Study plan for CCRN?

PrimeRib · Mar 10, 2016

Hi, just took my test this afternoon and fortunately passed so I can fill you in on my thoughts, sorry if I ramble, I'm just relieved to be done with it.

I got on loan from our unit educator a copy of Pass CCRN + the CD with the practice tests. As so many others have mentioned, the book itself is incredibly detailed and is really a bore to read, full of charts. I'm a little embarrassed to say I actually only got through maybe the first chapter on cardiac anatomy and called it quits, realizing there had to be an easier way without inundating my brain with extensive passages about sarcomeres.

Many others have recommended the Laura Gasparis-Vonfrolio DVDs so I sought those out. Of course, looking to save a buck (they are $150 new from Laura's website) I purchased a used set off of ebay. As it turned out, the DVD set I received was from a very old edition (2004), and to add to that misfortune, DVD #6 of 6, though not seemingly damaged, would paradoxically not play in any computer or DVD player. Realizing my error, I went and groveled to Laura Gasparis herself and she was kind enough to send me a replacement DVD #6, albeit from the newer edition (which I should have just purchased in the first place).

Already being $120 in the hole on the old edition of the DVDs (plus the "donated" DVD #6) and with the test date looming ever closer, I decided to stick it out on the assumption that most of the information would still be current and valid. I'll tell you, I was initially skeptical about the idea of sitting and listening to a PhD RN speak for 6+ hours, but after watching the first one I realized that she is very funny, down-to-earth, intelligent, and has a great way of teaching through mnemonics and stories from her experiences.

I found some of her content was a little lacking, especially in the neuro area - but then I had a very old edition, so perhaps the newer edition is a little more extensive, I can't really comment.

All in all, my study plan consisted of watching through her DVDs twice, taking detailed notes the second time, and then taking many, many 150 question practice tests off of the Pass CCRN CD, which I should mention was also an older edition, 2007. I read through all the rationales for the answers on Pass CCRN, of course focusing on things I didn't understand. As I said, I only really read through the first half of the first chapter of the book, but I did use it as a reference to reinforce things I didn't understand (and things which were completely new to me). I would say I studied inconsistently, haphazardly for a little better than a month.

So there you have it! If you're like me (cheap), it is possible to pass the CCRN using outdated texts and DVDs and a lackluster study plan. I definitely recommend Laura Gasparis's DVD's as she does do a good job of covering the most pertinent information, although I would probably purchase her most current edition if I were to do it all over again.

PrimeRib · Mar 10, 2016

Oh, and regarding the test itself:

I would be lying if I didn't say it was a very difficult test, in fact the first thing I said to the proctor as she handed me the "you passed!" printout was, "Whewâ€¦ that test sucked!". Very professional of me.

I found there were more questions on neuro than I found myself prepared for, as I mentioned in my previous post, I think Laura Gasparis could do a little better job covering that area. I would probably recommend brushing up on that content and maybe reading a little more closely from the Pass CCRN text than I did. One question which sticks out in my mind, which I still don't know the answer to, went something like:

"Not blowing your nose or sneezing, etc. is appropriate discharge instructions for what kind of surgery?"

I narrowed it down to two surgeries I had never heard of in my life, "transtentorial-something-or -other on an olfactory bulb tumor" or "transsphenoid-something-or-other". Initially I went for the olfactory bulb one ("olfactory! smelling, noseâ€¦that has to be it!") but then switched to the transsphenoid one because that sounded more like something I had maybe heard of before. I still have no idea what the answer is, nor do I care in the slightest But those are the types of associations I found myself making on questions that would maybe have been easier had I just studied a little harder in that content area.

Cardiac is supposed to make up a huge amount of content on the exam and is probably more my strong suit. I was, however, terrified of anything have to do with 12 lead EKGs as that is, sadly, not something I have ever bothered to learn as a nurse, aside from the simple lead 2 rhythm interpretation. A huge number of questions on the Pass CCRN CD concerned things like "patient's EKG shows ST elevation in leads ****, what area of the heart would be affected/conditions would result /medications would be indicated/contraindicated etc.." I don't know if I really got any of these sort of questions on the actual exam, despite attempting to cram it in the night before and the morning of the exam.

Of course, I'm sure everybody's test questions are a little different and perhaps you will have more 12 lead questions on your exam, but that's my 2 cents. Good luck!

lstar1 · Mar 14, 2016

unfortunately i have long term care experience and have recently accepted a job as a early intervention public health nurse. I was offered this because of my vast experience as an educator.I also have a Bachelors degree. However i really would love to be a critical care nurse. I can not get a job because i have ni prior experience. Can someone please tell me if taking this course and passing the exam will guarantee a job or am i just wasting my time, I live in the Boston mass area,Very frustrating.

PrimeRib · Mar 14, 2016

According to AACN, in order to sit for the exam, you have to have worked I think 1750 hrs in critical care in the last two years (ie about a year's worth of time). Not that it's really all that closely audited, I don't think, but you do have to list your critical care experience, what kind of unit, manager name/contact info, etc.

So technically the test is for people who have already worked in critical care. Not that I don't think one could pass the exam if they really studied for it, since it's all conceptual, but it probably would be a little bit more tough without having ever really worked with drips, swans, etc.

Just keep looking for and applying to openings! If they require you to have experience, get a job in med/surg or a step-down floor for a year or so to get your hospital basics down. Lots of ICU nurses start out on a tele floor.