Still can't believe it. I passed with NO repeats! Grady is a GREAT site!!!... The CAs (we had two, one Fri and the one on the weekend)and CEs want you to pass. I was finished at 10AM today, and one person was done before me, she also passed. We started with 8 on Friday, 8 on Saturday morning two of whom had lab repeats. The again 8 on Sunday morning three with PCS repeats.
The best advice I can give even though you have hear a million times before, is to know your critical elements. Also, keep your anxiety in check, on Friday I forgot to take my Xanax and was shaking like a leaf during the labs. But on Saturday an Sunday even though I was still nervous a half of my 0.25 mg Xanax, my prayers to St. Joesph of Cuppertino, and my Hail Mary's pulled me through. In addition to those keep a few words in mind at all times to avoid simple failures: ID, Aspirate, Glove, wash/Gel. I also recommend that in the documentation phase you write EVERYTHING in your narrative notes. Pretend link you are writing a movie script, and include every word, sound, expression, ect.
The CPNE is NOT hard, study the critical element unit of the study guide, get some mnemonics together, and don't show that you have been a nurse or whatever for years, in this exam if you have your way of doing things erase them from your mind. Do it ECs way. Not only will this help you pass the CPNE, but honestly their way of doing most things are really good, and incorporating them into your practice will make you a better and more thorough nurse.
I am not going to write a journal, because my memory isn't as good as it seems those that post them are, but the above tips should help.
Also if you are testing at Grady, stay at the Holiday Inn they recommend. It is not the greatest but will suffice. It is very close to the hospital, one of the testers actually walked there this morning. And the shuttle is great. But be prepared to pay for a taxi to get their Saturday and Sunday because the shuttle doesn't start until 7 am , and you will need to be there for 7 am. It will be $8 if you are alone, and $4 for multiple people. The Taxi's usually hang out in the parking lot, so you shouldn't have to wait.
I am not quite a GN yet, I still have to do micro, and need clep bio for a filler for my sciences supportive of nursing but if all goes well that will be this month as well.
