CPNE issues and support from Excelsior College

Mudwoman · Nov 15, 2006

All I have left is CPNE too. I test Mar 23, 24, 25 in Plano. I'm doing the workshop in Irving Dec 5,6,7.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 15, 2006

I have a question about the workshop. Is it put on by a certain person or group. I am looking into EC if I fail to get into my transition program this year.The only reason I have not done it is because of the cost. I just don't have the up front money right now. Oh and I am waiting to have this baby ...Ill probably be in the hospital while your passing your CPNE..lol Have you heard good things about Plano. I think they all have their problems and a lot of it is the person testing and how you approach it. I am interested in getting info on the workshop if you have any or can tell me where to get some info..

All I have left is CPNE too. I test Mar 23, 24, 25 in Plano. I'm doing the workshop in Irving Dec 5,6,7.

RN34TX · Nov 15, 2006

I have a question about the workshop. Is it put on by a certain person or group. I am looking into EC if I fail to get into my transition program this year.The only reason I have not done it is because of the cost. I just don't have the up front money right now. Oh and I am waiting to have this baby ...Ill probably be in the hospital while your passing your CPNE..lol Have you heard good things about Plano. I think they all have their problems and a lot of it is the person testing and how you approach it. I am interested in getting info on the workshop if you have any or can tell me where to get some info..

Unless things have changed in recent years, EC's own website always provided a calendar of when and where they were having their workshops.

The workshop is put on by EC's own education staff and they go around the country with their workshops. They came to Dallas quite a bit back when I was in the program so that would be close to your area.

They also went to SA quite a bit and I just made a mini-vacation and road trip out of it and went there for the workshop (any excuse to go to SA is fine with me).

The staff who put on the workshop actually worked as CPNE examiners so I felt that even though it was expensive, it was well worth it because they know what they are talking about.

You will hear mixed reviews, but in my situation, I really think that taking their workshop and skills lab made all the difference between passing and failing for me.

I would highly, highly, recommend it to anyone regardless of how confident and experienced they are as LVN's. They really give some good insight on what the exam is all about, what is expected, and the lab stations are exactly as they are during the actual exam.

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Nov 15, 2006

I'm with RN34TX on this one. The workshop helped a ton. Going to SA for a few days wasn't bad either. :)

Mudwoman · Nov 16, 2006

EC does cost, especially this CPNE. Our local community college is inexpensive if you can afford to go full time, but taking a class at a time is about the same cost as one of the NC's. I have come this far and I figure I can spend the money for the workshop or possibly spend the money on another CPNE. I would rather go ahead and spend the money and get done. Getting my RN will almost double my salary, and when I'm having to spend this money, I keep that in mind. This money is an investment for my future.

I have heard both good and bad from EC students on Plano. I made the decision based on the fact that I could drive and not have to fly. Right now, flying is a nightmare and I thought that would just add to my stress level especially if I lost a bag or something. There is so much you can't take on the plane with you now.........just not worth it to me. So, in anticipation of Plano being maybe a little tougher, I'm giving myself a little extra time to study, timing it so I don't have weather issues and I'm thinking positive.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2006

I did not know that EC has it's own workshops.. That is great to know. Another thing I am worried about is after you have been doing things a certain way for so many years ..it may not be exactly textbook . If I do this I will stay here and Texas and do the CPNE unless the wait is over about 10-12 months. My husband will go nuts if I get on a plane and go somewhere being gone for that length. I will have trouble with him anyway cause I am not coming home during my CPNE to make dinner and all that mess. He is one of those husbands that thinks a husband and wife should never spend a night apart. But I cant focus or study anything this intense with 6 kids all over me. Plus it is cheaper just to test in Plano or even drive to Amarillo. A couple more questions . Do you have to do any procedures like foley's or injections during the clinical and I read somewhere that you can use a clip board with a cheat sheet, is that right. Thanks for the info...

RN34TX · Nov 16, 2006

I did not know that EC has it's own workshops.. That is great to know. Another thing I am worried about is after you have been doing things a certain way for so many years ..it may not be exactly textbook . If I do this I will stay here and Texas and do the CPNE unless the wait is over about 10-12 months. My husband will go nuts if I get on a plane and go somewhere being gone for that length. I will have trouble with him anyway cause I am not coming home during my CPNE to make dinner and all that mess. He is one of those husbands that thinks a husband and wife should never spend a night apart. But I cant focus or study anything this intense with 6 kids all over me. Plus it is cheaper just to test in Plano or even drive to Amarillo. A couple more questions . Do you have to do any procedures like foley's or injections during the clinical and I read somewhere that you can use a clip board with a cheat sheet, is that right. Thanks for the info...

The "cheat sheet" you are referring to is known as "the grid".

It's really not a cheat sheet because you must put down all of the info from memory once the exam starts so you do need to memorize the critical elements like the back of your hand.

The grid is basically a blank piece of paper that you divide up into squares. Each square is a different area of care for your particular PCS such as respiratory assessment, medications, etc.

Before you enter the patients room during the planning phase, what you are really doing is writing down from memory all of the critical elements for each area of care and checking them off as you complete them. This keeps you organized and doesn't leave you wondering whether or not you completed something. It also helps because you can verbalize everything you are doing so that the examiner knows what you are assessing, checking, etc.

Ex: "I'm going to assess your IV site now....no redness or swelling..... or I'm going to check your IV pump right now to verify that the rate and type of fluid ordered is correct....." Stuff like that.

The EC workshop does a great job of helping you develop a grid no matter what type of PCS you get and help you stay organized and focused.

Another thing I am worried about is after you have been doing things a certain way for so many years ..it may not be exactly textbook .

That's exactly why you memorize the critical elements and do things the EC way for 3 days.

You will be a nursing student, not an LVN during that 3 days and I'm sure that like most of us, you had different instructors wanting things done a certain way in LVN school.

Everything will be done according to the CPNE study guide, no exceptions. Your years of nursing experience come into play with the critical thinking/clinical judgement situations when you may need to omit or modify an area of care.

My husband will go nuts if I get on a plane and go somewhere being gone for that length. I will have trouble with him anyway cause I am not coming home during my CPNE to make dinner and all that mess.

And the EC staff highly recommends that people who do live close to the test center do NOT go home during the weekend. Even people who live in the metroplex will stay in a Plano hotel during the CPNE.

Fighting DFW traffic and possibly being late for the exam, car breaks down on the highway, dealing with your husband and children, no ma'am, you don't need that.

You will need a nice quiet hotel room to come back to each day until the exam is over. Relax in the jacuzzi, take a swim in the pool, get some room service.

Even if you get more basic accomodations to save money, you still need a quiet room to come to and unwind for your mental health. Light some candles and take a nice long bath.

The CPNE is a big investment and you want your mind and body to be in optimal condition to be successful.

Your husband will reap the benefits of you getting your RN as well so he needs to be more supportive and do a little sacrificing during that weekend as well as the prep/study months prior to the exam.

My partner went through pure @#%&!! during my prep months of the CPNE. He now says it was well worth it for both of us and is very glad I did it.

And so am I.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2006

Thank you for the reply... Everything makes total sense . I have to do some more research and get some money together first . Get a game plan together and start working on it. I want to get in before the EC changes go into effect or before the great State of Texas changes their policy.....

The "cheat sheet" you are referring to is known as "the grid".
It's really not a cheat sheet because you must put down all of the info from memory once the exam starts so you do need to memorize the critical elements like the back of your hand.
The grid is basically a blank piece of paper that you divide up into squares. Each square is a different area of care for your particular PCS such as respiratory assessment, medications, etc.
Before you enter the patients room during the planning phase, what you are really doing is writing down from memory all of the critical elements for each area of care and checking them off as you complete them. This keeps you organized and doesn't leave you wondering whether or not you completed something. It also helps because you can verbalize everything you are doing so that the examiner knows what you are assessing, checking, etc.
Ex: "I'm going to assess your IV site now....no redness or swelling..... or I'm going to check your IV pump right now to verify that the rate and type of fluid ordered is correct....." Stuff like that.
The EC workshop does a great job of helping you develop a grid no matter what type of PCS you get and help you stay organized and focused.
That's exactly why you memorize the critical elements and do things the EC way for 3 days.
You will be a nursing student, not an LVN during that 3 days and I'm sure that like most of us, you had different instructors wanting things done a certain way in LVN school.
Everything will be done according to the CPNE study guide, no exceptions. Your years of nursing experience come into play with the critical thinking/clinical judgement situations when you may need to omit or modify an area of care.
And the EC staff highly recommends that people who do live close to the test center do NOT go home during the weekend. Even people who live in the metroplex will stay in a Plano hotel during the CPNE.
Fighting DFW traffic and possibly being late for the exam, car breaks down on the highway, dealing with your husband and children, no ma'am, you don't need that.
You will need a nice quiet hotel room to come back to each day until the exam is over. Relax in the jacuzzi, take a swim in the pool, get some room service.
Even if you get more basic accomodations to save money, you still need a quiet room to come to and unwind for your mental health. Light some candles and take a nice long bath.
The CPNE is a big investment and you want your mind and body to be in optimal condition to be successful.
Your husband will reap the benefits of you getting your RN as well so he needs to be more supportive and do a little sacrificing during that weekend as well as the prep/study months prior to the exam.
My partner went through pure @#%&!! during my prep months of the CPNE. He now says it was well worth it for both of us and is very glad I did it.
And so am I.

A6fan · Jun 19, 2009

Bought ALL my study stuff on ebay! The latest College Network stuff worked for me! Averaged about $50 a module. Resold it on ebay and made money!