What is CPNE????????????????

CCU NRS · Dec 7, 2004

Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam. apparently it is sort of a final exam for Excelsior program or equivalent. That is my understanding.

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Dec 7, 2004

Thanks.

Hi Tweety,

The CPNE is an intense clinical skill exam that is required to graduate from EC's nursing program. I think it is 3 days long and they have testing sites at various locations across the nation. It is reported to be somewhat intense due to the level of error that is allowed, or should I say, not allowed. You are assigned a preceptor and you then must perform patient care and also pass a skills lab. I believe you are assigned 1 peds patient and 2 adult patient care scenarios that you must pass with minimal mistakes.

I am sure someone who has taken the CPNE will respond soon with a more accurate and detailed description.

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Dec 7, 2004

Tweety....CPNE stands for clinical performance nursing examination. It is the final step in Excelsior's ASN program. There is 8 hours awarded for the 3 day clinical test, done at several teaching hospitals in the nation. 1st day is lab skills test, IV push meds, IVPB rate and setup, IM/SQ, and wound packing, station. The next two days are patient care situations.. Very strict guidelines here, you are assigned 2 adults and one peds patient and are responsible for the assigned areas of care for example: neuro assessment, periphreal vascular assessment, Respiratory management, medications, etc. etc. A care plan must be approved and submited prior to implementation of patient care. Then the follow up evaluation and narrative charting. Oh, yeah, the instructors are on you like a hawk, dual stethoscope, etc. They are Master level instructors at local universities or colleges. If all is well, and you haven't violated any of your prememorized "critical elements" you can pass and move on to the next patient. This is a very hard test. Mostly stress and nerves. According to the college 61% pass the first time. The test may be repeated only twice thereafter. Each time is a BIG fee and of course the wait up to five months for a testing site. I am so glad I recently passed. IT was very stressfull!! I hope that helps.....Rock on folks....nclex bound

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 10, 2004

Tweety....CPNE stands for clinical performance nursing examination. It is the final step in Excelsior's ASN program. There is 8 hours awarded for the 3 day clinical test, done at several teaching hospitals in the nation. 1st day is lab skills test, IV push meds, IVPB rate and setup, IM/SQ, and wound packing, station. The next two days are patient care situations.. Very strict guidelines here, you are assigned 2 adults and one peds patient and are responsible for the assigned areas of care for example: neuro assessment, periphreal vascular assessment, Respiratory management, medications, etc. etc. A care plan must be approved and submited prior to implementation of patient care. Then the follow up evaluation and narrative charting. Oh, yeah, the instructors are on you like a hawk, dual stethoscope, etc. They are Master level instructors at local universities or colleges. If all is well, and you haven't violated any of your prememorized "critical elements" you can pass and move on to the next patient. This is a very hard test. Mostly stress and nerves. According to the college 61% pass the first time. The test may be repeated only twice thereafter. Each time is a BIG fee and of course the wait up to five months for a testing site. I am so glad I recently passed. IT was very stressfull!! I hope that helps.....Rock on folks....nclex bound

Beautifully described. If I may add a few small details.

Each of the (minimum of three) patients you care for in the CPNE has four or five must-do tasks and five or six that will be assigned. Each of these 9 or 10 "areas of care" will be closely observed and then you document in "progress notes." If it's not written, it didn't happen, even if your examiner saw it.

And all of this, including the care plan, receiving report, performing the various tasks and care, documenting, must be completed in one 2-1/2 hour session.

I have not felt quite so proud of any other academic accomplishment as I did when I succeeded at my CPNE. I actually cried. I have heard that others did too.

It's a feather in the cap of every graduate of Excelsior College. Somebody correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe our school is the only one in existence with a clinical final like that one.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Dec 10, 2004

Thanks so much for the explanation. Sounds horrid and anyone who passes should be proud.

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 10, 2004

Sounds horrid and anyone who passes should be proud.

The really horrid part was my own anxiety and stress. When I got that under control, I loved it.

But then, I absolutely love patient care and I'm proud to be able to take care of someone. It doesn't bother me to be watched--and I talked to the patient the whole time, so I relieved myself of the worry of whether the examiner knew I knew what I was doing. (Each one of them knew.) And the patients love the attention.

All in all, minus the stress, it was a blast.

But then, I've often been accused of being a bit different (paraphrased to spare the censors their ink, lol).

Oh, I forgot to say that the school keeps everything very, very confidential. The examiners don't know anything about you except you completed the academic requirements to make it that far. They don't even know if you passed or failed any of the PCS's (patient care situations). Just about as objective as you can make it.

CSLee3, ASN, BSN, LVN, EMT-P · Dec 13, 2004

Chris.....I'm glad YOU thought it was a Blast!!! You are right about the stress...control that and you're half-way there! Now, I think when they send your confirmation packet for your site..they should send a couple of ambien or xanex!.....LOL I am so glad it is done and to all my fellow Excelsior or Regents grads.......glad I could join your ranks!!!!

Chuck

chris_at_lucas_RN, RN · Dec 13, 2004

Chris.....I'm glad YOU thought it was a Blast!!! You are right about the stress...control that and you're half-way there! Now, I think when they send your confirmation packet for your site..they should send a couple of ambien or xanex!.....LOL I am so glad it is done and to all my fellow Excelsior or Regents grads.......glad I could join your ranks!!!!
Chuck

Congratulations, my friend. I'm not the least surprised to see you, here in the Lived-Through-CPNE Club! Eight more weeks and you'll have your RN! (Mosby CAT .....!)

mona b RN, BSN, RN · Dec 13, 2004

Chris.....I'm glad YOU thought it was a Blast!!! You are right about the stress...control that and you're half-way there! Now, I think when they send your confirmation packet for your site..they should send a couple of ambien or xanex!.....LOL I am so glad it is done and to all my fellow Excelsior or Regents grads.......glad I could join your ranks!!!!
Chuck

Maybe they could include these items in the nurses skill bag :chuckle