CCRN Pediatric
AACN CCRN Pediatric Critical Care Nursing Certification
Certifies nurses in the critical care of pediatric patients.
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CCRN Pediatric Exam Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | AACN CCRN Pediatric Critical Care Nursing Certification |
| Governing Body | AACN |
| Number of Questions | 150 |
| Time Limit | 3 hours |
| Exam Fee | $260 AACN member / $375 nonmember |
| Category | Nursing & Nursing School |
| C3RT App Available On | iPhone, iPad, and Mac |
| Official Source | AACN official website ↗ |
CCRN Pediatric Content Areas and Domains
| Domain / Content Area | Exam Weight |
|---|---|
| Cardiovascular | 14% |
| Pulmonary | 15% |
| Neurological | 13% |
| Multisystem | 22% |
| Gastrointestinal | 8% |
| Renal | 5% |
| Endocrine and Metabolic | 7% |
| Professional Caring and Ethical Practice | 5% |
Domain weights are approximate and based on the AACN content outline. Always verify at the official source before your exam.
Topics Covered
- ✓ Clinical Judgment (80%)
- ✓ Clinical Judgment - Cardiovascular (11%)
- ✓ Clinical Judgment - Respiratory (13%)
- ✓ Clinical Judgment - Endocrine, Hematology/Immunology, Gastrointestinal, Renal/Genitourinary, Integumentary (25%)
- ✓ Clinical Judgment - Musculoskeletal, Neurological, Behavioral/Psychosocial (15%)
- ✓ Clinical Judgment - Multisystem (17%)
- ✓ Professional Caring & Ethical Practice (20%) - Advocacy/Moral Agency, Caring Practices, Clinical Inquiry, Collaboration, Facilitation of Learning, Response to Diversity, Systems Thinking
How C3RT Helps You Pass the CCRN Pediatric
Adaptive Practice
Questions adapt to your weak areas automatically so every study session on the CCRN Pediatric is time well spent.
Diagnostic Mocks
Full-length mock exams timed to the real CCRN Pediatric format with detailed score breakdowns by topic.
Mistake Bank
Every wrong answer is saved for targeted re-drill. The system resurfaces your mistakes until they stick.
Native on iOS & Mac
Built with SwiftUI, not a web wrapper. Instant load, offline support, hardware-speed rendering.
CCRN Pediatric Frequently Asked Questions
What does CCRN Pediatric stand for?
CCRN Pediatric stands for AACN CCRN Pediatric Critical Care Nursing Certification. It is administered by AACN.
Who administers the CCRN Pediatric?
The AACN CCRN Pediatric Critical Care Nursing Certification (CCRN Pediatric) is administered by AACN. For official information, visit the AACN website.
How many questions is the CCRN Pediatric?
The CCRN Pediatric consists of 150 questions. Candidates are given 3 hours to complete the exam.
How much does the CCRN Pediatric exam cost?
The CCRN Pediatric exam fee is $260 AACN member / $375 nonmember. This fee is set by AACN and may vary by testing centre, region, or membership status. Additional fees for registration or rescheduling may apply.
How many questions on the CCRN Pediatric are scored?
150 multiple-choice items total: 125 scored + 25 unscored statistical/pretest items (CCRN Exam Handbook - Direct Care, July 2026; same structure for all three CCRN populations). Unscored items are used to trial future questions and are indistinguishable from scored items, so treat every question as if it counts.
What should I know about the current CCRN Pediatric exam blueprint?
passingScore is null by design: AACN publishes no numeric cut score (modified Angoff; 'not a percentage but a raw number'). AACN notes 'The sum of these percentages may not equal 100 due to rounding.' Page URL is /certification/get-certified/ccrn-peds.
How hard is the AACN CCRN Pediatric exam?
The CCRN Pediatric is considered highly challenging, requiring deep knowledge of pediatric critical care physiology, pharmacology, respiratory failure, septic shock, neurological emergencies, and congenital conditions across infancy through adolescence. Pediatric pharmacology, weight-based dosing, age-specific normal ranges, is consistently cited as the most challenging component.
What are the CCRN Pediatric eligibility requirements?
Candidates must hold a current RN license and have practiced 1,750 hours of direct care of acutely/critically ill pediatric patients as an RN within the past 2 years, with 875 hours in the most recent year. PICU bedside direct care hours are required.
How long should I study for the CCRN Pediatric?
Most candidates study 8–12 weeks using AACN CCRN Pediatric practice exams, the AACN Core Curriculum for Pediatric Critical Care Nursing, and PALS course materials. Focus on pediatric respiratory failure (RSV bronchiolitis, asthma, ARDS), septic shock management, traumatic brain injury, and congenital heart disease management.
How does CCRN Pediatric compare to CCRN Neonatal?
CCRN Pediatric covers critically ill patients from infancy through adolescence, while CCRN Neonatal is limited to the neonatal period. Pediatric critical care nurses in PICUs caring for post-neonatal patients pursue CCRN Pediatric; NICU nurses pursue CCRN Neonatal. Some nurses with combined PICU/NICU experience may hold both.
What career value does CCRN Pediatric provide?
CCRN Pediatric is the benchmark credential for PICU nurses and is valued by children's hospitals, pediatric trauma centers, and Magnet programs. Certified nurses advance into PICU charge, transport, and clinical educator roles.
How long is CCRN Pediatric valid?
CCRN Pediatric is valid for 3 years. Renewal requires a current RN license, 100 CE hours (including clinical judgment content), ongoing pediatric critical care practice, or renewal by re-examination.
C3RT is a native iOS and macOS exam preparation platform covering the AACN CCRN Pediatric Critical Care Nursing Certification (CCRN Pediatric), a Nursing & Nursing School certification, administered by AACN. C3RT is not affiliated with or endorsed by AACN. Certification names and trademarks are the property of their respective organisations. For official exam registration, eligibility requirements, and content outlines, visit the AACN official website ↗ .