AACN certification covering critical care nursing across adult ICU and progressive care settings.
Who it's for
Registered nurses with direct bedside care experience with acutely and critically ill adult patients — AACN built CCRN around its Synergy Model, matching nurse competencies to patient needs, so it's aimed squarely at ICU nurses who want formal recognition of complex critical-care judgment.
What's covered
- Clinical judgment (80% of the scored exam) — cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, GI, renal, neurological, musculoskeletal, and multisystem content
- Professional caring and ethical practice — 20%
What to expect
AACN writes CCRN items around realistic patient scenarios rather than isolated facts — most questions ask you to prioritize an intervention or interpret a clinical picture, matching the exam's clinical-judgment-first design.
How to prepare
AACN's own resources include the CCRN Exam Handbook (free, with the full test plan and sample questions), a CCRN/PCCN review course, and AACN's practice-question products; candidates with solid bedside ICU experience commonly study for several weeks, focusing on the highest-weighted body systems first.