So nervous! CCRN time!

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Specializes in ICU, Postpartum, Onc, PACU.

I take the test tomorrow morning and I'm trying to keep myself together here....I took it without having time to study awhile back and nearly passed. I figured now that I have more experience I'd take it again after going to a review (review class was just last month as opposed to waiting for 5 months like last time).I'm trying to not be too hopeful because I don't want to be too disappointed if (god forbid) I don't pass this time, but I don't wanna be negative either! LolI've studied and done 300 practice questions (the core review book) but those tests seem harder than I remember the actual exam being last time! It's difficult to know about the things you don't see a lot (or ever!) and I'm worrying more about that stuff.For those who have taken it and passed, how did you study those things? I never do ICP monitoring, hardly ever get a balloon pump or SWAN, cardiac surgery, transplants, or trauma. Of course I'm familiar with the verbiage used because I always take classes on those topics at work when they're available (even if I've used up my education hours) just to learn, but that's all I have besides the 2 day review and practice tests.I know it's dumb asking so close to test time, but I thought I'd throw it out there and see what you guys thought! I wanna make it so badly! :-D

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I studied a lot. I mean a did quite a bit! I got a review book from the library (it was kaplan, it was just what they had) and read the whole thing. I took notes. I went to a 2 day review course, then I took notes on the huge handout they gave. I watched the Laura Gasparis video's and took notes. I did what felt like all of the questions on the pass the ccrn disc. I was still nervous when I went! That's just how I am though, I like to be super prepared. I learned a lot though which was great. On down time at work we would quiz eachother or go thru the pass the ccrn disc questions together and rationalize things out. It was nice.

good luck!

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i just took it recently and had 4 questions about cardiac changes with hyper and hypokalemia.

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I'm studying for CCRN, currently using PASS CCRN and Laura G CDs. BUT does anyone have any suggestions for studying hemodynamics? The pacep.org site is no longer available. Also, any good podcasts out there? I have a LONG commute and like podcasts for extra learnin'.

Many thanks for any suggestions!!

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Swan Ganz

www.icufaqs.org.

You tube has a ton

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Specializes in Critical Care.

SOMEBODY GIVE ME A SHOT OF ATIVAN HERE!!! First of all, a co-worker last year who took the exam and passed told me that the test was easy and not that bad at all. Taking her opinion, I studied ONLY 3 weeks and went to take the exam. I flunked the damn test with score 87 and passing of 89. So disappointed that I pack up all my books and put it on the back of my garage. Going for a second try again but am more anxious than before. Being doing 150 questions in one sitting from the PASS CCRN CD and been getting 110/150. I'm using mainly Laura Gasparis material now until when I'm due. I've an ICU nurse for 4 yrs. now. The bulk of the exam is HEMODYNAMICS, from what I remembered. I hope to pass and go on with my applic. for grad school.

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Specializes in Rehab, critical care.

Best of luck to you, Erwindt! Best advice: don't listen to what others have done; it may not apply to you or may be a manipulation of the truth. Study until you feel ready, and you'll do just fine! Sounds like you came close last time, so just study some more this time.

What will you be going back to school for?

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SOMEBODY GIVE ME A SHOT OF ATIVAN HERE!!! First of all, a co-worker last year who took the exam and passed told me that the test was easy and not that bad at all. Taking her opinion, I studied ONLY 3 weeks and went to take the exam. I flunked the damn test with score 87 and passing of 89. So disappointed that I pack up all my books and put it on the back of my garage. Going for a second try again but am more anxious than before. Being doing 150 questions in one sitting from the PASS CCRN CD and been getting 110/150. I'm using mainly Laura Gasparis material now until when I'm due. I've an ICU nurse for 4 yrs. now. The bulk of the exam is HEMODYNAMICS, from what I remembered. I hope to pass and go on with my applic. for grad school.

Just wanted to say good luck on ur next go around ! I did pass the ccrn CD and Laura g. I also took a review course and checked out a ccrn book from the library and read the whole thing. With it all I took notes and reviewed.

You can do it !

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Hi, Guys

I can use some encouragement too. I am schedule to take my exam in December. Though I am studying Laura G stuff, I find Im still confused with cardio stuff (lead for MI changes,etc.). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated :geek:

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Nikki,

Get a review book from the library and read the sections you a weak on...or read the whole thing. I did the whole thing. Are u able to borrow the pass the ccrn cds? Try have hundreds of w questions with rationales , it helped !

Good luck and keep studying , it will sink in eventually !

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Thank you for your words of encouragement. I believe what I am going to say is not something new... I want to go to CRNA school but it's so difficult to approach it being that my neck is tied with a mortgage. Luckily, I'm not married or have any children yet. I'm so interested in anesthesia even before I started nursing school. I shadowed an obstetric anesthesiologist, who is also an anesthesia professor at Stony Brook University at that time. That was like 8 yrs. ago. I have mixed feelings about it because I LOVE the bedside (sounds crazy, but there isn't a lot of young/new nurses that loves the bedside). I love advocating those sick sick ones in the ICU. I think the only discouragement I get from the bedside are my co-workers. Not offense, but they're old and SOOO CRANKY!!! Anyway, I just want to pass this exam and then maybe do the CMC. Will let you know if I have any good news. Thanks again...

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Thank you for your words of encouragement. I believe what I am going to say is not something new... I want to go to CRNA school but it's so difficult to approach it being that my neck is tied with a mortgage. Luckily, I'm not married or have any children yet. I'm so interested in anesthesia even before I started nursing school. I shadowed an obstetric anesthesiologist, who is also an anesthesia professor at Stony Brook University at that time. That was like 8 yrs. ago. I have mixed feelings about it because I LOVE the bedside (sounds crazy, but there isn't a lot of young/new nurses that loves the bedside). I love advocating those sick sick ones in the ICU. I think the only discouragement I get from the bedside are my co-workers. Not offense, but they're old and SOOO CRANKY!!! Anyway, I just want to pass this exam and then maybe do the CMC. Will let you know if I have any good news. Thanks again...

We dont have a mortgage but I am the sole income earner for my family of 5. I decided I wait for the 'perfect' time to go to school money wise bc it is never going to happen. I have been a nurse for 15 years , if I want save uo to years of living expenses by now , it's not going to happen ! I am looking at withdrawing on my retirement to live off of if I any get a loan. There is thing wrong with staying at the bedside while saving up money and learning more critical care. The time will come when u will feel ready to make the decision to go to grad school or stay a bedside nurse. I know a few nurses who have been doing it 30 years and bedside is their passion.

To each their own ! Good luck

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