Acute/Critical Care Nursing – CCRN Adult (AACN)
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: August 2019
OVERVIEW
Certification Description
The Acute/Critical Care RN (CCRN Adult) certification is a specialty certification that certifies that an RN has the skill level and expertise to care for acutely and critically ill adult patients regardless of the patient’s physical location. Nurses with this certification typically work in intensive care units, trauma units, cardiac care units and/or critical care transport/flight.
Nurses with this specialty credential may have career advancement opportunities and higher pay that other nurses may not be eligible for.
Skills Focus
The certification focuses on the following areas:
- Knowledge of the cardiovascular system on an advanced level
- Understanding of ARDS, ALI, RDS, COPD and pulmonary emboli
- Competency working with bowel infarctions and obstructions
- Capability to identify health-care associated infections
- Knowledge of sepsis continuum
- Familiarity with normal versus abnormal assessment findings
- Willingness to comply with legislative, legal and ethical issues
Exam Objectives
Exam Details
- Issuing Organization: American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN)
- Prerequisites: Applicants must hold an active RN or APRN license; Applicant must complete one of the following clinical hours requirements: Applicant has 1,750+ hours of direct care working with acutely/critically ill patients within the last 2 years and/or applicant must have 2,000+ hours of direct care working with acutely/critically ill patients within the past 5 years; for other specific eligibility requirements, refer to the CCRN Exam Handbook
- Questions: 150 (125 scored)
- Time: 180 minutes
- Cost: Cost: $239 for AACN members and $344 for non-members
- Re-certification and certification renewal: Every 3 years
- Exam Outline and Certification Handbook
Other relevant details: Exam is given at PSI/AMP testing centers
CCRN Adult (AACN) Careers
Acute/Critical Care Registered Nurse (RN) Careers
Jobs you can get with a CCRN Adult (AACN) certification (additional requirements may apply):
- Registered Nurse (RN)
- Certified Critical Care Nurse
Salary (Base Level)
A specialty certification may not only increase your employability, but may increase your earnings potential as well. Keep in mind that your actual salary can vary substantially depending on region, job description and employer expectations. Reference salary for the Registered Nurse (RN) shown. Salary based on 2019 data.
National average per year: $71,730
National average per hour: $34.48
*Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
CCRN Adult (AACN) Training
Exam Preparation
- Study from the key topics on the Exam Handbook
- Complete practice questions
- Consider a self-assessment exam
- Review the books and study resources
- Consider flash cards
- Take an online review course
- Study from review books
Important: This is not a complete list of all certification training and learning options available. Remember to thoroughly research and choose study materials that fit your learning style and needs. This step is crucial to help you succeed in your certification exam.
@Raising Careers Inbox
Like this article? Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll send you a summary of everything new on Raising Careers once a week.