CCRN Certification
What exactly is CCRN? The CCRN certification is a highly sought-after level of skill held by only the most confident and knowledgeable nurses. After all, as nurses, we frequently pause when making a decision in our practice. Wouldn't it be better to base our decisions on more information in order to make the best decision? The CCRN will increase nurses' confidence and enable them to advocate for patients more effectively.
CCRN Certification
Although the CCRN stands for "Critical Care Registered Nurse," the certification does not guarantee that the nurse in issue holds an RN license rather than an LPN license. The AACN (American Association of Colleges of Nursing), a professional accreditation agency, provides it.
The CCRN certification exam has three versions: one for pediatrics, one for adults, and one for neonates. Which one you choose is determined by your area of specialization as a nurse.
CCRN Requirements
What are the CCRN prerequisites? A nurse must hold a formal license and complete one of two clinical requirements to be qualified to take the exam. The first requirement is that you have worked as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct bedside care of acutely and/or critically ill patients in the last two years, with 875 of those hours coming in the most recent year before applying. The second requirement is that you have worked as an RN or APRN for at least five years and have 2,000 hours of direct bedside care of acutely and/or critically ill patients, with 144 of those hours accumulated in the most recent year before applying. Nurses with insufficient experience may be barred from taking the exam. However, if a nurse has sufficient experience in two or all three categories, he or she may take all three tests at the same time.
CCRN Certification Exam
Even if they are eligible for more than one specialty, most nurses will choose to pursue only one at a time. Each test will ask nurses questions about every facet of their field of study, including biological systems, nursing care, and psychological issues. There are numerous review books and courses available to help you prepare for the CCRN, but the best instructor is time. The Critical Care Nursing Certification should not be taken lightly, and at least a month or two of careful study should be given to each clinical area.
The CCRN exam lasts three hours and includes 150 questions, 125 of which are scored and 25 of which are not. The final 25 questions are used to collect statistical data on question performance for future tests. The questions are based on the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care, with 80 percent focusing on clinical judgment and the remaining 20 percent on Professional Caring and Ethical Practice. What exactly is the AACN Synergy model? It is the notion that patient outcomes are inextricably tied to nursing clinical care; thus, clinical care should be administered using evidence-based practice. This practice has demonstrated that clinical expertise is not the only factor associated with improved results; professional care, diverse response, and a variety of other abilities are just a few of the attributes that an effective nurse must possess.
Salary for a CCRN
You are eligible for the top end of your specialty's compensation scale once you have achieved your Critical Care Certification. Assuming you are a registered nurse, you can expect to earn up to $87,000 per year, depending on the level of responsibility in your employment. That represents a significant increase over the usual RN compensation of $66,000 per year.
After receiving your CCRN, you may be qualified for a more leadership-oriented position, such as nursing supervisor or clinical manager. It all relies on the setting in which you want to operate. Many nurses may choose to just apply their acquired skills and knowledge in clinical practice and forsake any further academic growth. Either option is satisfying and will greatly benefit your nursing profession.