Strategies For Success On The PCCN Exam

Strategies For Success On The PCCN Exam!!

Congratulations on your recent accomplishment.  You have finally become eligible to sit and take the PCCN National Exam.  The PCCN Exam was designed for those nurses who provide care for acutely ill adult patients who are moderately stable with an elevated risk on instability.  Specialty nurses interested in the PCCN Certification may work in areas such as intermediate care, direct observation, step-down, telemetry and transitional care units.  The PCCN Exam is a very tough exam to pass; so we have put together some strategies that we feel will help increase your chances of passing this exam on the first time.

Strategy One:  Purchase A Review Course

Now I know what you are thinking, but before you jump to conclusions, read a little further.  We definitely recommend you purchasing a PCCN Exam Review Course.  A good solid review course will cover all of the content currently listed on the PCCN Exam in addition to some practice questions.  Be sure to select a course that will give you a thorough overview of content.  If you do not have any study materials, we highly recommend purchasing a review course.  If you do not currently have one in mind, we offer an online study course that will definitely help prepare you for taking the exam.  If not our course, then do a google search.  Be sure and find a review course that offers some sort of guarantee for passing.

Strategy Two:  Multiple Choice Practice Questions

Currently the PCCN Exam consists of 125 multiple choice practice questions (AACN.org).  Although this number changes from time to time, it will not deviate that much.  We believe the learning curve for this exam is somewhere between 1500 to 2000 practice questions.  In other words, in order to be successful the first time, you need to answer at least 1500 multiple choice questions prior to exam day.  Please be sure an answer 125 questions in one sitting prior to exam day.  Most people fail this exam due to fatigue so you need to be able to go the distance of the exam.  Although we offer some review questions, there are tons of books on the market that offer questions as well.  Ideally you want to purchase an online question bank because this method mimics what you will see on exam day; computerized format.

Strategy Three:  Study Habits

You must develop good study habits prior to taking the exam.  The last thing you want to do is cram towards the end.  Cramming doesn’t work very well for this type of exam.  Sit down and map out a study plan, leaving time for rest and relaxation as well.  Be sure to include a day where you don’t do any studying at all.  Burn out can lead to test failure.  Please do not study or answer any test questions on the day prior to the exam because this method tends to raise your anxiety level.  Just relax the day prior to the exam and get a good nights rest, preferably 8+ hours.

Conclusion

In order to be successful on passing the PCCN Exam on your first attempt, you must have a strategy.  Develop a good plan prior to purchasing the actual exam from AACN.org.  Once you purchase the exam, you only have so many days before you have to take the exam.  Be sure to study all parts of the exam outline and practice at least 1500 multiple choice questions prior to your exam.  Good luck on your exam…..

If you are interested in some of the courses we offer, click on the links below for more information….