Passing CCRN

Congratulations! I assume that you’ve completed about 1750 hours in the ICU or have worked there for at least a year/ or you’re getting close to a year, that is great news. Hopefully you have been reading and learning about vasopressors, cardiac and respiratory problems and some methods of hemodynamics monitoring, however if you haven’t, no worries. I will recommend some great resources that will help you study and pass your CCRN exam on first try.

Why is CCRN important for CRNA school?

Most schools require applicants to be CCRN certified. CCRN not only makes you a competitive candidate but it also shows your dedication to attend CRNA school. The CCRN is hard, but, only if you’re not well prepared. You can definitely pass on your first try. CCRN shows your ability to critically think. You’ve probably worked with some ICU nurses who knew “what” works but not necessarily how it works. Well, the CCRN just kinda show the admission committees that you went above and beyond to show your ability to think critically and provide the best, safest care for your patients. Can you get into CRNA school without the CCRN, absolutely. If you have a high undergrad GPA (i.e 3.7 or above), have 3+ years of experience in a large ICU, and scored well on a GRE, and leadership loves you, well, you may be able to skip the CCRN and still get admitted, as long as CCRN certification is not a minimum requirements of the school. Otherwise, I would recommend you take and pass the CCRN before applying to CRNA school. You don’t want to waste time and spend your money applying to schools and not be certain and sure that you are a competitive applicant.

CCRN Requirements, Fees and Blueprint

To be eligible to take the CCRN you must:

• be a licensed RN or APRN
• Have completed 1750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill patients ( orientation/ shadowing does not count)
• Be able to provide a colleague information who can verify that you have completed 1750 hours in the ICU (can be a fellow RN or anyone at work really)
• Pay the $344 fee

The CCRN blueprint/ Test plan is posted on the AACN website and this is a brief breakdown of it:

• Cardiovascular 18%
• Pulmonary 17%
• Endocrine/Hematology/Gastrointestinal/ Renal/Integumentary 20%
• Musculoskeletal/ Neurology/ Psychosocial 13%
• Multisystem 14%
• Professional Caring and Ethical Practice 20%

The test plan have a detailed list of topics you should review for each section mentioned above. Now, with that said, when was the last time you fail a test when the teacher gave you a clear and detailed study guide? Hopefully, never, or at least, you know you did not pass cause you did not study. Well, let’s talk about some good resources that I did find very helpful.

RESOURCES to study for CCRN: what’s helpful

There are hundreds of resources to help you prepare for the CCRN, but let me tell you which ones worked for me:

1. ECCO Modules: Like I mentioned in my other blog, this is a resource that is often overlooked. The AACN prepared those modules and the information is succinct and clear. I took notes while doing my ECCO modules during my ICU orientation and they were honestly the most helpful in preparing me for the CCRN. Check with your ICU educator to see whether or not you can be given brief access to them If you hospital uses them for ICU orientation, if not, then step 2
2. PASS CCRN Book by Dennison. I have completed many questions from that book and they were very helpful to me. You don’t have to buy the book to get access to the Q+A . Just buy online access through any websites. Best way to USE: After answering the question, read the rationales (whether you got it right or wrong), take notes from the rationales and move on to the next questions
3. AACN CCRN preparation modules : I did NOT personally use that resource. Although some colleagues said they were helpful, to what extent? I am not sure. Therefore, Not really recommending those, just letting you know that they are available
4. BRAINSCAPE.COM : I continue to use this website as an SRNA. Brainscape.com is a website that allows you to create your own flashcard sets and study them. Now, Quizlet you may be familiar with, but brainscape is much better because it tells you how well you have mastered the material by showing a % at the end of each study session. Best way to use: Those notes that you take when you’re doing questions from the rationales, create your OWN flashcards with them. Another easier way is to copy and paste your notes to flashcards as you’re studying and doing questions. Create your flashcards by topics, i.e cardiac, pulmonary, etc. ( I would also recommend studying by topics). Then, make sure you master each flashcards set to at least 85% before you take the CCRN. I guarantee you’ll pass first try.
5. Watch youtube videos about topics or concepts you don’t understand. Youtube is a very good resource that you will most likely use for CRNA school as well. Why not use to prepare for CCRN. There are many videos that can help you fully grasp hard concepts. Also, drnajeeblectures.com is also a good resource. His websites have many videos about concepts and although they are made for medical students, they are plain and simple and easy to understand. He does have a little Indian accent but he’s smart and understandable. I would highly recommend for CRNA school as well.

As always, I hope someone somewhere can benefit from this blog! Any questions or comments, Feel free to comment/ contact me.

Linsay SRNA!

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