How Difficult is the CCRN Exam?

Many people are very intimidated by the prospect of taking the CCRN or Certified nurse specialist examination. They feel that the material is too difficult to grasp and that they will not be able to pass it. Nothing could be further from the truth.

First, on the contrary, the CCRN exam is very difficult to take. It has some elements that will test your nursing knowledge and expertise. However, the best way to approach the exam is to make sure that you can dedicate a reasonable amount of time to studying for it and also that you have taken adequate time to prepare for it. Most nurses who take the exam do not know what to expect and spend a lot of time on preparation that is ultimately useless.

You should start by looking through previous surveys to determine what topics are of interest to you. You may have a favorite teacher or professor, but you should find out how difficult it will be to review the material based upon those models and how long it will take you to review each segment. The same holds true for textbooks and other reading material. If you want to get a good understanding of the topic you will need to invest in plenty of time.

It is impossible to answer the question of how difficult is the CCRN exam without looking at past performances. You will need to look at the average scores for each area in order to see which ones are the most difficult. For example, if you studied and understood the concepts in the nursing theory section then you should find this section particularly challenging. Likewise, if you studied and understood the concepts in the clinical skills and leadership area then you should find this section relatively easy.

How long does it take to pass the CCRN exam? There is no single formula for determining how long an exam is likely to take, but you do need to consider your personal circumstances before you begin preparing. If you are very new to the nursing field, you are probably best advised to spend some extra time studying and trying to familiarize yourself with the exam format. In particular, you should look at the sample test questions and work through a strategy based on your answers. The more prepared you are, the greater your chances of success when it comes to answering the CCRN exam.

What resources do I need to prepare? Once you have determined how much time you can dedicate to studying and you have planned a study schedule, it is important to make sure that you spend that time in a systematic manner. By planning what to do in advance, you will be able to avoid the procrastination that often leads exam-lovers to give up too soon. It can be tempting to spend long periods of time going through the CCRN sample test, but you should avoid this temptation and make sure that you actually do understand the material before moving on to the real CCRN exam.

What are the other factors that lead to difficulty with the exam? There are many different factors that can lead to greater difficulty, including a lack of prior experience and poor study habits. One of the things that you should do is think about your prior experience in nursing. Most entry level nurses begin their career with a CCRN, but there are always a certain number of nurses who do not. If you studied well before getting your CCRN, then you should be confident that you will do well on the exam. If you studied poorly, then it may be necessary for you to take additional training to bring up to speed with the current standards in the medical profession.

When looking at how difficult the CCRN exam might be for you, keep in mind that all students will reach a point at which they will feel as though they are ready to pass. As long as you work hard and put in the effort, you should be able to pass the exam with flying colors. If you do not pass the first time, do not give up – keep working at it and you should eventually pass. It is important that you do not let anxiety affect your performance on the exam, because if you do, then you are making it more difficult than it needs to be.