Would you still take the CCRN exam...?

ctbsurf · May 11, 2004

no it serves no purpose if you already got in. you are no longer an ICU nurse, move on to the next big step, surviving anesthesia school. then we'll talk about personal achievment. good luck and congrats.

ethelbsnrn · May 11, 2004

I agree! Which anesthesia school will you be going?

CRNAStudent · May 12, 2004

I am starting CRNA school in August, and I am still going to take the test in June. Regardless of what I do next year, I still specialized in critical care nursing, and want the certification that says so. But if the only reason you were doing it to begin with was to get into CRNA school, then I guess it doesn't matter...mission accomplished. For me though, I still want to achieve that level.

Would you recommend that I still take the CCRN exam, eventhough I am starting NA school this August? I wanted to take it a long time ago, but just never did...then, I started studying a while back in hopes that it would make my application to NA school more appealing to the schools. Well, I got accepted after my first interview even without it. Now, I'm focusing more on moving, packing, leaving little time to study, etc. Would taking the CCRN exam help during CRNA school? Besides the personal achievement of passing the exam, would you (those who are potential SRNAs) still take it?
Thanks.
V.

mbrian46 · May 12, 2004

If you have the extra money and time, go ahead and take it. It would be more initials behind your name. But, be sure you will be able to satisfy the CE requirements to keep your CCRN when it comes time to renew. I believe you have to have 100 CE's w/in 3-4 yrs. I am in school now and kind of struggling with this problem. To keep my CEN I need 100 CE and it comes up for renewal the same time that I graduate. I would check with the AACN, I have heard that in addition to CE's you have to have worked so many hours in the critical care setting to qualify for renewal.

louloubell1 · May 12, 2004

Last year I spent several months on bedrest because of a complicated pregnancy, and I spent much of that time studying to take the CCRN exam, but then I ended up getting accepted to anesthesia school without it, so I've decided to save the couple of hundred bucks it costs to take the exam. Now that I'm getting ready to undertake the largest financial burden I've ever had (except for buying a home) I figure I can put that money to better use than using it to take an exam for a certification I don't really need.

Athlein1 · May 12, 2004

FYI - you can take the exam to say you've done it if you must satisfy that goal for personal reasons, but consider it a one-time thing. Once you cross over into the realm of nurse anesthesia, you won't be a bedside RN in a critical care unit, so you won't earn those practice hours for renewal.

MaleAPRN · May 12, 2004

If you have the extra money and time, go ahead and take it. It would be more initials behind your name. But, be sure you will be able to satisfy the CE requirements to keep your CCRN when it comes time to renew. I believe you have to have 100 CE's w/in 3-4 yrs. I am in school now and kind of struggling with this problem. To keep my CEN I need 100 CE and it comes up for renewal the same time that I graduate. I would check with the AACN, I have heard that in addition to CE's you have to have worked so many hours in the critical care setting to qualify for renewal.

You have a very good and valid point there.

V.

Ianv · May 12, 2004

I took my CCRN to help me get into CRNA school and for personal reasons. I don't know if it helped but I did get in and it helped me better understand some complex concepts in critical care. I know that the education for CRNA will account for CE towards my 100 hours I need before 2006 renewl of my CCRN. I plan on maintaining my certification even after I am done with CRNA school, I figure I earned it and might as well keep it. That being said I think if I were you and had already been accepted and are in the process of moving I wouldn't do it, you are already busy and it will serve you no real purpose except to expand your knowledge but I have a feeling you will get plenty of that when school starts in Aug.

catcolalex · May 12, 2004

taking the test itself will not help you prepare for CRNA school, but studying for it might. unless you want to take it for yourself, i wouldnt pay them any money to get CCRN behind your name, save your money and wait for something even better, CRNA.

Roland · May 12, 2004

Isn't it possible that someone might want to keep or acquire the CCRN designation if they intended to work "part time" after the first semester of school (granted most people advise against working in CRNA school). Also, even after someone is a CRNA isn't it conceivable that they might want to pick up an occassional ICU shift, just so their skills stay intact? Personally, my "retirement plan" involves becoming a nursing instructor or starting a nursing school in someplace like Fiji. You can't do that with "rusty" bedside nursing skills.

catcolalex · May 12, 2004

I think you would fit right in with all the nursing instructors I've ever had if you hadn't seen the bedside in about 20+ years.