Getting Ready for CPNE Checklist?

Nursing Students Excelsior

Published

Specializes in Cardiac.

I thought I would start a post for those of us getting close to the CPNE, like a place for ideas on what we need to gather, study materials and such. If the vetrans would chime in and let us know what worked for them that would be great. I'm just trying to get a head start so that when I pass my final 3 exams I can focus on the CPNE hardcore for 2 months and tackle that beast.

I've had the 18th edition of the Study Guide printed at Officemax a few moments ago for $44.

I've ordered the skills kit from EC with the simulation would and injection pad.

I've set up a few table stations in my spare room for my mock lab, I still need to throw together a dummy.

I've downloaded the CPNE application and looked it over to see what I need to get done in the next several weeks as far as immunizations and such.

I need to renew my CPR also.

I'm thinking of ordered the CPNE flashcards from EC.

I'm also going to sign up for Sheri Taylors Online CPNE prep once I finish all of my exams.

Still unsure about Robs's DVDs, I think I would do better with Sheri as my tool.

I need to order some white scrubs because all of mine are Green.

I need to order Mosbys Nursing Diagnosis and the Fundamentals text also.

I plan on testing in NPAC so I have been researching the sites here and trying to locate suitable hotel locations and plan out my flight options.

Ok everyone, chime in and let me know what I am missing or what worked for you :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

it sounds as if we are in the same place. i have bound my study guide and am about 1/2 way through. I have all of the iv and wound stuff (borrowed everything from my work--god love them). I have everything ready for the application and will submit it this week. My first plan of attack is finishing reading, tabbing the study guide that way i am more familiar with what is expected then i will go from there. my email is [email protected] Feel free to email and we can muddle through this together. It is definately overwhelming (and exciting)! I havenet decided between robs and sheri's yet, the jury is still out. Good luck going through the study guide!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Great Idea nervous1. I am one test behind you.. Ive already learned a few things I need for the CPNE that I didnt know about just by your first post... Thanks

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
it sounds as if we are in the same place. i have bound my study guide and am about 1/2 way through. I have all of the iv and wound stuff (borrowed everything from my work--god love them). I have everything ready for the application and will submit it this week. My first plan of attack is finishing reading, tabbing the study guide that way i am more familiar with what is expected then i will go from there. my email is [email protected] Feel free to email and we can muddle through this together. It is definately overwhelming (and exciting)! I havenet decided between robs and sheri's yet, the jury is still out. Good luck going through the study guide!

I have borrowed a few things from work also but I wanted the skills kit so that I have the exact items that are used during the labs. I was afraid of the shock of having different 4x4's of all things. I only plan on taking this thing one time, it may cost me more now but it will be less in the long run.

I added a few things to the list like the textbooks I need to take with me or need close by anyway.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I do agree with that. to me its all about the fear of the unknown. I also am only going to do this once, there is way too much riding on this. I just have to keep thinking (r/t the cost of things) that is will pay itself off very quickly with an RN salary. I am defiantely going to take advantage of the excelsior staff, and will submit a careplan for review on a regular basis. That is one of my biggest concerns are the careplans. I am fairly confident in my nursing skills to succeede but the making a careplan on a whim kind of scares me to death.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele/Neuro/Trauma.
I thought I would start a post for those of us getting close to the CPNE, like a place for ideas on what we need to gather, study materials and such. If the vetrans would chime in and let us know what worked for them that would be great. I'm just trying to get a head start so that when I pass my final 3 exams I can focus on the CPNE hardcore for 2 months and tackle that beast.

I've had the 18th edition of the Study Guide printed at Officemax a few moments ago for $44.

I've ordered the skills kit from EC with the simulation would and injection pad.

I've set up a few table stations in my spare room for my mock lab, I still need to throw together a dummy.

I've downloaded the CPNE application and looked it over to see what I need to get done in the next several weeks as far as immunizations and such.

I need to renew my CPR also.

I'm thinking of ordered the CPNE flashcards from EC.

I'm also going to sign up for Sheri Taylors Online CPNE prep once I finish all of my exams.

Still unsure about Robs's DVDs, I think I would do better with Sheri as my tool.

I need to order some white scrubs because all of mine are Green.

I need to order Mosbys Nursing Diagnosis and the Fundamentals text also.

I plan on testing in NPAC so I have been researching the sites here and trying to locate suitable hotel locations and plan out my flight options.

Ok everyone, chime in and let me know what I am missing or what worked for you :)

Sounds like you are on the right track :-)

I had the EC flashcards and they were great. I also used Rob's and Sheri's and loved them both too. Used Rob's mneumonics that I messed with a little, he really simplified things for me, and Sheri's the best with careplans and is always there for you, she knows the CPNE inside and out!

I didn't have a dummy, I had a blow up doll (with no boy parts) that I got on Ebay for like 12 bucks, it worked great, but really doesn't beat practicing on a real person. I practiced with a buddy atleast once if not twice a week, it was goofy but it worked, we would go through the whole thing start to finish and stop each other if we screwed up. Sometimes we even practiced with our kids and did their vital signs or listened to their lungs and belly, during my CPNE my peds patient ended up being 6. Where I tested for the kiddos you do not have access to a Dynamap so all the BP's were manual and this was soo helpful. Also I took a pair of my leggings and stuffed them with oranges and towels to use just to kind of have a "butt" to practice on, but I ended up getting insulin in the lab sims.

For NPAC, the sites with nearby airports are Syracuse, Albany and Queens. Chambersburg, York and Utica you will be needing to drive a ways. A friend of mine tested in Chambersburg and said the nearest airport was 40 miles, but that it was a great site.

I bought a good up to date drug book also, but I didn't end up needing it, the meds I gave were just Aspirin and Zantac. I just didn't wanna have to take a chance that there wouldn't be a book available on the floor if I needed to use one.

Good luck, lmk if you need anything!!! Proud of all you guys! :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Hi!! I just passed LS3 last week and now I am submitting paperwork for FCCA and CPNE. Very nervous but excited also!!! I can't believe it's almost here!! So much is riding on this!! I really only want to take this test once!! I think I am going to do Sheri's online workshop. I thought about attending her workshop since I live near Atlanta but the funds are getting low and Christmas is right around the corner!!! Let's keep in touch with this one!! We're going to need all of the support we can get!!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Cardiac.
Hi!! I just passed LS3 last week and now I am submitting paperwork for FCCA and CPNE. Very nervous but excited also!!! I can't believe it's almost here!! So much is riding on this!! I really only want to take this test once!! I think I am going to do Sheri's online workshop. I thought about attending her workshop since I live near Atlanta but the funds are getting low and Christmas is right around the corner!!! Let's keep in touch with this one!! We're going to need all of the support we can get!!!!

I've been reading your posts for months since I enrolled in July - so happy that you are in the homestretch! Seems like the Sheri's online version is just as good as in person based on reviews - much cheaper too, plus being able to review it over and over is great. I even thought about getting her CPNE flashcards since the cost is the same as EC but have not decided yet. I need to research the reviews on her flashcards.

Let us know when you get a date!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med surg and Psych.

:yeah: i have to applaud such an awesome group of people.:yeah:

i have been around for awhile. i completed my nursing concepts in feb. 2009. completed all of my general ( i thought) in 2010. i am waiting to receive my art apprec. material from penn foster, and then i will have my general ed. requirements done. i did not have to do the fcca, because i have been enrolled for so long. many obstacles have been placed in front of me, but i honestly think that the fear of the cpne is the main reason i have not taken that road yet. i feel more prepared this time to start than i ever have. i have my lab supplies, a dummy started, a wound, an iv arm, i have the 18th editon cpne study guide. nerves are what i have to work on the most! best of luck to all of you, and i know we can all encourage one another and get this beast slayed. many veterans do stay and help on this site, and i am forever thankful of that.;) thinking i have found some new cpne buds! traci

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I plan on testing in NPAC so I have been researching the sites here and trying to locate suitable hotel locations and plan out my flight options

EC will tell you which hotel they recommend for each test site, and you'll get a reduced rate courtesy of being an EC student. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

GOOD LUCK to all of you! I love reading your stories! I hope to be posting my own journey before too long... :)

:clpty: :clpty: :clpty:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment