Skip to content
Nursing Pocket Prep

AACN PCCN®
Exam Prep

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses: Progressive Care Certified Nurse
Create Account (it's free to try)
Woman chiseling stone into a statue to look like a nurse holding a stethoscope. Illustration.
650 Study Questions
5600 5 Star Reviews
4.8 Avg App Store Rating Avg Rating
Prep with the pros
This is what kicking down that door to your success and chopping it into tiny pieces feels like. At Pocket Prep, we’ve got your back as all of our practice questions are written by industry pros and are based on the latest exam outlines available. Plus, each question comes with a detailed explanation.
View all 12 AACN PCCN® Subjects
Cardiovascular
89%
8 of 9 Correct
Respiratory
75%
12 of 16 Correct
Endocrine
56%
5 of 9 Correct
Hematology/Immunology/Oncology
55%
6 of 11 Correct
Neurology
38%
3 of 8 Correct
Gastrointestinal
30%
3 of 10 Correct
Our apps identify your trouble areas and give you the tools to turn them around.
Built for the busy
Study wherever, whenever with these quiz types:
Question of the Day
The quickest way to do a little studying everyday.
Quick 10 Quiz
10 questions randomly selected from the question bank.
Missed Questions Quiz
Retake questions you’ve missed and improve your overall score.
Level Up Quiz
Gamify your learning with progressively harder quizzes.
Weakest Subject Quiz
Focus on questions from your lowest subject score.
Timed Quiz
Have 5 or 10 minutes to invest in some study time?
Build Your Own
Select how many questions and what subjects to focus on.
Bar graph of user's quiz scores.
See Your Progress
Detailed results show where you're doing well and where you should focus.
Gauge graph shows user their average study score.
Gauge Where You Are
Your overall study score and how you compare to others.
Two week calendar marks what days the user studied. Steaks are marked with line connecting back to back study days.
Keep Up the Streak
A little each day helps you stay on track for your exam.
Elevate your progressive care nursing career with effective prep for the PCCN certification.
The AACN PCCN® exam is for nurses who provide direct care to acutely ill adult patients in progressive care settings. The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) offers this certification to recognize your expertise in progressive care nursing, which is essential for roles in step-down units, telemetry units, and other intermediate care areas.

Eligibility requires an active RN or APRN license and specific clinical practice hours: 1) A minimum of 1,750 hours of direct care for acutely ill adult patients within the last two years, with 875 hours in the most recent year, or 2) At least five years of experience, with a minimum of 2,000 hours, including 144 hours accrued in the most recent year.

The majority of the exam (80%) focuses on clinical judgment across a variety of systems, including cardiovascular, respiratory, endocrine, hematology, immunology, oncology, neurology, gastrointestinal, renal, musculoskeletal, multisystem, and behavioral/psychosocial areas. For example, cardiovascular topics cover acute coronary syndromes, dysrhythmias, heart failure, and structural heart procedures, while respiratory topics address conditions such as ARDS, COPD exacerbation, and respiratory failure. Endocrine content includes managing diabetes and thyroid disorders, while neurology involves conditions like stroke, traumatic brain injury, and seizure disorders. The exam also covers renal topics, such as acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, as well as multisystem issues, including sepsis, shock states, and wound management. Additionally, 20% of the exam is dedicated to professional caring and ethical practice, encompassing advocacy, collaboration, systems thinking, and clinical inquiry, ensuring that nurses are prepared to provide holistic and ethical care in complex clinical settings.

The exam consists of 125 questions, with 100 scored and 25 used for statistical purposes. The test duration is 2.5 hours. A passing score requires at least 68 correct answers out of the 100 scored questions. The PCCN credential is valid for three years; renewal can be achieved through continuing education or re-examination.
Exam Info & Registration PCCN Direct Care Exam Handbook - July 2024 PCCN Test Plan
In 2023, 3,477 candidates took the PCCN exam and the reported pass rate was 70%.
Nursing Pocket Prep mascot wearing a face mask and holding a patient file. Illustration.
A nurse measures medication from a vial with a syringe.
Two nurses in a hospital room with a patient. One nurse holds a stethoscope to the patient’s chest.
Nursing
AACN PCCN® is part of our Nursing Pocket Prep that contains prep content for 28 other Nursing exams.
View Hide other 28 Nursing exams
Show up confident
on test day
Premium pricing options
  • 1 Month
    $20.99 billed monthly
    $20.99/mo
  • 3 Months
    $49.99 billed every 3 months
    $16.99/mo
  • 12 Months
    $124.99 billed annually
    $10.99/mo
Or try 30 Questions Free.
Pocket Prep, Inc. is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by any of the organizations listed. All organizational and test names are trademarks of their respective owners.
650 Questions
Multiple Quiz Modes
Pass Guarantee
Pocket Prep, Inc. is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by any of the organizations listed. All organizational and test names are trademarks of their respective owners.