Are you looking to become a certified critical care nurse and searching for help with how to pass CCRN? If you are looking for the best CCRN review books to kick start your test-taking journey, you have come to the right place. This list will provide you with some of the best options for getting a jump start on what you will need to know and cover for the exam.
The CCRN exam is required to validate your nursing care knowledge for acute or critically ill patients. The test is aimed at RN and APRN nurses. Imagine walking in on a patient and not knowing how to handle the scenario. Not only is it embarrassing it could be the difference between life or death. Passing the CCRN exam is essential to working in intensive care units, critical care units, or trauma units. The books on this list are aimed at giving you the best review possible. They are even recommended by people who were once in your shoes.
If you want to just get back to studying, get our top choice for CCRN review books here.
Keep reading to see the best CCRN review books for you.
Last update: 2024-05-02
Our Favorites for the Best CCRN Review Books
Barron's Adult CCRN Exam Premium by Patricia Juarez
Barron’s Adult CCRN Exam Premium prep book comes highly recommended by test takers looking to go into critical care nursing. Barron continues to be the frontrunner for exam preparation materials, and this is a best seller in its niche.
What Makes It Unique:
- Barron’s Adult CCRN Exam Premium is easy to read and structured in a way that is simple for all users to understand and follow. Some users loved the conversational tone of the text and how it explicitly explains what will be on the exam and what to expect. There is no added fluff or filler text.
- Barron's CCRN review book is packed with information to get students through the CCRN exam. Not only does the book feature 3 CCRN practice tests, but it also features a diagnostic test to gauge where you are in your learning. This pre-test will aid you in determines which areas need to be covered more intensely.
- Users who purchase Barron’s review book will also get a full online exam. This exam features all CCRN practice questions explained and answered.
- The post chapter practice questions are a great way to ensure you are retaining the needed information.
Why Choose this CCRN Book:
- The format of the questions presented on the exams within the text is exceptionally similar to the actual items and structure you will find on the CCRN exam.
- Barron’s also offers CCRN Exam flash cards which may be helpful when used in conjunction with the review text.
- Many students found that this text was more beneficial and contained more information than their paid online study courses. After finishing the entire book, most students were able to successfully pass the exam with this as their only or leading resource.
- Juarez RN MS, Pat (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 408 Pages - 09/06/2022 (Publication Date) - Barrons Educational Services (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-02
Critical Care Examination Review by Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio and Joanne Noone
Critical Care Examination Review is used and recommended by nurses across the country in preparation for the CCRN examination. Laura Gasparis is known for creating great texts surrounding essential care, and many users rave that this book is no different. She is the author of not only this book but books for the Emergency Nursing exam, books concerning HemoDynamics monitoring, and many more. She is a highly trusted resource.
What Makes It Unique:
- The Critical Care Examination Review is a question-based text which is structured by the body system. Therefore, users can quickly research items based on the body system they are associated to.
- The book follows a question and answer format. It also provides an expanded answer to explain the rationale behind the correct and incorrect answers.
- This is not a book you would read page by page but instead interact with. The questions in this book can be used for self-review or for quizzing others.
Why Choose this CCRN Book:
- This text provides a concise option for an otherwise complex subject. It reinforces the information that students will need to know and helps students remember concepts.
- Students love everything that this book has to offer. Some users found the questions to be complicated. However, the given rationale provides information to not only help them understand the answer but gain knowledge about the various body systems.
- This text is an excellent text for individuals who learn through applications and questions rather than reading mass amounts of text.
- The book is smaller than average but still powerful. Many used it as their sole preparation for the exam and passed the test with flying colors.
- Brand New in box. The product ships with all relevant accessories
- Vonfrolio, Laura Gasparis (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update: 2024-05-03
PASS CCRN by Robin Donohoe
Pass CCRN is a well-known text that is aimed at providing a focused content review for the CCRN examination. It gives detailed information on each test section as well as activities that will help you focus your learning. Material is also provided online via the Evolve website.
What Makes It Unique:
- PASS CCRN is structured much like a chapter review, and it is segmented based on a given body system. Each system or chapter includes several tables, graphs, charts, and supplemental information to ensure you have all of the right information to pass the exam.
- Some chapters also include the underlying nurse competencies, which a chapter or section satisfies.
- End of chapter learning activities is provided at the end of every chapter to keep students engaged in what they are reading and enforce the retention of information.
- If having the section by section review isn’t enough, the text also provides access to over 1000 review questions online. These can be taken as a practice exam using exam mode or within study mode for practice.
Why Choose this CCRN Book:
- Though there were mixed reviews about the book being printed in blue ink, there was a consensus on the book being excellent for prepping for the CCRN exam.
- Though the questions are not directly in the text, the CCRN practice questions are an excellent way for students to not only study for the exam but practice for the exam as well.
- This text has been updated each time the CCRN exam has been updated. This update happens to ensure that it stays in sinks with the current information nurses are being tested on.
- Dennison DNP CNE NEA-BC NPD-BC, Robin Donohoe (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 576 Pages - 07/06/2023 (Publication Date) - Elsevier (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-03
The Runner-Ups for the Best CCRN Review Books
Critical Care Nursing Certification: Preparation, Review, and Practice Exams by Alexander Johnson, Hillary Crumlett
Critical Care Nursing Certification covers all of the information you need to pass the CCRN exam. The information included about each subject mimics the weight of the items on the actual CCRN exam. Users even get exams to aid in preparation and boost their test-taking skills.
What Makes It Unique:
- Included with Critical Care Nursing Certification are ten practice exams. These exams are focused on various body systems. One exam can be utilized when first starting the text to serve as a pre-test. This will allow users to understand what areas they are weak and secure in.
- This book does not follow an outline or review structure. Instead, the material is presented in short, conversational style chapters.
- The text also provides tips for doing well on the exam, as well as an explanation of changes in the exam, emphasis on important information, and even the number of questions you should expect.
Why Choose this CCRN Book:
- Many readers love this text as it provides thorough explanations rather than just bullet points on specific topics. These explanations are well thought out and easily understood.
- The practice questions are subject-specific and an overall game changer when preparing for the questions on the exam.
- Johnson, Alexander (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 752 Pages - 08/29/2017 (Publication Date) - McGraw Hill / Medical (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-03
Adult CCRN Prep: 2 Practice Tests + Proven Strategies (Kaplan Test Prep)
Kaplan is a notable name in the test prep community. They guarantee a passing score using their materials, or you will receive your money back for the cost of the text. The Adult CCRN Prep book also comes with two practice exams to aid you in your journey to the CCRN certification.
What Makes It Unique:
- Students using this text rave that the book covers the subjects in detail and terms that any readers would be able to understand. It is not overloaded with medical jargon. The information is straightforward and beneficial.
- Adult CCRN Prep also comes with a 25-question diagnostic quiz. This quiz aids users in emphasizing the right subject areas to create a CCRN study schedule, which is beneficial and realistic.
- The text also offers guidance on how to tackle a variety of question types to ensure that users are approaching the question correctly and allocating the right amount of time to answer them.
Why Choose this CCRN Book:
- If you are looking for a detailed review of the Synergy Model for Patient Care, this is the perfect text for you.
- There are clear outlines of each chapter to show users what the chapter will cover before diving in. The imagery, including a variety of charts and graphs, are clear and easy to understand.
- Readers raved about the score raising strategies which the Kaplan Test Prep book offers and the chapter reviews that the text provides to ensure that you have retained the needed material.
- Kaplan Nursing (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 468 Pages - 10/03/2017 (Publication Date) - Kaplan Test Prep (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-03
The Value Picks for the Best CCRN Review Books
Ace the CCRN You Can Do It! Study Guide by Nicole Kupchik
If you are looking for a short and concise guide to help you reach the finish line, this is it. This book is designed to provide you with the main ideas and critical information.
What Makes It Unique:
- Unlike many of the more massive textbooks, Ace the CCRN You Can Do It is only a little over 240 pages. It provides you only the most crucial information you will need to pass the exam and is split between each of the systems.
- This book is not designed to give detailed explanations but instead provides keywords, terms, and characteristics of a variety of concepts.
- The text uses a combination of underling, bold fonts, and word placement to ensure that you retain the essential information for the exam.
Why Choose this CCRN Book:
- Ace the CCRN provides a snapshot of the information which test-takers need to know. It is recommended for it to be used in conjunction with the corresponding question book.
- If you have been studying and need a book that will reinforce what you retained and you want the ability to take it anywhere, this is it. This book can fit into a purse of a messenger bag with ease. This is a nice quick reference guide to study from when you can’t carry around a full textbook.
- Kupchik, Nicole (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 284 Pages - 12/02/2016 (Publication Date) - Nicole Kupchik (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-03
Pediatric CCRN Exam Secrets Study Guide: CCRN Test Review for the Critical Care Nurses Certification Examinations by CCRN Exam Secrets Test Prep Team
If you are looking for a more focused CCRN prep book, Pediatric CCRN Exam Secrets Study Guide is the perfect pediatric CCRN review book. The text includes a review of ethical practices, as well as an overview of the exam.
What Makes It Unique:
- The clinical judgment portion of the text covers a variety of topics. These include pulmonary, endocrine, renal, and many more.
- Each of the practice questions listed in the book contains answers and detailed explanations.
- The sections are structured in a way that allows them to flow and build upon each other naturally.
Why Choose this CCRN Book:
- The book focuses on the essential information which will be needed for the exam.
- Many readers are grateful for not only the information which the book offers but the DVD information as well. The text comes with a free DVD to prepare users for the exam with test-taking strategies and tips.
- CCRN Exam Secrets Test Prep Team (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
- 252 Pages - 02/14/2013 (Publication Date) - Mometrix Media LLC (Publisher)
Last update: 2024-05-03
Summary of the Best CCRN Review Books
Here’s a table of what CCRN review books we evaluated:
Last update: 2024-05-02
Overall, there is something in this list for every learner and their differing styles. Rather you are looking for question-based, chapter-based, or outline based; there is a book on this list which has helped a multitude of nurses and can help you pass the CCRN exam.
It is no surprise that Barron's Adult CCRN Exam Premium tops the list as being one of the most recommended and thorough texts. Critical Care Examination Review is not too far behind as it offers students the question-based style that many are looking for.
If these two aren’t quite your style, there are several other options to choose from. All you need to do is grab a book, and your list of CCRN practice questions to get started. Those are two essentials needed to obtain your CCRN. However, if those two aren’t enough, create your CCRN study schedule to manage your progress and reach your goal effectively.
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