Need Excelsior CPNE Advice Please!!!

To anyone who is waiting in the wings to take cpne-it is as bad as it is rumored to be ----however it is not about how good of a nurse you are or really how many facts you can pull out of the air .Trust and believe it is about not cracking under imposed pressure/fear.I am now an RN thank the gods and am grateful to have survived the hoops-I am a single mother of a fantastic adopted son have worked 2 jobs forever have now four college degrees and until the cpne thought I was a fairly functional smart gal-Well I flat out failed my first attempt at cpne -cry like a baby indeed -and I don't cry my nickname at work is "the rock" I got wise to what the cpne was all about at least during that 3000 dollar "experience" and returned to racine wis. as soon as I could -this time with enough xanax for each and every day.I am not a bit sorry that yes I self medicated to survive this I was in no way more prepared the second time around re grids,care plans,etc- but I could not be mentally nor emotionally tipped over as easily.I was the one of seven that passed on my weekend and not because I was a better nurse,I know from the short time I spent with my peers they were all truely gifted.My point is to those about to dive in really look at the "experience" for what it actually may be

Hey all you super nurses and super nursing students out there! I am awaiting the CPNE exam the last weekend in Jan and I heard of a "grid" out there that is taught at the CPNE workshop. My friend said it was great but she can't find it. Does anyone have this and want to share it with me? Also, I am taking the test in Amarillo, Tx. I would appreciate any advice, study hints, really anything you have to offer concerning passing this test. Thanks so much for your time. JAndrew