Hardest thing about EC????

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What is the hardest thing or subject in/about the EC program? How do you beat it?

EricJRN, MSN, RN

1 Article; 6,683 Posts

For me, a couple of things:

1) Stress management during the CPNE. The skills aren't all that hard, but it can be mentally overwhelming if you let it.

2) The waiting between steps in the process. All of the status report reviews, CPNE scheduling, processing for graduation... it takes up more time than you originally expect. Don't get in a huge hurry.

With that said, I had a good experience with Excelsior and would do it again.

Mudwoman

374 Posts

Specializes in Certified Diabetes Educator.

When you take a class at a brick/mortar school, you have deadlines and a schedule. You know that this is due this date and a test is on this date over this info. At EC, you are on your own. No one is going to make you study or make you take the tests. You have to be disciplined. If you by chance fail a test, it is not easy to pick yourself back up and move forward. You tend to be all excited on the front end and you study like crazy for those first couple of tests, but it would be easy to get half way and slack off-----think "well, I'll take this month off from studying"

I only lack the CPNE. I'm scheduled for Mar 23, 24, 25 in Plano. I therefore can't say just how stressful this part is, but I do know I'm spending lots of time trying to learn all I feel I need to know.

I totally ditto Eric's post. The dicipline was not that hard for me. The topics and subject not difficult (being an LPN already and less than 3 years out of school for that). The CPNE, and the dreadful waiting was the hardest, seemingly unjustified, rediculously excruciating part. Best wishes!

Specializes in ER, IICU, PCU, PACU, EMS.

I also agree. The time waiting felt endless.....

With that said - I would not have been able to become a nurse without the program and learned a lot.

tresjeni

17 Posts

Specializes in Surgical, Hospice, Private Practice.
I totally ditto Eric's post. The dicipline was not that hard for me. The topics and subject not difficult (being an LPN already and less than 3 years out of school for that). The CPNE, and the dreadful waiting was the hardest, seemingly unjustified, rediculously excruciating part. Best wishes!

:lol2: :o I thought the whole EC experience was....interesting to say the least. I went to such a supportive program for my LPN...the instructors were right there pushing you to suceed. Here, I was clueless, the theory exams, I had no-one to complain with, and then the CPNE...what the&^%???? I'm soooo happy it's over, I'm very independent and motivated as a solo learner, but I can honestly say that if it wasn't for my scholarship, I definately would not have done the EC route.

Anticoag...Nurse, what part of Wash. State R U???? I'm up here in Blaine, really Birch Bay, along the Canadian border. Any other peeps from Wash???

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