2, 2009

I see. That sounds about right. Sounds like you have a good group of ICU RN's with you too. I saw that you sight 7 years as your length of experience. I made the assumption that this was 7 years of ICU experience. My mistake. I took my CCRN about a year and a half after my orientation was finished.

oh no. i spent years on the floor. doing ortho trauma and neuroscience. some time in telemetry and also stroke research. done lots of stuff, but critical care is a different ball of wax.

JW-RN · Oct 14, 2009

you have to have at least 1750 hours of direct bedside care of acutely or critically ill patients during the previous two years

http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Content/initial_ccrn_certification.pcms?menu=Certification