PCCN® Exam Update: Here’s What Nurses Need to Know!

Are you currently studying for the Progressive Care Certified Nurse (PCCN®) certification exam?

No matter what stage you are at in your certification journey, it is crucial to stay current on any changes that could impact your preparation.

In February of 2024, The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) made several updates to the PCCN® exam to better reflect the latest trends in patient care and clinical practices.

Let’s explore the key updates including changes to its structure, topics, and preparation tools to ensure you’re fully prepared for success.

Exam Structure Updates:

Let’s talk about one of the most significant aspects of the PCCN® exam update: the structural changes of the exam.

• The exam now has 150 questions, as opposed to the previous 125 questions. 25 questions will not count as they are used for statistical data for future exams
• The time to complete the exam is 3 hours
• The passing “cut score” is 82/125
• Questions are written at the application & analysis levels based on the Synergy model of care
• Registration is offered via two different pathways: Direct Care Pathway (for nurses with extensive hands-on experience) OR Knowledge Professional Pathway (for nurses who have other professional experience that is not direct patient care)

Regarding the Knowledge Professional Pathway (KPP), there have been updates focusing primarily on expanding the criteria for eligibility and broadening the range of expertise that a nurse’s competence is based on.

• Registered Nurses (RNs) who apply knowledge in a way that influences patients, nurses, and/or organizations and does not primarily or exclusively provide direct patient care are encouraged to apply for the exam if they have a current unencumbered licensure as an RN or APRN in the U.S.
• This includes clinical or patient educator academic faculty, manager/supervisor clinical directors, nursing administrator case managers, and transitional care coordinators
• Also, you still need to practice as an RN or APRN for 1,040 hours within the previous two years, with 260 of those hours accrued in the most recent year

Exam Topic Updates:

There are several changes in the content of the PCCN® exam, including the addition of new content and the removal of previous content. Let’s look at what you need to know to ace this exam!

One of the major changes is that the musculoskeletal/multisystem/psychosocial section of the exam is now more prominent. It has increased from 16% to 20% of the total exam. Topics under this section that will appear on the exam are:

• Hospital-acquired pneumonia
• Pandemic management
• Substance use disorder
• Compartment syndrome
• Assessing and managing patients with suicidal ideations

There has also been an increase in the amount of Endocrine/Hematology/ Neurology/GI/Renal content. It is now 27% as opposed to the original 20%. New topics include:

• Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS)
• Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone diabetic secretion (SIADH)
• Diabetes insipidus
• Thyroid disorders
• Autoimmune disorders (e.g., lupus, Guillain-Barre syndrome, ALS, multiple sclerosis)
• Managing patients requiring plasmapheresis
• Managing patients who refuse blood products
• Managing patients with oncological emergencies
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Space-occupying lesions (e.g., brain tumors, subdural hematomas, and abscesses)
• Managing patients with hypertonic solutions
• Managing and recognizing the implications of patients who have had bariatric surgery

Below is what you no longer need to worry about knowing for the exam:

• Minimally invasive cardiac surgery (i.e., non-sternal approach)
• Gastroesophageal reflux, irritable bowel syndrome
• Drug-seeking behavior
• Use complementary alternative medicine techniques and non-pharmacologic interventions

Now that you are aware of the updates, let’s talk about how you can prepare to tackle them!

Preparation Tools

All these updates may seem daunting when starting your studying journey, but with the right tools, you can feel fully prepared to get PCCN® certified successfully!

Nicole Kupchik’s Ace the PCCN® book bundle consists of both a study guide and a practice question review book. In the study guide, she breaks down key information in a way that is easy to understand. The guide is succinct, with bullets highlighting key information you should know for the exam. If you feel ready to test your knowledge, the practice question review book is for you. It includes three complete tests with 450 practice questions and provides answers and rationales for each question.

Great news! Both these books were recently updated to reflect all changes and are now aligned with the AACN’s 2024 test plan. You can also find more free downloadable resources to supplement your studying HERE including study plans, educational videos, and podcasts.

As the field of progressive care continues to evolve, so does the need for skilled nurses equipped with the latest knowledge and expertise. No matter how the exam changes, with the right preparation, nurses like you can confidently take on the PCCN® certification exam and further advance their careers in this vital area of healthcare.