CPNE,....Anyone have any neg. experiences

Rock, LPN, RN · Feb 25, 2003

WOW !!!

DebRN you wrote a book. It's very nice of you to share your experiences with others. I believe that is what makes a good nurse.

My experiences were similar in Albany. I believe in reviews. I think it gives you confidence and lowers your stress level.

Most people in Albany were nice. One Head Nurse on a ward was a little *****y, but we made it through anyway. She probably didn't like men.

Keep your chin up and forge ahead! ! ! !

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Feb 25, 2003

Ohhhh yes, they tell you why you failed. (In fact, afterwards they may even tell you exactly how you're supposed to do whatever you failed on, like if it's a careplan.) First you usually hear the dreaded phrase "let's step out in the hall". That phrase doesn't always mean you have failed..... sometimes they just want to check your vitals, clarify something with the CA (clinical associate) before docking you for it, or they have to go and get something, and technically we're not supposed to be in the pt's room without the examiner so that is why they ask us to step out for a moment.

AND. If the CE does try and fail you on something, you can always give your side of the story to the CA. You can explain your rationale for doing something how you did it. The CA is the "buffer" between the student and the CE. I have heard a few stories where the CE called a student on something, only for the CA to blow it off and say "ehh--- let them finish." We just have to be out for OURSELVES, and stand up for ourselves when we need to.

debRNo1 · Feb 26, 2003

Originally posted by Rock
.I think it gives you confidence and lowers your stress level.

I think so too and I felt like I really knew what to expect when I got there.

Here is the rest attached...............I hope

deb

pcs 1-2-3.txt

debRNo1 · Feb 26, 2003

7-01

In retrospect I feel that being prepared and managing stress is the ONLY way to be successful during this exam. I feel that my experience was a good one and I am extremely grateful and relieved to have passed. Study hard, memorize ce's and practice everything-labs,PCS's, documentation and notes. Do assessments using ce's and practice VS. If you could find a study partner- take advantage of it I did and I know it gave me an edge and increased my chances of passing this intense exam. Don't think because you have been a nurse for 30 yrs that that's all you need. With this exam it their way or the highway. Have a mindset to pass Think positive and don't let any negativity come your way. The staff is NOT out to fail anybody and I think that if they see that you are organized, confident and competent you will succeed. Not one of the CE's hovered over me not once !!

Use the grid or some other type of organization plan, when they see that you are organized they do feel more comfortable, after all its THEM who are ultimately responsible in the end for the pt and their care. I have heard rumors about Albany like don't go there they fail you there. People who live in NY are flying around the country to avoid a certain site, that is nonsense. You may get an instructor that's not so nice but if you show that you know what your doing they will have no choice but to pass you. My advice would be do not feed into the rumors and always ask Excelsior for the FINAL answer when a debate subject comes up. Many people mean well but may give you incorrect information or steer you in the wrong direction. Know that study guide and those critical elements !!! GOOD LUCK to all !!!!!!!!

kavi · Feb 26, 2003

Thank you Deb! Thanks for taking the time, this is awesome.

And Spazzy Nurse, thank you too for answering my question.

My CPNE is a ways off, but I 've kept these notes to review when my time comes.

The concern about passing the CPNE has had me the most frightened and concerned about the entire Nursing school experience. After reading this now, I definitely feel better.

:) :) kavi

debRNo1 · Feb 26, 2003

Originally posted by kavi
Thank you Deb!

You are welcome Kavi

You CAN do it !!! Glad you feel better now. Independant students dont have anyone pushing them with deadlines we are our own instructors. There were plenty of times I flew off course but did finish-eventually. The more you know about what to expect and what is expected the better prepared you will be to take the cpne.

lots of luck

deb

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Feb 27, 2003

Kavi--- I think fear of the big bad CPNE that is looming off in the distant future is what scares most people. But when people become accustomed to talking/reading about it and it's not such an unfamiliar thing, it gets easier to stomach the mere thought of having to taking it. I seriously used to get sick just thinking about it until I hooked up with the boards. When the time came to take it I was actually kind of excited. Nervous yes, but not scared. You are off to such a great start..... this thing will be no problem for you. Like The Debster :) said, sometimes we fall off course, but we get right back up again.

From stories I've heard from people who didn't know about the boards until it was too late in their game, those of us who DO know about them and utilize them have a big advantage over those who don't. So see? You're SET girl! Giddy-up! :cool:

oceanlover · Feb 27, 2003

Wow, all these tips are right on! I wish I would have known about this site before I took the CPNE. I passed the first time. But I had to repeat one of the lab requirements IVPB! I was so nervous I couldn't think straight. The next day I passed. Talk about stress though. And then my child needed percussion! I knew a little about percussion. But I treaded through step by step and eventually invoked the power of nursing decision not to perform percussion because the child was crying and fussing and I didn't want to make this child worse. And that was acceptable and correct. It probably wouldn't work very often though but it does occur.

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Feb 27, 2003

Congrats to you!! You did it all by yourself--- I bet you are proud, AND relieved.

I got to use CDM too...... it's like a giant thrill to get to be able to use that! I felt pretty cool when I got to do it. LOL :cool:

drawtj · Aug 13, 2004

I have an experience so similar to yours! I, too, breezed through the classes--14 classes in 15 mo and did great on all of them--and now I've hit a brick wall of my own. It is soooo frustrating especially when you know those critical elements. I am almost ready to schedule my 3rd CPNE (and final). I'm tired of failing over little things, though in all fairness, I failed the first time basically because I was too nervous to think straight! However, that was not the case the 2nd time. Where did you test and where are you going to test next?????

I am finished with the Assc. program, with the exception of completing the CPNE, which I have Frustratingly taken twice now, has anyone else "breezed" through the program, like myself, only now to be "hitting a brickwall" with the CPNE? Oh, and so you dont think I am of average intelligence and drive, a little background. I have been an EMT/Paramedic for approx. 18 years, 7 of those as a Paid Fire Fighter/Paramedic in a 911 system ( one of the best in Texas )(My medical director said my pt. care is "some of the best hes seen") , "Top" of my class in EMT program, "A" average in Paramedic Program, In Top "5" of my Fire Academy, extensive E/R experience (including level 2 trauma centers). Most of my academic endevours have come easy to me, its the CPNE's focus on trivial issues, that have tripped me up and frustrated me so.

Rock, LPN, RN · Aug 13, 2004

I have an experience so similar to yours! I, too, breezed through the classes--14 classes in 15 mo and did great on all of them--and now I've hit a brick wall of my own. It is soooo frustrating especially when you know those critical elements. I am almost ready to schedule my 3rd CPNE (and final). I'm tired of failing over little things, though in all fairness, I failed the first time basically because I was too nervous to think straight! However, that was not the case the 2nd time. Where did you test and where are you going to test next?????

What program are you with? I graduated from Exelsior College a while back. I am familiar with some of the requirements.

CRITICAL ELEMENTS are the most important things to know in order to pass the test. Simple things like, greet patient, check ID braclet, check number of drops in IV chamber/min., etc.

Sincerely,

Rock

drawtj · Aug 14, 2004

What program are you with? I graduated from Exelsior College a while back. I am familiar with some of the requirements.
CRITICAL ELEMENTS are the most important things to know in order to pass the test. Simple things like, greet patient, check ID braclet, check number of drops in IV chamber/min., etc.
Sincerely,
Rock

I am with Excelsior College. I know the critical elements--it's nerves and stupid mistakes. The first time I was so nervous when I did the IV push simulation (the 1st one I did) I could not read my watch when she asked me what the time was!! I couldn't do a simple calculation. The next day when I repeated it, I remember thinking if I fail this I'm out of here, and right then I neglected to palpate the site and it was over. I learned I really needed to control my nerves and my thinking. With alot of prayer, I was able to do that and much better the second CPNE. That one, I did great on the simulations. I had two adult PCS's that day. Did great on the 1st--I had a good care plan, implementation, and evaluation--I felt really good about it. I was almost done, had to go back into the room to check skin turgor. The pt had peed so I had to measure that--came out to finish my documentation and it just totally left my mind that I had measured that urine. I even had it highlighted on the form. Just a stupid mistake and and failed that one. The second pt had a weird syringe pump I had never seen (I'm an MA, work in a doctor's office and have limited hospital experience). The CE helped me through it somewhat, but there were no other IV's set up and I was looking at it more as an IV push because it was connected to an IVAD instead of a piggyback and never thought about that skinny little tube needing to be primed. That is inexperience. What kills me is if I had remembered to document that dumb output in the first PCS, I may have passed the weekend! I know I know the critical elements--I need to keep it together to the end!!

Any suggestions on a good place to test at next???

Thanks for your input!

drawtj