CCNS Study Guide Review

The CCNS Exam is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) to certify qualified applicants as Critical Care Nurses Specialists.

Those who wish to apply for the CCNS exam must first meet the following eligibility requirements set forth by the CCNS:

* Applicant must have a valid RN license issued in the US.
* Applicant needs graduate program with nursing as the focus, including acute or critical care. Candidate must have experience both directly and indirectly with patients as indicated by the AACN.
* Applicant needs at least 500 hours through a Master’s program.

The CCNS exam covers the following topics:

* Questions about the patients who span the entire all the developmental stages
* Questions related to adult, neonatal, and pediatric patients
Applicants need to focus on the following areas to study for the exam:

* Clinical Judgment
o Cardiovascular
o Pulmonary
o Endocrine
o Hematology
o Neurology
o Gastrointestinal
o Renal
o Multisystem
* Professional Care and Ethics
o Morals
o Care Practices
o Collaborating
o Systems Analysis
o Response to Diversity
o Clinical Inquiry
o Education

The CCNS Exam consists of 175 multiple choice questions, out of which applicants are graded on 155.
The CCNS Exam application fee runs $245 for AACN members and $345 for nonmembers. Those who wish to retest or recertify pay $200 as members and $305 as nonmembers. Certification as a CCNS last for four years, at which time applicants need to recertify under the AACN.

The CCNS Exam is administered in computer based testing centers throughout the US. Applicants can apply to take the exam and receive their testing schedule within six weeks. They have a ninety day window to schedule and take the exam in one of the 270 US based CBT locations.

Recommended CCNS Study Guides:-

CCNS Study Guide

CCNS Flashcard