Why ICU nurses struggle with the CCRN — and how to actually think at the bedside

You don’t struggle with the CCRN because you’re not studying enough. You struggle because no one teaches you how to think at the bedside. You’re memorizing lab values, definitions, and concepts— but when something feels off in your patient… you hesitate. you second guess yourself. you’re not sure what you’re missing. That’s the gap this course fixes. Every lecture is built around real ICU scenarios— what it looks like, what’s actually happening, and what you do next. So when you walk into a room— you don’t just know the answer for a test. You know what to do for your patient

Built for How You Actually Learn

90+ ICU-based lessons → broken down so you’re not overwhelmed 1,200+ practice questions → designed to make you think like the CCRN — not memorize

Structured So You Don't Feel Overwhelmed

Full-length practice exam → so you know exactly where you stand Organized by body system → so you can study efficiently without jumping around

Designed for the Bedside- Not Just the Exam 

Real bedside scenarios in every lecture → so the content actually sticks Taught by a practicing ICU nurse practitioner → not someone removed from the bedside

Why this Course is Different

Most CCRN courses teach you what to memorize. This one teaches you how to think. You won’t just learn: • lab values • definitions • isolated concepts You’ll learn how to: • recognize what’s happening at the bedside • connect physiology to real patient scenarios • make decisions when something feels off Because passing the CCRN isn’t about memorizing more. It’s about thinking differently.

Course Curriculum

15 Chapters · 91 Lessons

  1. 1

    Neurology

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Acute Ischemic Stroke: Recognition & Initial Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Epidural Hematoma: Recognition & Emergency Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Assessment & Respiratory Monitoring

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Intracerebral Hemorrhage: Recognition & Blood Pressure Management

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Myasthenia Gravis: Assessment & Crisis Management

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      06. Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Recognition & Early Management

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      07. Subdural Hematoma: Recognition & Monitoring

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      08. Seizures: Recognition & Acute Management

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      09. Brain Death: Assessment & Clinical Criteria

  2. 2

    Cardiology

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Acute Myocardial Infarction: Early Recognition & Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Aortic Dissection: Identifying & Differentiating Chest Pain

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Acute Heart Failure: Assessment & Initial Management

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Post-op CABG: Monitoring & Complication Recognition

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Hemodynamics: Interpretation & Clinical Application

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      06. Ventricular Tachycardia & Fibrillation: Recognition & Treatment

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      07. Atrial Fibrillation & Flutter: Rate vs Rhythm Management

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      08. Conduction Disorders: Identification & Management

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      09. Hypertensive Crisis: Safe Blood Pressure Reduction

  3. 3

    Respiratory

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Asthma Exacerbation: Recognition & Acute Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. ARDS: Recognition & Ventilator Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Chest Tube Management: Assessment & Troubleshooting

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. COPD Exacerbation: Oxygen & Ventilation Management

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Mechanical Ventilation: Modes & Clinical Application

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      06. Pneumonia: Recognition & Treatment

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      07. Pneumothorax: Recognition & Emergency Management

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      08. Pulmonary Embolism: Recognition & Initial Management

  4. 4

    Gastroenterology

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Acute Liver Failure: Recognition & Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Cirrhosis: Assessment & Complication Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Acute Pancreatitis: Recognition & Supportive Care

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Bowel Obstruction: Recognition & Initial Management

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Upper GI Bleed: Recognition & Stabilization

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      06. Lower GI Bleed: Recognition & Management

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      07. Mesenteric Ischemia: Recognition & Emergency Management

  5. 5

    Genitourinary

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      ‍01. Acute Kidney Injury: Recognition & Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Chronic Kidney Disease: Monitoring & Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Hyperkalemia: Recognition & Emergency Treatment

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Hypokalemia: Recognition & Replacement

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Hypermagnesemia: Recognition & Management

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      06. Hypomagnesemia: Recognition & Replacement

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      07. Hypercalcemia: Recognition & Management

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      08. Hypocalcemia: Recognition & Treatment

    9. (Included in full purchase)

      09. Hyperphosphatemia: Recognition & Management

    10. (Included in full purchase)

      10. Hypophosphatemia: Recognition & Replacement

    11. (Included in full purchase)

      11. Hypernatremia: Recognition & Safe Correction

    12. (Included in full purchase)

      12. Hyponatremia: Recognition & Safe Correction

    13. (Included in full purchase)

      13. Electrolyte Imbalances: Interpretation & Clinical Patterns

  6. 6

    Integumentary

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Pressure Ulcers: Prevention & Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Burns: Initial Assessment & Fluid Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. IV Extravasation: Recognition & Management

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Postoperative Wound Infection: Recognition & Treatment

  7. 7

    Hematology

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      0101. Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC): Recognition & Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Immune Thrombocytopenia: Recognition & Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): Recognition & Emergency Treatment

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia (HIT): Recognition & Management

  8. 8

    Endocrinology

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Diabetic Ketoacidosis (DKA): Recognition & Management

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Hyperglycemic Hyperosmolar Syndrome (HHS): Recognition & Management

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Diabetes Insipidus: Recognition & Management

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. SIADH: Recognition & Management

  9. 9

    Musculoskeletal

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Compartment Syndrome

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Long Bone Fracture

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Osteomyelitis

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Pelvic Fractures

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Rhabdomyolysis

  10. 10

    Infectious Disease

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Catheter Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI)

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Cellulitis

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection (CLABSI)

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Clostridium difficile (C. diff)

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      06. Influenza

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      07. Necrotizing Fasciitis

    8. (Included in full purchase)

      08. Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)

  11. 11

    Shock States

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Anaphylactic ShockRecognition & Hemodynamic Support

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Cardiogenic Shock: Recognition & Hemodynamic Support

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Neurogenic ShockRecognition & Hemodynamic Support

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Obstructive ShockRecognition & Hemodynamic Support

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Septic ShockRecognition & Hemodynamic Support

  12. 12

    Multi-System

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Acid–Base Imbalance: Interpretation & Clinical Application

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Multisystem Trauma: Initial Assessment & Priorities

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. Rhabdomyolysis: Recognition & Management

  13. 13

    Nursing advocacy, diversity, ethical practices, and end-of-life care

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Nursing Advocacy and Response to diversity

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Nursing Ethics and Practices

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. End-of-Life Care

  14. 14

    Behavioral and Psychosocial

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      01. Anxiety and Depression in the ICU

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      02. Alcohol Withdrawal

    3. (Included in full purchase)

      03. ICU Delirium

    4. (Included in full purchase)

      04. Post-Intensive Care Syndrome (PICS)

    5. (Included in full purchase)

      05. Substance Use Disorders in the ICU

    6. (Included in full purchase)

      06. Abuse and Neglect

    7. (Included in full purchase)

      07. Suicide Prevention

  15. 15

    Post-Course Evaluation

    1. (Included in full purchase)

      CCRN Post-Course Evaluation

    2. (Included in full purchase)

      Post-Course Evaluation

Letters of Recommendation 

What professionals are saying about the GRIT CCRN Exam Prep Course...

Kudos to Grit Nursing!  During my thirty-year span in nursing, I've never encountered such a comprehensive and well-designed course. Danielle's breadth of knowledge coupled with her ability to unpack and convey complex information that is easy to understand and moreover, actually retain, make Grit Nursing the must have tool for everyone in the ICU setting.   From newly minted graduates to seasoned veterans, this is an excellent opportunity to absorb new information or reinforce your knowledge base. Whether you are pursuing the CCRN credential, looking for in-depth continuing education or simply want to expand your knowledge of critical care, Grit Nursing has got you covered at every turn. This is the way.
Jason Lockwood,

MNSc, ACNP

Practical, short videos very straight to the point-no fluff, with recap notes/downloadable files, case studies, and TONS of questions to practice with clear and easy to understand explanations!!! This isn't your typical CCRN review, it integrates real-life scenarios, it is clear, and incredibly relevant to everyday ICU practice. Each lesson was paired with recap notes, downloadable resources, and real-life case studies that make complex concepts easy to understand and enjoyable to learn!!  I was surprised when I came across Danielle during a school lecture on hypothermia, and her explanation of targeted temperature management (TTM) was, by far, the most straightforward and memorable I’ve ever heard. Whether you’re preparing to ace the CCRN exam or looking for a practical, comprehensive ICU refresher, I HIGHLY recommend GRIT Nursing. It breaks down every system with clarity and real-world application, which is what we need as ICU nurses!! Honestly, this course should be part of every ICU nurse’s training-it’s that good. 100% recommend!!!
Michelle Moreno-Lee

MN, RN, CCRN

As a nursing faculty member, I’m always on the lookout for high-quality resources to recommend to students and this CCRN review product stands out. It offers a comprehensive and well-organized approach to exam prep, including high-yield videos, clear study guides, and thoughtfully designed practice questions that cover all content areas tested on the CCRN. For anyone preparing for this exam, I highly recommend it. It’s a worthwhile investment in your success.
Shermel Parish

PhD, RN, CHSE, CNE, MEDSURG-BC

Danielle Hardin’s CCRN Review is an exceptional resource for mastering critical care nursing. It combines clear explanations of pathophysiology with practical treatment insights, making complex concepts accessible and memorable. Key Features Comprehensive Coverage - Covers all major critical care topics—from cardiovascular and pulmonary emergencies to neurocritical care and multisystem failure. Targeted Teaching Tactics - Uses vivid patient scenarios and real-world examples to illustrate clinical decision-making in high-pressure situations. Structured Outlines - Presents information in concise, easy-to-recall formats, empowering learners to quickly retrieve essential facts at exam time or in practice. Practice Questions and Tests - Includes chapter-level quizzes and full-length practice exams that mirror the CCRN format, helping you identify knowledge gaps and build confidence. Why This Review Stands Out Patient-Centered Examples - Brings pathophysiology to life by showing how theory applies at the bedside. Focus on Retention - Memorable mnemonics and outline boxes reinforce the most testable points. Exam Readiness - Authentic practice items ensure you’re familiar with question style, pacing, and difficulty before test day. Whether you’re preparing for the CCRN exam or simply deepening your critical care expertise, Danielle Hardin’s CCRN Review is a must-have. Its blend of thorough content, engaging teaching methods, and robust practice materials sets you up for success in both the classroom and the ICU.
Betty Gonzales

DNP, APRN, ACNP-BC, NEA-BC, CCRN

Ready to Ace the CCRN Exam?

Kickstart your CCRN training with real life patient scenarios! Danielle provides the most current instruction and practical examples to deepen your knowledge of critical care. Ready to elevate your confidence and embark on your journey to certification in critical care nursing? Join our course today and take that crucial first step. Enroll now!

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