For all those headed for the CPNE

[Mudwoman]

I passed this test last year with no repeats. Here are my recommendations

Read that first sentence in each of the areas of care in the CPNE study guide. That tells you that you need to have the recommended skills book and know the "best practice" way to do that skill for that area of care. So many miss this.

Spend the money for the skills bag, the online care plan and documentation class. Cheaper than repeating the CPNE.

Take someone with you. You need the diversion. You need the support.

Find a song that is uplifting to you and makes you feel like you could do anything when you hear it. Play it over and over until you can't get it out of your head. I had a song and I hummed that song to myself in my head all through the CPNE. It helped with the nerves so much!

Time everything so that you know how long it takes you to do something. If you know that you can do each of the simulated labs in 5 minutes, correctly every time, and you have 15 minutes to complete the labs, this makes for taking your time and thinking and not being nervous.

This test is in a hospital. It assumes that you are familiar with hospital culture and JCAHO rules. This doesn't imply that if you don't work in a hospital, you can't pass this test. It simply points out that you are taking a test that has as it's foundation a hospital RN model. Hospitals are ruled by JCAHO and you need to be familiar with that.

You are not going to get a patient that is critical. Most of the patients selected are stable and will be discharged soon.

Read the doctor's progress notes. My first PCS was a patient with end stage cancer. First thought was that pain would be my DX. Reading the progress notes, I learned that this patient's problem was nutrition/failure to thrive and she had very little pain.

Have some confidence in yourself. You have come this far. You have been a nurse or paramedic. Some nerves are natural and good. This is exciting. You are almost done. You are so close! This is your time to shine. If you are scared, frightened, and feel sick, then ask yourself what makes you feel this way. What part of this test do you not feel totally confident to complete.

Hope this all helps.

Charlee