CPNE Pass @ Chambersburg !!!

Nursing Students Excelsior

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Specializes in ONCOLOGY/ HEMATOLOGY.

I just passed my Excelsior CPNE @ Chambersburg, PA this past weekend! It was the most stressful weekend of my life, but so worth it! I have read so many posts and blogs where students shared their CPNE experiences and have derived so much strength from them....it's my turn now!

I am sure you have read this before, but I will repeat it, KNOW YOUR CRITICAL ELEMENTS!!! That is half the battle right there...the rest is CONTROLLING YOUR NERVES!!!

I started reading my study guide about 3 months before my test date and seemed to be a lot of information to digest. I could not prioritize! Things started making sense when I bought Rob's CPNE materials about 6 weeks before my exam. I watched both videos once and briefly went over his mnemonics.

I then took Sheri Taylor's online workshop for one month and watched a LOT of her videos! Personally, I felt that Sheri tells you what NOT to do and Rob tells you what you need to do. The combination worked for me, but it is a personal choice that you have to make. Sheri and Greg's lab simulations were excellent and exactly what you will find at the actual test. Rob's 'walking up the arm' technique for the 20-min-checks is a no-brainer, especially under stress! I used a combination of mnemonics (mostly Rob's) and made up some of my own. I then read the Study Guide and it made SO MUCH sense!! I wrote down the list of critical elements for all lab stations, assessments and managements and made sure my mnemonics included all the elements. Sheri's careplan videos are like an online tutorial and teach critical thinking. I submitted 9 careplans and she reviewed them with feedback. Documentation in the evaluation phase can be made-up from your mnemonics and is not difficult.

I did NOT attend any of the CPNE workshops. I work with IVs and give a lot of injections at my current job. Wound care station was my weakness. I made a wound with play doh and practiced at home (you can buy all the necessary supplies at any drugstore). I prefer the parachute method for packing. Excelsior does not recommend the rope method.

Three days before my exam, I had my 30-minute phone consultation with Excelsior. We discussed the 3 PCSs that were available and got a LOT of pertinent information. I would HIGHLY recommend this to all students!! Also, anytime you have a question, just get in touch with the faculty and they will help you right away!

The CPNE is a monster exam...it will push you to the limits and you will just have to push back! The CA was a sweetheart, but strictly followed the critical elements. The CEs were all very experienced, with different personalities, but they do want you to pass.

Lab Stations: The wound is shallow and the shape is very irregular, the sterile gloves stick...I went through 6 pairs coz I thought I contaminated the sterile field! The IV push station has single use vials to draw up the flushes and make sure to take two of them. Iv medication was pretty straightforward. IM/SQ station...bubbles...tough mannequin skin, my needle bent and I had to draw up my meds all over again! Passed all four on Friday!

PCS: *****ID your patients****Wash your hands/gel***Have a plan, I did my 20-min-checks first, then assessments, and then Managements. Keep the careplan simple. Revise if necessary, not a big deal! Make notes for yourself as you go.

I was ecstatic for about 30 minutes after the CE told me I passed, and now, life is back to normal! I feel strange not picking up my study materials anymore!

I have tremendous respect for all the students who took the CPNE and passed and even more respect for those who are giving it another shot!

Hope this helps and good luck!

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Specializes in Med-Surg, OR, ICU.

So exciting! Congratulations!! I hope to go to Chambersburg as well. How's the location? Did you have a pediatric?

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Specializes in ONCOLOGY/ HEMATOLOGY.

The location is great! We stayed at the Four Seasons (Sheraton) and it was 0.3 miles from the hospital- very convenient. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops as well. There is ample parking and the PCS wing is brand new with all hi-tech stuff. There were six of us and none of us had a pediatric. The CA did say that they don't get too many kids.

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Congrats!

I only used Robs stuff and the study guide for my studying (I did watch a few of Shrei's videos on youtube just for reinforcement).

I found Rob really broke it down to the basics for me and helped me to know exactly what was expected of me to pass. I did fail my first IV med push lab (I put my needleless syringe in the trash instead of the sharps bin. Where I work (and common sense to me) if the syringe does not have a needle, it goes in the trash, not sharps).

I just realized it was almost exactly a year ago I passed (May 31-June 2 2013 was my test). I still vividly remember sitting in the room waiting to hear if I passed, and walking out to my car soooo happy. I called my wife and she screamed in my ear when I told her.

Take a few days off and then start studying for the NCLEX. I actually found it not too bad since I was so used to taking the exams on the computer anyway (took my NCLEX at the same Pearson View that I had taken several exams at).

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Specializes in Med-Surg, OR, ICU.
The location is great! We stayed at the Four Seasons (Sheraton) and it was 0.3 miles from the hospital- very convenient. There are plenty of restaurants and coffee shops as well. There is ample parking and the PCS wing is brand new with all hi-tech stuff. There were six of us and none of us had a pediatric. The CA did say that they don't get too many kids.

That's awesome! Thank you for sharing!! Best of luck with NCLEX!

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Way to go!!!

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Great job HemOnc!!!!! Thanks for all the useful info:up:

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Congratulations on your success!!!

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congratulations!! and thanks for sharing your experience!! gives me great hope!! sending positive vibes for your NCLEX!!

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Specializes in PeriOperative Nursing.

You Go!!!!:laugh:

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Congratulation!!! i appreciate you for taking time to write your experience because it definitely motivates me and all other EC students that has a fear towards this unknown factor known as CPNE!! i heard lots off horrible stories and good experiences like yours. well i am glad you did great!!!

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Specializes in home health, LTC, assisted living.

good for you and a pat on the back, well done! and thanks for the tips!:)

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