10 Best PCCN Exam Prep Books/ Study Guides Review

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Nurses are the most needed people right after the doctor. Every critically ill patient requires special care and love during treatment. Only the progressive care of a certified nurse can provide such skilled services. The American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN) conducts the PCCN certification exam to certify nurses for providing direct care to acutely ill adult patients.

It is one of the most competitive exams that certify nurses as progressive care nurses. It is a specialty certification for nurses to provide direct care to ill adult patients who are moderately stable but with a high risk of instability. Nurses with high care and vigilance skills are required for such patients with multi-system problems.

If you are looking forward to this exam then you must have an intricate plan to pass it graciously. However, we would suggest you buy the best PCCN review books and best exam prep books. In this article, we will discuss the 10 best PCCN study guides recommended for every passionate aspirant.

 

Best PCCN Exam Prep Books For Acing The Exam on First Attempt

Just like any other ACCN-based certification exam, PCCN also follows specific guidelines and eligibility rules for the candidates. The study plan is almost similar but with some changes in the test sections. You can read more about the PCCN exam in detail by visiting this official link.

Out of so many progressive care nursing study guides, we recommend you these 3 best picks depending on the aspirants’ requirements.

You can read about each one of the best picks in the upcoming section with complete details.

 

1. PCCN Exam Secrets Study Guide

PCCN Exam Secrets Study Guide includes the practice test questions relevant to the exam. The summaries of each test section are written lucidly. The reviews are provided in the clinical judgment section which includes topics such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurology, renal, multisystem, shock, behavioural, depression, substance abuse, and so on.

The professional caring and ethical practice section have details on confidentiality, problem-solving, collaboration, systems thinking, delivery of care, and much more. It is written down briefly in a comprehensive format.

The practice questions along with explained answers make it a complete preparation study guide.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • It has an in-depth review of relevant topics
  • Helps in building clinical judgment in nurses
  • An essential book for learning professional caring and ethical practices
  • Practice questions with detailed explanations of every answer

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

A worthy investment for passing the PCCN exam. One of our best picks for the PCCN exam prep book due to its detailed coverage and explanation of every test section. Technically accurate, use of simple, and non-technical words. The answers are explained in-depth for clearing the concepts. A standard guide for every aspirant.

Our Rating: 5 out of 5 

 

2. Ace the PCCN You Can Do It! Study Guide

Ace the PCCN You Can Do It! Study Guide is a complete review book that includes a description of the PCCN test exam. It describes the general guidelines. The review chapters are written down in brief.

Essential topics of the cardiovascular system, endocrinology, gastrointestinal system, hematology, immunology, multi-system organization, neurology, pulmonary, renal, and electrolytes, and synergy reviews are briefly written down. Only bullet points are used to include the necessary information on each disease of the human body.

You can buy this guide along with ACE the PCCN: You Can Do It! Practice Review Questions for complete preparation. It consists of around 400 practice test questions along with answers.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • It is an up-to-date study guide that reflects the latest examination plan.
  • Precise, short, to-the-point information
  • This includes the topics from every test section
  • Only bullet points are used for writing key information
  • Overview of every human disease
  • Boosts the confidence of the aspirant

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

This is a study guide that can be a great help for aspirants looking forward to building their foundations. The reviews on every section are written in simple language for easy understanding. Nurses can look up to this guide as a reference for theoretical concepts.

Our Rating: 4.8 out of 5 

 

3. ACE the PCCN: You Can Do It! Practice Review Questions

ACE the PCCN: You Can Do It! Practice Review Questions is a practice review questions compilation. This exam preparation book has three practice exam sets with 125 questions in each set.

The exam questions are only based on the PCCN exam test sections. The answers to each question are provided with detailed explanations and rationale. An additional bonus questions and answers section is given at the end of the guide.

This review practice question guide has an encouragement note for certified nurses. There are more than 375 practice questions with explanations. It is an up-to-date guide that provides the strategies to prepare.

We recommend you buy this guide together with the Ace the PCCN You Can Do It! Study Guide. It has detailed review topics for each test section. Both guides will enhance your knowledge and provide enough practice for the exam.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • 375 practice questions with their answers and explanations
  • Words of encouragement for aspirants
  • Enough practice for appearing in the exam
  • The simple and easy language used

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

This is a much-recommended guide for the PCCN certification exam. More than 300 practice questions with bonus exam questions will help in an excellent performance. The more you practice, the better your score in exams. If you already possess knowledge then you should go for this guide just for practice.

Our Rating: 4.8 out of 5 

 

4. AACN Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing

AACN Essentials of Progressive Care Nursing consists of essential information on progressive care nursing.  The advanced concepts in caring help to build skills in nurses. The pharmacology tables and cardiac rhythms are provided for quick reference. Overall, the guide is divided into four distinct categories.

The first category includes the essentials which have important information regarding progressive care nursing. The second category is about pathological conditions, recovery, and management strategies to be adopted.

The third section is about advanced concepts related to progressive care. The fourth section deals with the key reference information that has relevant information such as tabular data and diagnostic values.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • Each section is written down briefly and in simple language
  • Highly recommended guide to brush up on the basics of progressive care nursing
  • The key reference section is very helpful for quick reference
  • Helps in the preparation of the exam with questions and answers practice
  • Feasibility in self-assessment and progress analysis

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

This study guide is ideal for appearing in the AACN examination for PCCN certification. Essential information regarding safe and progressive care to patients, medical diagnosis, and more is provided. The methods and strategies for recovering from pathological conditions are included.

Our Rating: 4.9 out of 5 

 

5. PCCN Review Book: Quick Study Book

PCCN Review Book: Quick Study Book is the ideal solution for aspirants looking forward to the PCCN exam. The guide is divided into clear-cut sections. The explanation on relevant topics such as clinical judgment, cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, hematology, immunology, neurology, gastrointestinal, shock, one therapy, depression, substance abuse, behavioural, infectious diseases, multisystem, and much more are penned in a clear style.

The guide includes only specific and necessary information. It is organized in a logical fashion so that the reader can follow it well. Written in simple and understandable language. Practice questions are provided along with the answers for understanding the concepts clearly.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • Reviews on each topic from the test section written in a clear format
  • Practice questions and their detailed explanation answers
  • A comprehensive guide is written in simple language
  • Use of non-technical words for easy understanding
  • Divided into clear-cut sections for easy navigation
  • Thorough guidebook for learning basic and progressive nursing care skills

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

It is a significantly important study guide to fully prepare for the PCCN exam. The in-depth review of the test sections helps in building the concepts of the reader. Aspirants looking to appear for the first time in the exam can rely on this book for assured success.

Our Rating: 4.9 out of 5 

 

6. PCCN Review Book by TPB Publishing

PCCN Review Book by TPB Publishing is a compilation prepared by experts in test preparation books to achieve decent scores in the PCCN exam. This comprehensive exam preparation book includes a brief overview of the PCCN exam pattern.

The review sections on a significant topic of clinical judgment related to cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, hematology, gastrointestinal, renal, neurology, psychosocial, multisystem, musculoskeletal, and much more are written in simple language.

Practice test questions on clinical judgment and professional caring and ethical practice. The sections are provided with detailed answers and explanations.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • A quick overview of the guide is provided at the beginning
  • Test-taking tips and strategies to overcome exam fear
  • Study preparation and planning for the exam given
  • The simple and easy language used in review sections
  • Abundant practice questions and their explanation answers
  • The comprehensive review is written using non-technical words

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

A budget-friendly PCCN Exam preparation book for nurses. The topics are written in brief. The practice test questions and their detailed explanation helps in clearing the concepts. The test-taking tips and strategies boost the confidence and preparation ability of the aspirant.

Our Rating: 4.9 out of 5 

 

7. Pass PCCN

Pass PCCN is an up-to-date and latest examination book for PCCN certification. The review sections are written in and narrative format. The guide covers all the relevant topics needed for clearing the exam easily. The book is unique due to the format of content and material included. It has quizzes and puzzles to keep the reader intrigued.

A detailed review of human anatomical and physiological characteristics such as cardiovascular, neurology, renal, musculoskeletal, psychosocial, pulmonary, and so on. A quick reference section that includes laboratory values, formulas, and monitoring essentials is provided.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • Content follows the latest PCCN exam pattern
  • Comprehensive study guide with simple words
  • Unique method for learning via crossword puzzles, fill-in-the-blank questions, match the following
  • Case studies involving patients and associated skills of nurses to stimulate critical thinking
  • More than 900 review practice questions

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

An excellent compilation of important information for taking the PCCN test. It has guided several nurses in the past to get through the exam. The latest and up-to-date information according to the real exam helps in effective planning. The abundant practice questions are an added advantage.

Our Rating: 4.8 out of 5 

 

8.  Trivium PCCN Review Book

Trivium PCCN Review Book can guarantee success in the PCCN examination. The guide is typical and helps in preparation in minimum time. The review sections are penned down on topics such as cardiovascular disorders, pulmonary, neurology, multisystem, behavioural, endocrine, gastrointestinal, renal disorders, psychological, and so on.

Another relevant section of learning professional caring and ethical practices is there. Both sections are very well covered, keeping the examination in mind. Any aspirant looking forward to scoring high marks can go for this guide.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • A detailed description of the PCCN exam
  • Every test subject is written in a comprehensive format
  • Enough practice questions to improve performance
  • The tips and strategies For better exam planning are given
  • Use of simple and non-technical words to keep the text easy to read

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

A comprehensive study guide that clears the concepts of the aspirants. It imparts high-order thinking skills to the nurses with briefly written review sections. The tips and strategies help with the fastest, easiest and most effective methods of preparation.

Our Rating: 4.7 out of 5 

 

9. Progressive Care Nursing Certification: Preparation, Review, and Practice Exams

Progressive Care Nursing Certification: Preparation, Review, and Practice Exams is a complete and step-by-step study guide that lets you learn everything associated with the PCCN examination. The guide follows the blueprint of the exam and reflects the test plan to the readers. It is a relevant and up-to-date guide.

Overall there are 10 sections. Each section is a detailed review of topics of cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, immunology, hematology, neurology, gastrointestinal, renal, multi-organ problems, professionalism, ethics and synergy, behavioral, and so on. Each section is followed by a set of practice exam questions.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • Written in simple and understandable language
  • Contains up-to-date and latest information relevant to the exam
  • Essential test-taking tips and summaries of chapter
  • Each section is a brief overview of the human conditions
  • Practice questions are provided at the end of each section

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

This guide is briefly written in an illustrative format. It comes with a review section which is followed by the practice test section. Imparts professional and ethical skills to the nurses with a brilliantly written section on professionalism. Recommended for registered nurses for quick reference.

Our Rating: 4.9 out of 5 

 

10. PCCN Certification Review

PCCN Certification Review is a review study guide for the PCCN exam. The initial section of the guide talks about the exam pattern and methods for registering for the PCCN exam. The essential test-taking strategies at the beginning of the guide boost the self-confidence of the aspirants.

It is followed by detailed sections on cardiovascular, pulmonary, endocrine, hematology, immunology, neurology, gastrointestinal, renal, multisystem, behavioral, and much more. It is a compilation written down by the experts in this field and registered nurses themselves. The important topics included are cardiac surgery, pacemakers, infectious diseases, and palliative care sections.

Why You Should Buy This Book

  • A briefly written review book for PCCN aspirants
  • More than 1100 practice questions are provided
  • A brief explanation and comprehensive answers with rationales
  • Easy to understand and practice questions
  • This includes the updated and revised sections according to PCCN test strategies

How this book helps you to prepare for your exam?

Certainly, this study guide is ideal for nurses preparing to appear in the PCCN exam by AACN. The review sections are also written down gracefully for easy understanding of the reader. With more than a thousand questions to practice, nobody can stop you from clearing the examination on the first attempt itself.

Our Rating: 4.6 out of 5 

In this article, we have briefly discussed the most reliable and best PCCN books. The description of the 10 best PCCN study guides is provided along with our ratings. The best 3 picks are mentioned in the initial section.

These guides are essential for exam preparation and learning professional skills at work as a progressive care nurse. You can go to buy any book that suits your capabilities and skill sets. For nurses with an ample amount of preparation time, we recommend Progressive Care Nursing Certification: Preparation, Review, and Practice Exams book for assured success.

We also recommend you read our articles on the best CCRN exam prep books for neonatal and adult certification. You may also like to read about the best CMC and CSC exam prep books conducted by AACN.

We hope that this article helps you in getting through the choice of picking the right book. With the help of this certificate by AACN, you can take care of adult patients with critical illness and also the people in your close relations and friends.