So, you’re thinking about a career as a critical care nurse.

Well, that’s awesome!

Let us cover the initial steps on this exciting career path together so you can get a better understanding of what you’re getting into.

We are talking here about your career for possibly the next 10 years, at the very least, and even the rest of your life. That is exciting and nerve-racking at the same time.

Let’s get to it then.

How do you become a critical care nurse?

You typically need to be a practicing registered nurse (RN) to become a critical care nurse. Depending on the demand for nurses who can provide such critical care, some medical facilities may hire licensed practical nurses (LPNs). So, to become a critical care nurse, you should earn a nursing degree or diploma, gain the required work experience, and pass the licensure examination.

For more information, read How to Become a Critical Care Nurse.

What type of schooling does a critical care nurse need?

To work as a critical care nurse, you need to obtain your RN credentials, for which you have to earn the appropriate diploma or degree (associate’s or bachelor’s) and then pass the NCLEX-RN.

What are the types of certifications and requirements needed to become a critical care nurse?

To become a critical care nurse, you need to be a registered nurse, for which you need to pass the NCLEX-RN exam. The most widely accepted certification for critical care nurses is CCRN, which is offered by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN). To qualify for the CCRN certification, you need to have two years of work experience in caring for patients in critical care and pass the CCRN Test. The certification has to be renewed every three years.

How long does it take to become a critical care nurse?

Once you have completed your nursing education and obtained the RN credentials, you need to have two years of work experience in caring for patients in critical care to take the CCRN certification test.

How much does it cost to become a critical care nurse?

The CCRN test fee for RNs with the requisite work experience is as follows:

  • CCRN computer-based test – $225 for AACN members and $330 for non-members
  • CCRN retest – $170 for AACN members and $275 for non-members
  • CCRN renewal test – $170 for AACN members and $275 for non-members

What is the CCRN Test?

You need to pass the CCRN test to obtain the CCRN certification and work as a critical care nurse. CCRN is a registered trademark, which certifies that an RN or an advanced practice RN has met the eligibility requirements of the AACN and achieved the level of knowledge needed to care for patients in critical care settings.

Passing the test confirms that you have achieved a higher level of clinical knowledge and that you are committed to promoting excellence in nursing. In addition, most hospitals, facilities, and organizations offer special incentives for nurses who obtain and maintain CCRN board certification status.

What are the eligibility requirements to take the CCRN Test?

Candidates must have an unrestricted/valid RN or APRN license in the United States. Candidates must also meet one of the following clinical requirements in order to take the CCRN test:

  • Option 1: Practice as an RN or APRN for 1,750 hours in direct bedside care of acutely and/or critically ill patients during the previous 2 years, with 875 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application, or
  • Option 2: Practice as an RN or APRN for at least 5 years with a minimum of 2,000 hours in direct bedside care of acutely and/or critically ill patients, with 144 of those hours accrued in the most recent year preceding application.
  • Eligible hours are those spent caring for one patient population (adult, pediatric or neonatal) in alignment with the test for which you are applying.
  • Hours must be completed in a U.S.-based or Canada-based facility or in a facility determined to be comparable to the U.S. standard of acute/critical care nursing practice.

How many questions are on the CCRN Test?

The CCRN Test consists of 150 questions, 125 of which are scored and the remaining are used to gather statistical data for future tests.

What are the Categories on the CCRN Test?

The CCRN test focuses on adult, pediatric, and neonatal patient populations. 80% of the test focuses on clinical judgment and is age-specific for the three populations, and 20% of the test focuses on professional caring and ethical practice.

Adult CCRN Test Plan

  • Clinical judgment (80%)
    • Cardiovascular (18%)
    • Pulmonary (17%)
    • Endocrine/hematology/gastrointestinal/renal/integumentary (20%)
    • Musculoskeletal/neurology/psychosocial (13%)
    • Multisystem (14%)
  • Professional caring and ethical practice (20%)
    • Advocacy/moral agency
    • Caring practices
    • Response to diversity
    • Facilitation of learning
    • Collaboration
    • Systems thinking
    • Clinical inquiry

Pediatric CCRN Test Plan

  • Clinical judgment (80%)
    • Cardiovascular (15%)
    • Pulmonary (16%)
    • Endocrine/hematology/gastrointestinal/renal/integumentary (19%)
    • Musculoskeletal/neurology/psychosocial (16%)
    • Multisystem (14%)
  • Professional caring and ethical practice (20%)
    • Advocacy/moral agency
    • Caring practices
    • Response to diversity
    • Facilitation of learning
    • Collaboration
    • Systems thinking
    • Clinical inquiry

Neonatal CCRN Test Plan

  • Clinical judgment (80%)
    • Cardiovascular (5%)
    • Pulmonary (24%)
    • Endocrine/hematology/gastrointestinal/renal/integumentary (24%)
    • Musculoskeletal/neurology/psychosocial (13%)
    • Multisystem (15%)
  • Professional caring and ethical practice (20%)
    • Advocacy/moral agency
    • Caring practices
    • Response to diversity
    • Facilitation of learning
    • Collaboration
    • Systems thinking
    • Clinical inquiry

How long does the CCRN Test typically last?

The CCRN test is a 3-hour timed test.

What is the passing grade needed for CCRN Test?

Each candidate’s performance on the test is measured against a predetermined standard. The passing point/cut score is based on the exam development committee’s established difficulty ratings for each test question. You typically need to get 70% (approximately 87 of 125) of the questions correct to pass the test.

How many times can you take the CCRN Test?

Candidates who do not pass the CCRN test are eligible to re-take the test for a discounted retest fee up to four times in a 12-month period.