[Spazzy Nurse]

Hey, maybe Phoenix rep has changed. It used to be known as top notch. Sorry if I gave you wrong info.

The notes from the boards are GREAT to study from. It's also great to read peoples' CPNE tips in their experiences. Don't get hung up on stupid crap, like wiping off your clipboard with an alcohol wipe before you set it down. It's unbelievable what some students do to be "aseptic". When the EC instructors heard that one they peed their pants laughing. They said the CE would probably fail you for being that weird.

[quote=PJ in Ca.]

Originally Posted by Spazzy Nurse

PJ--

Use that worry and stress as motivation. Use this as a test against yourself...... a big ol' challenge. As many things that you can turn into positives the better off you will be. Just remember that LOTS of people pass. Lots and lots.

Like Lgflamini said, Racine has great reputation. Madison and Phoenix do also.

Quote=PJ to Spazzy Nurse

You know I am trying to be positive and am an over studier. I know 4 people that went to Phoenix that failed, and one of them for the 2 time. So Im thinking maybe thats not a good place. Then I was told by an ex EC student not to go to Long Beach. She passed for the first time in San Diego. I have already sent my papers in to San Diego but Racine or Madison is sounding better all the time. I have decided that if I fail I will pick myself up and do the 3 times if I have to, money or no money. I know some very prepared people that failed and I think they failed themselves because of anxiety. My friend at work [Pam] said, " Its so stressful I just wanted to run out of there." Lgflamini sent me some dynamite study material for which I am so grateful. Im worried about care plans because I know you don't have a lot of time in CPNE to write them. Also having to revise them worries me. Have any suggestions? Thanks. PJ

[BBFRN]

It can be stressful- just go in there knowing everything you need to know, and you'll be fine. As far as the Care Plans- choose your primary nsg dx based on what your assigned areas of care are. That is the key. You can also use Risk for Injury for every PCS as your secondary dx- as long as your primary isn't also a Risk For. Just remember that every pt is in the hospital for a specific reason. You should have no problem finding primary nsg dxs for them, and use the assigned areas of care as a hint of what the CEs are looking for in your care plan. The assigned areas of care are always appropriate for what's going on with the pt. Look over that Carpenito's Help file I sent you- take heed to the tips there. Tab & highlight those nsg dxs in the Carpenito's- it'll help save you time in your care planning, and you are allowed to do that- just don't write notes in it. Also go over that Eval Phase file I sent you. It has great tips for what to write on your eval sheet. Remember that if your interventions didn't work, think about whether those interventions need to be continued for an extended period to move the pt toward the desired goal, or if they need to be changed altogether. If they need to be changed, you do not have to go back in there & perform the revised interventions. I was lucky enough to have enough pt care experience to be on the money with my interventions. I got results with almost all of my interventions. Choose your interventions by what tasks are listed in your assigned areas of care. Know enough to be able to decide which will get the most results- and choose those as the interventions that you write down for your dx. If you got better results from other interventions that you performed for that AOC, then revise your care plan to include those interventions- makes it easier that way. Also know what questions to ask the primary nurse in report. Ask questions that will give you added info about your areas of care. Look at the previous flow sheets to determine whether your assessment has differing info than is what's on the flowsheet, so you can report any changes to the nurse. I got differing info on a few of my assessments than the previous shift, so I did have to report a couple things to the nurse. The CE will watch you on this, so pay attn to it.

They say most people fail on vitals, nsg dx's , and eval phase documentation. Study these areas if they're your weak areas. Get to know that darn Carpenito's- it'll be your bible during the CPNE.

[joiclark]

i was wondering if you could possibly give me any info on the CPNE and tell me what Carpenitos is. thanks

Originally Posted by lgflamini

It can be stressful- just go in there knowing everything you need to know, and you'll be fine. As far as the Care Plans- choose your primary nsg dx based on what your assigned areas of care are. That is the key. You can also use Risk for Injury for every PCS as your secondary dx- as long as your primary isn't also a Risk For. Just remember that every pt is in the hospital for a specific reason. You should have no problem finding primary nsg dxs for them, and use the assigned areas of care as a hint of what the CEs are looking for in your care plan. The assigned areas of care are always appropriate for what's going on with the pt. Look over that Carpenito's Help file I sent you- take heed to the tips there. Tab & highlight those nsg dxs in the Carpenito's- it'll help save you time in your care planning, and you are allowed to do that- just don't write notes in it. Also go over that Eval Phase file I sent you. It has great tips for what to write on your eval sheet. Remember that if your interventions didn't work, think about whether those interventions need to be continued for an extended period to move the pt toward the desired goal, or if they need to be changed altogether. If they need to be changed, you do not have to go back in there & perform the revised interventions. I was lucky enough to have enough pt care experience to be on the money with my interventions. I got results with almost all of my interventions. Choose your interventions by what tasks are listed in your assigned areas of care. Know enough to be able to decide which will get the most results- and choose those as the interventions that you write down for your dx. If you got better results from other interventions that you performed for that AOC, then revise your care plan to include those interventions- makes it easier that way. Also know what questions to ask the primary nurse in report. Ask questions that will give you added info about your areas of care. Look at the previous flow sheets to determine whether your assessment has differing info than is what's on the flowsheet, so you can report any changes to the nurse. I got differing info on a few of my assessments than the previous shift, so I did have to report a couple things to the nurse. The CE will watch you on this, so pay attn to it.

They say most people fail on vitals, nsg dx's , and eval phase documentation. Study these areas if they're your weak areas. Get to know that darn Carpenito's- it'll be your bible during the CPNE.

[BBFRN]

It's the nursing diagnosis book we use for the CPNE. We are only allowed to take 2 books in the facility with us- the Carpenito's Handbook of Nursing Diagnoses, and a drug book.

[opalmRN]

Originally Posted by lgflamini

Let us know what you need help with the most, and we'll do our best to clear some things up for you. If you have any questions, ask, ask, ask.

You, Spazzy, Chris ever think of starting your own CPNE prep class? If you do let me know, I want in!!!

Still waiting to here from EC but it's only been little over a week since I sent the app. All set to hit NC's as soon as I get the word. I feel like a sprinter at the starting line waiting for the sound of the pistol.

Thanks for all your support. Keep up the good work and keep the info coming for all us newbies and hopefully newbies.

[BBFRN]

Opalm- go ahead and start studying for NC1. Then you'll be good & ready to go ahead and take the exam by the time your app process is done.

[Spazzy Nurse]

Originally Posted by opalm

You, Spazzy, Chris ever think of starting your own CPNE prep class? If you do let me know, I want in!!!

Still waiting to here from EC but it's only been little over a week since I sent the app.

Yaaaaaaaay Opalm! You've been talking about it for a while now. Congrats on jumping in!

I'll attend the CPNE prep class but I can't teach. The part of my brain that stored CPNE knowledge has turned into a giant mushy turd.

[J Lynn]

Originally Posted by lgflamini

I posted my experience at the rnstudygroup site if anybody wants the details of how it went. Beware: it's a very long post...lol.

I can't find the rnstudygroup. Is it with Yahoo or the web?

[J Lynn]

Nevermind......I found it under RegNurseStudyGroup in Yahoo.

[BBFRN]

JLynn- that's a different group, I think. Go to Yahoo, then click on Groups. Then do a search for either rnstudygroup or Excelsior College Nursing. rnstudgroup specifically is the best one (you have to click "Join this group" after you get to it, and then fill out an info section. It may take a few days, but after that, you should get a confirmation that you have been approved. If you still don't get an OK after a while, let me know and I'll let the moderator know that you're a real student.