On the CCRN and PCCN test plans, 80% of the questions are based on clinical knowledge, and 20% of the questions come from a category called Professional Caring and Ethical Practice.1 Why is clinical knowledge not enough to pass a certification examination? Clinical knowledge is one aspect of excellent nursing practice, but it is not the only thing necessary. A great nurse not only has expertise but also uses caring communication to translate clinical information into clinical meaning for patients and their families. For example, a family member with limited medical knowledge may see a blood pressure value on the monitor and think that because the number looks better, the patient is doing better. However, a nurse with good communication skills can compassionately explain that the blood pressure number has only normalized because the patient is now receiving multiple vasoactive agents and in reality the patient’s condition has...
Professional Caring
KNIPPA
Sara Knippa, MS, RN, ACCNS-AG, CCRN, PCCN, is the column’s content expert. Sara is a clinical nurse specialist for critical care, metro Denver region, at UCHealth, Aurora, Colorado. She welcomes feedback from readers and questions from potential contributors at [email protected]. Sara wrote the introduction.
THOMPSON-ROLLER
Anthony Roller, DNP, APRN, CPNP-AC/PC, is a clinical assistant professor and pediatric primary care track coordinator at the University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, Florida. Anthony wrote pediatric CCRN review questions 1 through 3.
BRAZILL
Kelly A. Thompson-Brazill, DNP, ACNP-BC, CCRN-CSC, is an associate professor and Director of the Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner program at Georgetown University, Washington, DC. Kelly wrote the adult CCRN review questions.
MULLEN
Jodi Mullen, MS, RN-BC, CCRN-K, CCNS, ACCNS-P, CPHQ, is a senior quality improvement specialist in the Department of Quality and Patient Safety at University of Florida Health Shands Hospital, Gainesville, Florida. Jodi wrote pediatric CCRN review questions 4 and 5.
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