you can finish the 8 classes in 6wks or less ;)

GoalSeeker, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2014

Wow!!!! Very focused!Congrats

onyx33us · Jan 4, 2014

CONGRATULATIONS!!! for making it this far. Remain strong and encouraging and the good Lord will guide you...

medic112, EMT-P · Jan 4, 2014

*Disclaimer* If any of the following does not sound supportive, I apologize that is not my intent I am just inquisitive and I intend for these to be legitimate questions.

First off I must say congrats, that is a huge accomplishment. Now on to a few questions, did you have additional medical background before become a paramedic? Where will your comfort level come from when you're working a nurse if you have so little clinical experience? I have been an EMT/Paramedic for 6 years and have 7 years of in hospital experience too so, I feel like I have a good base and that for me is where my comfort comes from.

As for your studying, I unfortunately work 74-80 hours a week so studying 18 hours a day is impossible for me. Do you feel like you actually learned and retained the information you read, or do you feel like it was just so fresh that it was easier to recall short term just for the test? If you are someone who can read and retain that quickly PLEASE share your methods here or private message me with tips. I don't think I could finish this as quickly as you did but the sooner the better.

And as for the CPNE, I assume if you have been a paramedic for a short time you are nationally registered too? I feel like when I am ready for the CPNE I will approach it in the same way I did for the national registry practical. What are your thoughts on the test, I think they are very similar in structure and that will give a huge lead.

Congrats again and good luck with the FCCA.

Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN · Jan 4, 2014

*Disclaimer* If any of the following does not sound supportive, I apologize that is not my intent I am just inquisitive and I intend for these to be legitimate questions.
First off I must say congrats, that is a huge accomplishment. Now on to a few questions, did you have additional medical background before become a paramedic? Where will your comfort level come from when you're working a nurse if you have so little clinical experience? I have been an EMT/Paramedic for 6 years and have 7 years of in hospital experience too so, I feel like I have a good base and that for me is where my comfort comes from.
As for your studying, I unfortunately work 74-80 hours a week so studying 18 hours a day is impossible for me. Do you feel like you actually learned and retained the information you read, or do you feel like it was just so fresh that it was easier to recall short term just for the test? If you are someone who can read and retain that quickly PLEASE share your methods here or private message me with tips. I don't think I could finish this as quickly as you did but the sooner the better.
And as for the CPNE, I assume if you have been a paramedic for a short time you are nationally registered too? I feel like when I am ready for the CPNE I will approach it in the same way I did for the national registry practical. What are your thoughts on the test, I think they are very similar in structure and that will give a huge lead.
Congrats again and good luck with the FCCA.

I agree, while you may have "passed" how much did you really learn? How good are your skills?

I have been a paramedic since '96 and have tons of medic skills, and many did help me on my CPNE (I can do a head to toe assessment is no time with no issues, not even thinking about it).

I hope your studying can get your through the CPNE too, it is a tough one.

Congrats on getting through it. It only took me 6+ years :wideyed:

ScudderRN31 · Jan 4, 2014

I have been in the medical field of some sort for nearly 15 years beginning as an aide, went into ems, phlebotomy, med tech then on to nursing. Through every certification and licensure I wished I didn't have any experience at all going in. While we can do our skills with our eyes closed backwards we acquire habits that aren't "per book" which can play serious havoc when being tested. There is one way instructors/evaluators want to see something done and while "my" way may be correct it may not be as the "book" prefers. As far as what is being retained studying so fast, this is how I learn as well. A couple days before the test I get serious, especially the day of. You'd be surprised how much information you retain, even if you can't reheorifice it, you see it and it pops up in your head. If I could afford to fly through the tests like that I'd be right there with ya. Learn what you need to learn to pass the test, focus on mastering a particular area when you choose the area you want to work in. I work on a med surg floor full time, also have experience in OR, case management and with specialty clinics and can honestly say there isn't very many people that can tell me something I don't know pertaining to each. Most of our knowledge is obtained hands on with experience not from a book.

ypoe · Jan 4, 2014

Wow you guys sound very supportive. So what if he was about to knock out the classes in 6wks. He worked his butt off to get it done he's determined and sounds like he's doing a good job. If I had the time and could do it fast enough I'd do the same thing. I've also been in the medical field close to 10yrs and just because I know every skill I'm still nervous on clinicals. NCLEX/book style is completely different from reality.

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Jan 5, 2014

I must say that I applaud the OP's determination. I was in the same boat when I enrolled with EC, although my experience was as a 24-year LPN veteran. The more time available to devote to studies, the faster the completion time will be, hence, the self-paced environment. I passed the theory exams in 2 1/2 months while sitting in a classroom taking the general education courses. My hospital job had cut back my hours due to economic reasons (needing to get the most bang for their bucks by using RNs only as much as possible), so I had plenty of free time on my hands. So, why not hit the books hard and fast? There was nothing else to do: kids were grown, husband was on his way to becoming an ex (mission accomplished), working hours were limited so there was no money to have fun with. So, why not fly through Excelsior's program so that I could get on with life? In my case, retaining the information after the exam was not an issue because, unfortunately, what takes place in the real world seldom resembles textbook theory because the real world focuses on the bottom line ($$$$$$) and hopefully, a life or two is saved along the way:madface:. (Don't get me started on that one!!). But I already had an extensive background in the medical field. I'm not saying at all that the information isn't useful; just that sometimes we have to go through the motions in order to have the paper reflect where we already are. After all, one of Excelsior's statements is that " we believe what you know is more important than where you learned it";).

All that said, I personally haven't found any of the posts to be down-playing the OP's accomplishments, but everybody has a different interpretation of the written word. Some people are great test-takers and lousy nurses; some are lousy test-takers and great nurses; some do equally as well in both; and some suck at everything:no:! As far as clinical skills and what-not, I can't count the number of times I've had to reassure new grads who are panicking on the job. They all have a common statement: "they didn't teach us that in nursing school". I respond by saying, "I know, honey, I know. You learned the basics; what was needed to obtain your degree and gain NCLEX eligibility. Successfully passing those things gives you free admission to the combat zone where you will now learn how to be a nurse":yes:.

BlessedRN18 · Jan 5, 2014

You are excellent, congrats!!

Tru-Nurse · Jan 6, 2014

Amazing job! Congrats! I'm motivated even more!

Ultraposh · Jan 6, 2014

First off, everyone in this program is testing out of courses by studying at their own pace. To say for a second this person is not skilled or won't remember the info is very ignorant to say. Most people study for 2-3 weeks per exam. This is the average. Someone cuts that time in half or a little more than half because they have the time and you criticize them? We are all on the same boat. Traditional students are saying the same thing about you. Secondly, this person has faith in God and had dedication obviously others didnt have or unfortunatley were not able to because of their job/kids. The truth is, you would of done the same if you could have and we'd all be hearing about it. Thank God they didn't listen to comments that would have held them back..I applaud you and your experience was very inspiring. I will aim at 1.5-2 weeks, I have about 13 hours, 16 if I really try hard, of potential study time.

medic112, EMT-P · Jan 6, 2014

Speaking of ignorance, if anyone read the top of my post, you would see I tried to disclaimer that all of my comments and questions were legitimate and NOT taking a stab at this persons ability to get through the course. Please re-read a post before saying people are criticizing anyone.

With that said, referencing my own post, those of you who are able to get through these courses so quickly, I asked for background, do you think you'll feel comfortable? There is so much to learn during your precepting time and many new nurses I work with say THAT is when they learn their job, not during nursing school.

Today I took a stab at really pushing through one of my books seeing what I could remember and what I can't. I had a lot of the general concepts down but I don't feel comfortable with the level of detail I retained. I think a 2-3 or 3-4 week schedule would work for me with the amount of hours I work per week. Again feel free to post here any study tips you have that help speed up the process but I will be making a thread about accelerated study tips as to not draw focus from this students accomplishment.

Again we all congratulate EMTPRNDR.