Progressive Care Nurse Adult – PCCN Adult (AACN)
By Raising Careers Staff | Updated: August 2019
OVERVIEW
Certification Description
The Progressive Care Nurse Adult (PCCN Adult) certification is a specialty certification for nurses who provide direct patient care to acutely ill adult patients regardless of the patient’s physical location. Nurses with this certification may work in healthcare settings such as intermediate care, observation, telemetry, transitional care or emergency departments.
Nurses with this credential may have career advancement opportunities and higher pay that other professionals may not be eligible for.
Skills Focus
The certification focuses on the following areas:
- Ability to assess pain while keeping in mind the patient’s cognitive status and age
- Knowledge of the cardiovascular system on an advanced level
- Understanding of MRSA, VRE, CRE, ESBL
- Competency working with toxic ingestion, inhalations and drug overdose
- Ability to identify healthcare associated infections
- Knowledge of sepsis continuum
- Familiarity with normal versus abnormal assessment findings
- Understanding of how to perform bedside screening for dysphagia
- 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; Applicants must have completed 1 of the following clinical practice requirements: applicant has 1,750+ hours of experience working with acutely/critically ill patients, as a RN/APRN, with 875 of those hours being within the last year and/or applicant has 5+ years of experience, with 2,000 hours caring for patients who are acutely/critically ill. 144 of those hours must be within the last year; for other specific eligibility requirements, refer to the PCCN Exam Handbook
- Questions: 125 (100 scored)
- Time: 150 minutes
- Cost: Cost: $189 for AACN members and $289 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
PCCN Adult (AACN) Careers
Progressive Care Registered Nurse (RN) Careers
Jobs you can get with a PCCN 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
PCCN Adult (AACN) Training
Exam Preparation
- Study from the key topics on the Exam Handbook
- Complete practice questions
- Consider a self-assessment exam
- Consider flash cards
- Review study resources and materials
- Take an online review course
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.
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