Customer Reviews

Pass CCRN!

5 star:		(34)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've read them all..."Pass CCRN" is the best review book on the market! It is well organized and easy to use. The content is presented with more depth than most outline-based review books. In addition, the enclosed CD of computer-based questions is a wonderful addition.

Certification is best achieved by using more than one book or product. However, if you can only afford one, get "Pass CCRN." It has the most to offer.

For best results: use the CD and practice the questions, go back to the text for review, and apply the concepts at work.

Includes more information than you will see on the 2004 exam, (e.g., myxedema coma, dopamine). I do not appreciate the outline format. Tables and illustrations are very good. Mind games (puzzles) are good for re-enforcing the information in the respective chapters. The best learning tool is the included CD: there are all major organ systems that are tested on the exam; the questions can be segregated by organ system or randomly mixed; number of questions per session can be set as desired. Available options include grading, tagging a specific question, and most notably the responses include rationale w/ memory aids to help retain this vital information. Overall, I state that it is an excellent learning aid, but I highly recommend that you verify the inclusion of the study CD before buying a used, or older, version. The CD alone is well worth the price. Combine it as an adjunct with newer CCRN study guides, as the 2004 exam has changed and the Pass CCRN has not. It would be an excellent text for critical care orientation, but for the exam, I think a prospective candidate would rather not have to read anymore than she or he needs to, to pass. I also therefore recommend attending a CCRN review by any speakers who are also item writers: generally they do not hesitate to tell you what you will and won't see on the exam.

Nursing education, like that of any profession, has a half life, and with scientific advances occurring at an exponential rate, that half life is growing shorter with each passing year. No where is this more evident than in intensive care. As an older nurse listening to the new grads, I realize this over and over. While experience has taught me the "hows" and "whens" of many events, procedures, treatments, etc., even in a teaching hospital it has not necessarily taught me the "whys" of things, which makes it difficult to predict and to prevent negative outcomes. The education which was adequate in the time in which it was received may be woefully inadequate in today's modern ICU, and with nursing shortages approaching critical mass, older nurses will and probably should be encouraged to remain in their practice. While taking the CCRN exam may not improve the situation, studying for it certainly will. Since I received my license, I have attempted to periodically review some aspect of my profession: chemistry, A&P, nutrition, pharmacology, etc. The CCRN exam books have been a wonderful source of ICU specific information, and over the years I've purchased several of them. Each author has his/her own format which trains the student along certain pathways. Using more than one has helped me a lot. For strips and 12-leads, I've relied on the Rapid Interpretation of EKG's by Dr Dale Dubin. I purchased my first copy in the 1970s, when it first came out, and recently bought the new volume for the new information it contains. As an SICU nurse, I don't do more than simple monitor work, so my knowledge of the fine points is limited and requires periodic review. (I'm in total awe of CCU nurses; to me they seem almost psychic!) Among the three CCRN review books I've read recently (Critical Care Examination REVIEW, Vonfrolio and Noone; Critical Care Certification, Ahrens and Prentice; and Pass CCRN, Dennison) each has its points. The Vonfrolio book is quick, direct, and compact. Among others, it has 187 questions dedicated to CV alone, and 135 to pulmonary. With these two areas the core of the Exam and certainly core to ICU, it provides a good work out. The plus with this text, is that it provides a good run down of why the right answer is right and the wrong answers wrong. It helps one think the problem through the way one would at the bedside. There are no "answers in the back" of ICU! What this book lacks, however, is a review of A&P. The Ahrens book and the Dennison volume do provide it. I found the review of A&P in Pass CCRN almost daunting, however, because it's in outline form. It packs in massive amounts of information over a few pages. One tends to scan rather than read it. The exercises in the book are excellent, helping one think about principles rather than "answers," increasing knowledge base through thought processes rather than pt specific information. I found the crossword puzzles less useful to me and passed over them, but then I'm not a crossword puzzle person; those who are, may find it a perfect way to learn. The A&P in Ahrens is in a narrative format, which may be easier for most learners than an outline. It provides a less detailed but still adequate description of each system at the beginning of the chapter dedicated to it, and the questions are more geared to test A&P concepts. I found the information provided was more naturally memorable than a list of facts. While I make and use flash cards for memorization purposes, I try not to rely on rote to achieve my learning goals because it seems too temporary. The Dennison outline is a flashcard writ large! If this is the best way for you to learn, however, go for it. The strength of the Dennison book really, is it's detailed discussion of test taking. While most of the CCRN books give you general tips: get plenty of rest, eat a salty breakfast (?), guess if you don't know, etc, the Dennison text takes each individual question and teaches the student how to examine it for clues. It teaches test taking principles. For those of you who are actually studying for the exam itself, especially if you are prone to test anxiety, the Dennison is probably the best book for you for that very reason. All four books are excellent resources for the ICU nurse.

This book is a excellent resource for the critical care nurse. The author covers all body systems with depth and detail. Whether you are serious about taking the CCRN examination, or need a good critical care reference "Pass CCRN " is the book to purchase. This book will assist you in sharpening your skills and modify your clinical practice. I have had the opportunity of participating in several of the authors lectures. Ms. Dennison is constantly researching current practice issues and updating her lecture material to reflect the ever changing health care field. Make an effort to hear the author if she is ever in your area.

If you like reading material that will put you to sleep this is the book for you. I was very dissapointed in this book. The book is just a collection of material from other books. It reads like a research paper. I was hoping to have more material concerning nursing questions. The only thing that is more disappointing about this book is the price I paid for it. The only reason I did not give this book one star is that it has a cd rom that is somewhat helpful.

I just passed my CCRN with solely the review of this book and CD-ROM. This book is all you need. I took a review course and it was completely uninformative. This book is all you need!! It is excellent. I can't explain the Gratitude I feel for this study guide, and I highly recommend this book and CD-ROM. Study this and you WILL pass. Also recommend the Laura Gesparos tapes.

I purchased this book to help me study for nursing. I have found it to be extremely helpful in reviewing materials that would easily encompass several larger texts, as well as giving just the right amount of depth on each subject. I frequently use this book to prepare lectures on various critical care topics. The illustrations are great in supporting the text. The outline format of the book facilitates easier learning, in my opinion. As a cardiovascular technician, I find the first section to be invaluable in refreshing my memory on such topics as hemodynamic monitoring and basic pathophysiology. I strongly encourage anyone who works in critical care, or is considering doing so, purchase this book.

THIS BOOK IS EXCELLENT! I USED THIS BOOK TO PASS CCRN FIVE YEARS AGO. I STILL USE IT FOR REFERENCE! IT IS WELL ORGANIZED AND PERFECT.

Great text to enhance your ICU skills. Excellent reference for all adult ICU settings. This book covers a broad spectrum of topics including the new chapter on Professional Caring and Ethical Practice.

I just passed CCRN!! This book was way too complicated,hard to follow, and much more information than is needed for the test. The CD included is very good practice for the test, well worth the $50.00 the book costs. Gasparis has much better CD's and study book with 800 questions.