To get CCRN certified you need to meet specific eligibility criteria and clinical practice hours. This certification proves you’re an expert in critical care nursing. In this guide we’ll break down everything you need to know about CCRN requirements and how to meet them.
Key Points
- CCRN certification requires a valid RN or APRN license and specific clinical practice hours, with options to accrue 1,750 hours over two years or 2,000 hours over five years in direct care of critically ill patients.
- The application process for CCRN certification involves submitting an application form with required documentation, including proof of clinical experience and educational qualifications, with application fees based on AACN membership status.
- Certification is good for three years and requires renewal through continuing education or retaking the CCRN exam, with a minimum of 432 hours of direct patient care during the certification period.
CCRN Certification Requirements
CCRN certification recognizes registered nurse and APRNs who care for critically ill patients. This certification is a badge of advanced knowledge and commitment to the highest standards in critical care nursing. But before you can wear the CCRN badge with pride you need to understand the certification requirements thoroughly.
CCRN certification requirements are designed to ensure only those with the right experience and expertise in critical care nursing are certified. Candidates must meet specific eligibility pathways and accrue a certain number of clinical practice hours. Let’s get into the details.
Eligibility Pathways
CCRN certification is available to Registered Nurses (RN) and Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) who want to demonstrate expertise in caring for critically ill patients. There are two different pathways to meet CCRN eligibility requirements, making it accessible to more critical care nurses. Unlike the ACNP certification which requires a master’s degree and advanced practice certification, CCRN can be pursued with a nursing license and varying levels of critical care experience.
You need an active, unrestricted RN or APRN license to qualify for CCRN certification. The Direct Care Eligibility Pathway is for nurses in direct care roles for critically ill adult patients, so those who work at the bedside can showcase their expertise and dedication.
Clinical Practice Hours
Accruing clinical practice hours is the foundation of meeting CCRN requirements. Candidates can meet eligibility through two options: one for 1,750 hours over two years or another for 2,000 hours over five years. These hours must be primarily in caring for critically ill patients and verifiable by a clinical supervisor.
Clinical practice hours can be accrued in U.S. or Canada-based facilities that meet U.S. nursing practice standards. Only hours spent in direct care or supervising nurses or nursing students at the bedside count towards the certification requirement. This ensures candidates have hands-on experience in critical care settings.
Out of the required clinical hours, a certain number must be accrued in the most recent year before applying for certification. Candidates can choose between two options for clinical practice hours: APRN for 1,750 hours over the past two years or a minimum of 2,000 hours over five years. This flexibility allows nurses to plan their certification journey according to their work schedules and commitments, including the hours accrued.
CCRN Certification Application
Once you meet the eligibility requirements the next step is to navigate the CCRN application process. This involves submitting a completed application form with required documentation to start the CCRN certification process. The Direct Care Eligibility Pathway for nurses delivering direct care to critically ill patients is one of the most common routes for eligibility related matters.
The application process is straightforward but requires attention to detail. Candidates must gather all required documentation, including proof of clinical experience, educational qualifications and verification of eligibility related.
Verification of Eligibility
To be eligible for CCRN certification you must:
- Have a valid, unrestricted RN or APRN license.
- Complete clinical practice hours in facilities that meet U.S. standards for acute and critical care nursing.
- Verify eligibility by documenting clinical practice hours, which can be confirmed by a clinical supervisor or a professional colleague. Also, candidates must practice as an RN to meet the requirements.
Candidates can choose between a two-year or five-year option for meeting the clinical practice hour requirements for CCRN certification in the past five years. This flexibility allows candidates to tailor their certification journey to their professional and personal schedules.
Application Fees
The application fees for CCRN certification vary based on AACN membership status. The fee for non-members is $370 and $255 for AACN members. Joining AACN is beneficial for applicants as it reduces the application fee and provides many resources and support for critical care nurses.
AACN membership not only reduces the application fee but also gives access to a wealth of resources and support for critical care nurses. So it’s worth the investment for many aspiring CCRNs.
CCRN Exam Prep
Preparing for the CCRN exam is a critical step in the certification journey. Effective preparation means understanding the key resources and strategies for study. Use the score report to guide your study focus for future attempts at the CCRN exam.
The score report shows performance in different content areas and where to focus your study.
Study Materials
Recommendations for studying lab values and medications include:
- Using recent acute or critical care nursing textbooks published within the last five years.
- Refer to the exam reference list in the Exam Handbook which contains validated resources for various conditions.
- Take an exam review course for structured guidance and resources, available through AACN or at their annual NTI Conference.
AACN offers many educational resources including practice exams and preparation tools for CCRN certification. Many online platforms offer a range of study resources including practice exams and courses specifically for CCRN certification.
Practice Exams
Taking practice exams is crucial to get familiar with the exam format and test-taking skills. Practicing with AACN’s online practice exam subscription offers:
- A realistic exam experience with randomized questions and rationales for answers.
- A mobile-friendly platform.
- Randomized questions that mimic the actual exam format to get familiar and prepared.
AACN offers an online practice exam for a fee. It costs $30 for non-members and $25 for members. This is a worthwhile investment to build confidence and be ready for the CCRN exam.
CCRN Exam Format
Understanding the CCRN exam format is key to preparation. The CCRN exam consists of:
- 150 multiple-choice questions
- 125 scored questions
- 25 unscored items
- 3 hours to complete the examThe exam blueprint is a study tool, outlining content areas with percentage of the exam.
Question Types
The CCRN exam has a specific distribution of question types, both clinical judgment and ethical practice. About 80% of the questions on the CCRN exam test clinical judgment and 20% are ethical practice. Knowing this distribution will help you focus your study.
Testing Centers and Scheduling
Registration for the CCRN exam can be done on the AACN’s website or by mailing required documents. The exam is available at various testing centers year-round through the AMP website. With over 300 testing locations nationwide, you have many options to choose from.
It’s recommended to arrive early on exam day to allow time for check-in and any unexpected delays. You must bring an acceptable form of identification with a recognizable photo to enter the testing center. Upon arrival, you will go through a check-in process that includes identity verification and instructions for the exam.
What to Do If You Fail the CCRN Exam
Failing the CCRN exam is discouraging but it’s not the end of the road. Candidates who fail the CCRN exam are eligible for discounted retake fees and can take the exam multiple times within a certain period.
Review the score report to pinpoint weak areas so you can focus your study on specific topics for future attempts.
Retake Policy
You can take the CCRN exam up to 4 times within a 12-month period with discounted fees for subsequent attempts. This gives you multiple chances to improve and get certified.
Score Report
Review the score report to identify areas for improvement if you fail the CCRN exam. The report breaks down performance by content areas and shows strengths and weaknesses. Computer-based testing provides immediate feedback.
Use both the immediate feedback and score report analysis to improve future exam preparation and performance. This targeted approach will significantly increase your chances of success on next attempts.
Maintaining and Renewing Your CCRN Certification
CCRN certification is valid for 3 years. You can renew CCRN certification online or by retaking the CCRN exam.
To maintain certification, you need to show proof of continued education which is 100 CERPs.
Recertification Options
You can maintain CCRN certification by completing continuing education or by retaking the CCRN exam. Nurses can fulfill recertification by accumulating CERPs or by passing the CCRN exam again. Professional organizations like the AACN offer continuing education opportunities to maintain CCRN certification.
Another way to recertify is to retake the CCRN exam before the expiration date. Hours spent supervising or managing nurses at the bedside may also count towards the clinical practice hour requirement.
Direct Care
A minimum of 432 hours of direct patient care is required for CCRN certification renewal. To renew CCRN certification, a nurse must have 432 hours of direct patient care in the 3-year period. This ensures the nurse is hands-on with critically ill patients, keeping their skills current and relevant.
At least 144 of the required direct care hours must be completed in the year leading up to the certification renewal. All direct care hours for renewal must be with acutely or critically ill patients. Eligible hours of direct care must be in healthcare facilities that meet U.S. standards for acute or critical care nursing.
Benefits of CCRN Certification
Getting CCRN certified is not just a professional achievement; it has many benefits that go beyond personal accomplishment:
- CCRN certification is a common nursing certification for critical care, recognized across healthcare institutions.
- It makes you more desirable to hiring teams, opens up more job opportunities and career advancement.
- It assures patients of skilled care.
- It refreshes critical care knowledge.
CCRN certification advances your career and impacts patient outcomes. Certified nurses make more informed, evidence-based decisions and better patient care.
Career Advancement
Nurses with CCRN certification benefit:
- They increase their credibility and demonstrate expertise in critical care.
- They are more competitive for job positions and get better job opportunities.
- Many employers offer financial incentives, such as higher pay, for nurses who get CCRN certified.
Having CCRN certification can also lead to higher job satisfaction and better salary.
Impact on Patient Care
Certification is a mark of excellence, benefits patients, employers and nurses. Nursing certifications are linked to positive impact on patient care and outcomes. CCRN certification helps nurses make informed, evidence-based decisions that can improve patient outcomes.CCRN certified nurses have better patient outcomes due to their specialized knowledge and skills.
CCRN vs Other Nursing Certifications
Comparing CCRN certification with other nursing certifications will help you decide which certification fits your career goals. CCRN certification is for acutely and critically ill adult patients while ACNP certification allows for a broader scope including advanced practice nursing.
Understanding these comparisons will help nurses make informed decisions on which certifications align with their professional goals and patient care preferences.
Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
Both CCRN and ACNP certifications focus on critical care but:
- ACNPs can prescribe medications and manage patients independently.
- ACNPs have advanced practice degrees.
- ACNPs manage complex patient care in acute settings.
CCRN is for bedside nurses while ACNP certification is for advanced practice nurses who manage patient care and make clinical decisions.
Pediatric Critical Care
Pediatric-focused certifications like Certified Pediatric Nurse (CPN) are for nurses who specialize in critically ill children. These certifications often require passing an exam and having specific clinical experience in pediatric settings.
Pediatric critical care certifications require specialized knowledge in managing critically ill children which can be very different from adult-focused certifications like CCRN as they care for acutely critically ill children.
Resources for Aspiring CCRNs
Various online platforms offer study materials, forums and resources for CCRN exam preparation. American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers free ccrn exam handbook and CCRN review courses to help with exam prep.
Join online communities to get access to shared resources and peer support.
Online Communities
Join online forums and social media groups for CCRN certification to get:
- Support for aspiring CCRNs
- Shared experiences among members
- Connect with others
- Ask for advice on certification
These communities are great for sharing study tips, personal experiences and exam strategies.
Professional Organizations
Membership in organizations like AACN offers networking opportunities, connect with industry leaders and peers. It also enhances professional development and provides access to exclusive educational resources.
American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) has online groups for critical care topics where acute critical care nursing practice can connect and share expertise.
Getting CCRN Certified
CCRN certification is a journey that involves understanding the requirements, preparing for the exam and maintaining the certification through continuous education. This guide has walked you through the process from eligibility pathways and clinical practice hours to application and exam prep. The benefits of CCRN certification goes beyond career advancement, it impacts patient care and outcomes.
By following this step-by-step guide, aspiring CCRNs can navigate the certification process with confidence and achieve their professional goals. Go through the journey, use the resources and be proud of the impact you will make as a CCRN certified nurse.
FAQs
What are the eligibility requirements for CCRN certification?
To be eligible for CCRN certification you must have an active, unrestricted RN or APRN license and complete either 1,750 clinical practice hours in the last 2 years or 2,000 hours in the last 5 years including some hours from the most recent year.
How much does it cost to apply for CCRN certification?
Cost to apply for CCRN certification is $370 for non-members and $255 for AACN members.
What study materials do I need for CCRN exam prep?
For CCRN exam prep use recent acute care nursing textbooks, exam reference list in the Exam Handbook, AACN educational resources and online practice exams. These will provide a solid foundation for your studies.
What if I fail the CCRN exam?
If you fail the CCRN exam you can retake it up to 4 times within a year at a discounted rate. Review your score report to identify weak areas and focus your studies on those topics.
How do I maintain my CCRN certification?
To maintain your CCRN certification you must complete 100 CERPs or retake the CCRN exam and have a minimum of 432 hours of direct patient care including at least 144 hours in the year prior to renewal.
