Studying for CCRN... question regarding test plan

Specialties MICU

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Hi all. I'm studying for the CCRN exam and have a date set in March to take it. I have been using the Gasparis videos (the ones prior to the Nov 2011 update she put out) and I have the 2007 Pass CCRN book. I was just reviewing the CCRN test plan from AACN's website and I realized how dated the Gasparis content is. For example, her vids say neuro is 7% of the exam. However the test plan as of 2010 shows neuro at 12%. How do you all recommend I go about studying the added information?

For example, neurosurgery is listed as neuro content on the exam. I have no guide for how involved I should be in learning that information. I work in a trauma/SICU, so we don't see craniotomies, etc. If I were to learn from the PASS CCRN book, I would spend days learning a few subjects because that's more of a textbook reference than a study guide.

The disheartening part is much of the test plan has topics that she doesn't cover. I've heard from most people who have CCRN that all you need to do to pass CCRN is learn her information. However that seems to be inaccurate.

Short version: How should I approach learning the topics listed under the AACN exam plan that aren't covered in the Gasparis DVDs without trying to memorize overwhelming amounts of irrelevant information like the PASS CCRN book provides?

Thanks!

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You'll be fine. What Laura covered is all you need to know. ICP numbers aren't on there, maintaining ventric's is not on there. Nothing intense neuro wise is anywhere on the CCRN exam. That percentage difference doesn't mean more content, just more questions about the same content.

I studied with the PASS CCRN book, her audio content from the older lectures, and a few other audio lectures (Cammy-House Fancher and an NTI review). I got 100% on neuro. You'll be fine with what you have. Good luck!

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Specializes in ER/ICU/STICU.

I used pass CCRN book and CD. I mainly studied from the CD with the practice tests and quizes and then supplemented that with the book. Don't bother reading the book because it has way too much information. Concentrate on cardiovascular and synergy as that makes up more than half the test.

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Anybody with a pulse can pass CCRN these days. Just go and take it.

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I'll continue to study from the DVDs and PASS CCRN book. I suppose I'll look those topics up that she doesn't cover since there's a chance they may be on there.

Thanks.

Anybody with a pulse can pass CCRN these days. Just go and take it.

Somehow I doubt this.

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I studied for several months before I took ccrn and passed. I read a lot of medical stuff on my own (especially relevant topics in Anesthesia books like physiology and meds). I watched the gasparis videos and they were ok but not that useful in my opinion. I also used the book Critical Care Nursing Certification by Ahrens (its ok not great), and the Pass CCRN book.

I barely opened the Pass CCRN book (its just a bunch of lists) but the CD that comes with it is great. If you get really good at the practice tests and quizzes on the Pass CCRN CD you should be good to go.

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Second on the Pass CCRN CD. The questions are great. The book; way too much info.

With the CD, just do the 150 question tests. If you do systems tests it's kind of cheating. You'll do renal and get a question that has 4 answer choices, one renal/one neuro/one gastro/one endocrine and you automatically know you should pick the renal answer. Hope that makes sense.

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Somehow I doubt this.

It's really not that bad of an exam if you have any sort of decent critical care experience. It's pretty straight forward with the hemodynamics, shock, IABP, vents, etc. Nothing that I really thought was tricky.

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I am one of the most nervous, anxious test takers you will ever meet. Laura's lectures plus the questions off the pass CCRN CD was plenty fine for me to pass last year. She gives you exactly what you need to know to PASS, not necessarily get 100%. The Pass CCRN CD gave a lot of great practice for the exam, and I felt it was fairly close the the level of difficulty of the actual exam.

Study those and I'm sure you'll be writing CCRN after your name very soon :)

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I am taking the CCRN test this march and I have been studying Laura G's videos and her book review ccrn. Should I study with the pass ccrn book and CD as well? It seems a lot of people do these combo. I am schedule for March 14... I am nervous!

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I dont understand why people get so nervous about taking the CCRN. You know 70% of all first time testers pass! I know of exactly three people who failed on their first try and one of them was just a bad test taker and the other two are idiots! The majority of ICU nurses with a year of experience should be able to pass the test without much difficulty...so study a little just to refresh you memory and just relax while taking the test -- you know the material, so just answer the questions..

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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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