Taking the CCRN

This thread has been posted before, and basically the answer was that getting your CCRN doesn't hurt. In fact, it can only help you. Anything that distinguishes you from the others will make you that more competitive, and when you're being evaluated holistically, then any edge you can get is worth any amount of work, IMO. What book are you studying from? I've got my CCRN, but I mainly studied from the Critical Care Certification: Preparation, Review, and Practice Exams. You can get it on amazon.com for around 60 bux. IMO, it's a lot better than the Pass the CCRN! because of the format. Pass the CCRN is more outline form, which I can't stand. It's like memorizing a bunch of facts. Critical Care Examination, on the other hand, is more like a book, and you can read it and be engaged with it. Also, the test questions are really good, and the two practice examinations at the back are pretty close to the actual exam.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/083851474X/qid=1070212320//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-1428268-8159105?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Having said that, I did buy the Pass the CCRN! because the info on the cardiac system was indepth, especially on the cardiac meds and drips, and I found that to be helpful on the test as well. I also bought a third book called the Critical Care Examination Review, which has only questions in it. This was really helpful as well because I saw a few questions taken straight out of this book on the actual exam.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0962724696/qid=1070212320//ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i0_xgl14/104-1428268-8159105?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

Good luck!

Having the CCRN does make you a stronger applicant. That's not to say that there hasn't been people get in without it, but it does reflect well on you as an applicant. I think with otherwise equally qualified applicants, that most schools would choose the one with CCRN.

Got a question about the ccrn certification.........Do you HAVE to attend critical care "school" in order to take the exam for that certification? Our area has a 10 week program that I guess culminates in the certification exam.

Thanks so much for the advice on ccrn study materials!

:) etherchick

Originally posted by cortrn

Got a question about the ccrn certification.........Do you HAVE to attend critical care "school" in order to take the exam for that certification? Our area has a 10 week program that I guess culminates in the certification exam.

Thanks so much for the advice on ccrn study materials!

:) etherchick

Nah, you don't HAVE to sit in any classes. You just need about 1800 hrs of ICU experience, fill out the application, take the test, and shell out the application fee. I suggest paying 300 bux, which should include the test and 1 yr membership to the AACN.

This link has all the info you need:

http://www.certcorp.org/certcorp/certcorp.nsf/certcorp/ccrn?opendocument#Initial%20CCRN%20C_0

if you had equally identical applicants with equal experiences, grades, and character, but one demonstrated the discipline to sit and become certified during a long exam by a very reputable professional association, and the other did not, who would you give the seat to?

plus some hospitals may give you a significant hourly differential (my hospital gives me 160 bucks a month extra) which may help with your textbooks when you get to crna school.

It is truly more than just resume candy...just do it

z