What is CCRN Certification?
CCRN stands for Critical Care Registered Nurse. The CCRN is a certification for RNs who provide direct care to acute or critically ill patients. A CCRN may sub-specialize in adult, pediatric, or neonatal patient care.
For nurses who do not provide direct patient care, a CCRN-K is a knowledge-based certification that may be appropriate for managers, supervisors, or administrators.
The CCRN certification is provided through the American Association of Critical Care Nurses, and accredited organization by the NCCA.
How to Become a CCRN
1. Current U.S. RN or APRN License is Required
2. Complete Required Clinical Practice Hours
Two Year Option
– For those who have practiced as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct care of acutely/critically ill patients in the past 2 years. At least 875 hours of this direct care must be within the most recent year preceding the application
Five Year Option
– For those who have practiced as an RN or APRN for at least 5 years with a minimum of 2,000 hours of direct care in acutely / critically ill patients. At least 144 hours of this direct care must be within the most recent year preceding the application.
3. Apply for Certification Online
You must be a member of the AACN to apply for and to become certified as a CCRN. Annual membership is $78 and student discounts are available. Once a member, you can apply for the CCRN on the AACN website.
4. CCRN Exam Prep
The CCRN Exam Handbook provides an outline of the material covered in the exam, but it is up to you to study the material.
There are very helpful CCRN study guides and CCRN exam prep courses available. If you learn best through video lessons (hearing and visually seeing material), I would highly recommend an online CCRN prep program.
With many programs, you can access the entire prep course and also complete all of your CEUs for the year under the same membership.
5. Schedule and Take the Exam
The CCRN exam is a 3 hour exam that consists of 150 items. Only 125 question items are scored and 25 items are not scored (used for future test development).
Computer based test results are available immediately following the exam.
If you do not pass the CCRN exam, you may re-register (at a discounted rate) and sit up to 4 times in a 12 month period.
CCRN Review Course
The CCRN Exam Handbook is a very helpful resource that outlines the application process, certificate renewal steps, and also contains an outline of content and practice exam questions for each sub-specialty.
CCRN Practice Questions
CCRN Review questions are available in the handbook as well as online.
