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You’re so close to applying to CRNA school with just one hurdle to make you a more competitive applicant, passing the critical care nurse certification (CCRN) exam. I know it’s not as stressful as when you took the NCLEX exam because your job is not on the line but it is still important. Obtaining this certification will allow you stand out from the rest of the potential applicants. It is also a pretty awesome credential to have behind your name. 

Read: How To Become A Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)

I actually took and passed the CCRN exam back in 2013. Prior to this I started my own continuing education business and hosted critical care review courses. I have either researched, taken, or either talked to other credentialed ICU nurses about the latest CCRN review courses and books out there. Hopefully this saves you time and money as you work towards passing this exam.  

And I’m pretty sure you also noticed there aren’t a ton of CCRN review courses or even CCRN prep books out there. So, what are some review courses and books out there so you can become CCRN certified? 

Well, first let’s talk about what this exam is really about.  

What is the CCRN Exam? 

The CCRN is a national certification which validates a registered nurse has achieved a higher level of clinical knowledge to care for acutely and/ or critically ill patients in the adult, pediatric or neonatal settings.This certification is a credential granted by the American Association of Critical- Care Nurses (AACN). 

Why should I obtain a CCRN certification?

While most of you are looking to obtain your CCRN certification to strengthen your nurse anesthesia application, here are other reasons why you should take the plunge: 

• Benefits your patients 
• Boosts your confidence 
• Your pay may increase 
• Helps you stay up to date with the latest evidence- based practice

As you see there are many benefits to obtaining your CCRN certification. The best part is it shows you are committed to the profession and demonstrates your dedication for higher learning. This is what the admissions committee is looking for in applicants. 

CCRN prep books: 

Ace the CCRN: You can Do it! Practice Review Questions

This book by Nicole Kupchik has overwhelmingly great reviews on Amazon. However, it is not a comprehensive review book. It contains 450 practice questions and rationales for each question. It is designed to be used along with the AACN critical care exam blueprint or another review book. There is also a newly updated 2020 study guide. This is a book recommended by the AACN to use as a resource for the CCRN exam.  

Pass CCRN 

This book is a comprehensive review of the overall CCRN exam with over 1000 practice questions. There is both a study mode and exam mode. There are illustrations, tables and algorithms which work well for the visual learner like myself. A great feature is the outline style review based on the outline for the adult CCRN exam. This book goes into great depth and the practice questions tend to be more technical and harder than the actual exam so your chances of passing the actual exam is great.

 

Adult CCRN Exam: With 3 Practice Tests 

Here is another review book by Barron Test Prep with great reviews. There are more than 500 practice questions overall. It includes 2 full- length online practice exams with rationales. The questions are similar to the ones you may see on the actual exam. A great feature is there are questions in the book and online. 

CCRN Review Courses 

American Association of Critical Care Nurses Review

While I have no direct experience with this course provided by the AACN, it does come from the people who actually write the exam questions. This course features presentations by critical care experts which includes real- life scenarios to foster critical thinking. There is a member price of $159, non- members of $199, and organization pricing at various rates. This course is also approved for 15.5 contact hours.  

Laura Gasparis CCRN Review

This CCRN review course by Laura Gasparis is actually the course I took to pass my CCRN exam years ago. It is a comprehensive web based review course which includes 12 high definition quality video modules or an in person option. This review course costs the most at $350 but it does include the video content, a study guide, over 500 practice questions and 12 continuing education contact hours. There is also a 1 day cram review course at a cost of $175 which may be worth checking out if you are in a time crunch. 

Nurse.com Critical Care Review 

This review course is also online at a cost of $179 and includes 10.0 continuing education contact hours. While I haven’t taken this course, I do know of other nurses who have given good reviews. It is created by experts in the field of critical care nursing and is based on the current AACN blueprint.  

Bottom Line 

After taking a review course, studied and passed the CCRN exam, here are my thoughts.

I would purchase a review book or course which had lots of practice questions with in depth rationale so you understand why you are getting wrong answers. If after reading the rationale you still do not understand it, be sure to use a book to gain a more in depth understanding of the material. After much research, ACE the CCRN and Adult CCRN Exam both have great reviews and lots of practice questions.

I was able to pass the CCRN exam using Laura Gasparis video series years ago. At the time I purchased the videos used and they were likely out of date. But I still managed to pass the exam along with using the AACN exam blueprint. I liked her course because she gets straight to the point and teaches what you need to learn. If you do purchase this online course just make note you only have access for 90 days. Although I don’t believe you need to take a review course in order to pass the CCRN exam. A good book with plenty of practice questions, along with the AACN exam outline, and a good reference book should suffice.

Also be sure to check out the tools needed to pass the CCRN exam on the AACN website. There is a handbook, practice questions, study plans and practice exams with rationales and exam scores. Check out these other ways to strengthen your CRNA application and remember the time is now to start studying for the CCRN exam.

P.S. I have listened to you guys and hear you. A membership and community forum is in the works. If you want to be the first of many to get on the waiting list, then click here!