Hello everyone.

This week I have been working on the review matrix and the reviews of the 3 sets of CCNA review material I was sent.

The 3 Products will be reviewed in this Order:

CRNA Secrets
Morrison Media Inc.

Prodigy Anesthesia Certification Exam Simulator
Prodigy Anesthesia and Education Services

Core Concepts Anesthesia Review
Core Concepts Anesthesia

These products are somewhat different in their presentation and all have their strengths and weaknesses. Also each is setup in a very different way in that they don't all have the same goals or use the same methods. This makes them difficult to compare directly but relatively easy to review on an individual basis.

This review will follow a preset matrix developed specifically for this project. Each product will be individually summarized based on what was sent for review but also the extras available will be mentioned. The product will be listed as Met/Not Met top 5 expectations/wants identified by 100 GRNAs who were polled for what they wanted from a review product. Below is the overview of the matrix by which each product was/is reviewed:
  1. Cost
  2. Material Included
  3. Website for product
  4. Assistance & Customer reviews
  5. In classroom availability (where applicable)
  6. Full review tests available and how many
  7. Portability of product (can be put on PDA)
  8. Software for home PC/MAC?
  9. No Pass Guarantee ? (money back, further assistance etc)
  10. Taught/Created/Owned by CRNAs or MDAs or independent company
  11. Visual cues / diagrams
  12. Pass rate of students who have used it?
  13. Updates included from time of purchase and for how long?
  14. Readability and organization
  15. Updated to new CCNA exam which came into use on August 24, 2006
  16. Extra options to buy
  17. CEUs available
  18. Covers content from CCNA handbook Found HERE
  19. Includes memory aids throughout
  20. Includes "important point" keys to summarize material
Lastly, a general comparison of the 3 products will be done.


What is the 2007 CCNA Handbook content?

This is an actual breakdown of topics covered and percentage per topics on the CCNA exam. It also includes some sample questions. The new exam changes as of 2006 are discussed and the current layout for the exam is as follows:

29% Anatomy, Physiology, and Pathophysiology
25% Pharmacology
19% Advanced Principles of Anesthesia Practice
14% Basic Principles of Anesthesia Practice
13% Professional and Legal Aspects of Nurse Anesthesia

Top 5 GRNA Expectations/Wants:

  1. Comprehensive Review of Subject matter
  2. Bang for Buck
  3. Full length Practice Tests
  4. Pass Rate %
  5. Portability