ALIGNED WITH CURRENT EXAM: This edition contains an overview of the exam, including all updated information based on the July 2017 changes to the test. It also includes a breakdown of the test blueprint and the number of questions per topic.
EXPERIENCED NURSES WITH LIMITED STUDY TIME: CCRN candidates must have 1,750 to 2,000 practice hours in critical care before sitting for the exam. As working nurses, they have limited study time & need efficient exam prep.
CERTIFICATION RENEWAL: Certification is recognized for a 3-year span. It can be renewed by retaking the CCRN exam.
TYPES OF NURSING CERTIFICATION: Specialty certification can be achieved in adult, pediatric, or neonatal nursing. More than 95,000 acute and critical care nurses worldwide are presently certified.
TEST-TAKER MARKET: In 2020, there were 12,381 candidates tested, a total of 83,052 were Adult CCRN-certified nurses with 9,111 new certificants and 17,243 renewed. As of January 15, 2021, according to the AACN’s website, there are 92,042 CCRNs across the country (The totals include all CCRN certificants — Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal).
CERTIFICATION LEADS TO MORE OPPORTUNITIES: Having this certification is considered a sign of prestige and professional accomplishment and often opens the door for a lot more job opportunities because it is becoming such a respected credential. Per the author, who has an extensive nursing/teaching background and strong familiarity with this exam, research has demonstrated that certification indicates a higher level of job competence, enhances professional credibility, provides access to higher job levels and higher salaries, promotes recognition of nurses by other professionals and patients, and improves nurses’ confidence and personal satisfaction.
ONLINE PRACTICE: Unlike Barron's CCRN Exam Flashcards and CCRN app, the book provides detailed content review plus practice tests in the book and online. Kaplan's Adult CCRN Prep provides practice tests in the book but not online.
TOP 10 STATES BY # of CCRNs (source: AACN’s website as of 1/15/21, The totals include all CCRN certificants — Adult, Pediatric and Neonatal):
- California 11,501
- Texas 8,084
- Florida 6,770
- New York 5,768
- Pennsylvania 5,122
- New Jersey 3,761
- Illinois 3,519
- Ohio 3,432
- North Carolina 3,272
- Washington 2,679
TEST NAME: CCRN (widely called “Critical Care Registered Nurse,” but this is NOT the official test name); note that this book is specifically for the Adult CCRN Exam (as opposed to the Pediatric CCRN Exam and the Neonatal CCRN Exam)
TEST LOCATIONS: U.S., select international cities
TEST DATES: Year-round
TEST FORMAT: Computer
AUDIENCE: Nurses pursuing certification in adult critical care nursing
PREVIOUS EDITION: 9781438012346,
Adult CCRN ExamTESTMAKER: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
data sources:
https://www.aacn.org/certification/preparation-tools-and-handbooks/exam-stats-and-scores
https://www.aacn.org/certification/get-certified/ccrns-by-state