CPNE - How bad is it really?

Published

For those that have taken the CPNE, is it really as bad as I am hearing? I am practically having panic attacks over it and I haven't even submitted my application yet. A lot of people are saying it isn't doable, that they are just after making money...

Specializes in Geriatrics, Psych.

Thank you Nursetaminator

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in wound care, sub-acute, community nursing.

is there a study guide for the CPNE?? I would hope so. I am going to get Robs DVD's , can't go to a workshop..but I am sure many have passed without going. What do you recomend to practice writing care plans "their way"??

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I used Rob's CDs and I loved them!! Just be careful because not all the material is entirely up to date, I don't know what the changes for the 18th edition were but I used the 17th edition and there were a few things not applicable to me that he shows, but as a foundation he makes things simple and his mneumonics are great-- I used them and tweaked them to work for me.

Workshop wise, I recommend Sheri Taylor's. I was unable to do a hands on workshop but I did her online workshop and it was awesome. She is always around to support you and help you, you will be able to bang out a perfect care plan in 10 minutes and her videos are awesome. I also did a mock CPNE day with one of her associates.

As far as buying the most expensive stuff, don't. Go on facebook sites for CPNE students and the Excelsior peer network. People sell things after they are finished with them or give them away for free. I sent everything I had left over, my supplies, my notes, my Rob's CDs, my flashcards, my audio CD, my care plan book... seriously everything, put it in a box and sent it to another student for free. So much has been paid forward to me and I wanted to continue that on, and I think that is a trend with ALOT of Excelsior grads... someone just yesterday posted on FB he would pay his supplies forward to the first student who replied... so shop around.. once you are done with the exam you just want your life back and it's kinda a great feeling to get rid of the stuff. :-)

As far as testing sites yeah some do have horrible reputations (I can only speak for one of them because a friend of mine has had a horrible experience more than once there and she is VERY prepared) but for the most part I think there is alot to do with what you bring to it and how you are prepared. Someone on here above me posted they passed in Racine, WI which if you ask around from before it closed alot of people will tell you that they failed everyone there, so it's not like it can't be done at any one of these sites. My friend's weekend in Syracuse there was 2/6, my weekend there was 4 that I know of out of 6, and the next weekend when my other friends tested it was 5/6. A friend of mine just passed at Grady in Atlanta, and her weekend was 2/6, and the weekend before it was 6/6, you cannot base how successful you will be that way, you don't know how the students prepared that did not pass.

Just worry about you and you alone on your weekend, make sure you are as prepared as you can be, so that way when you go the only thing you need to worry about controlling is your nerves.... if you know these critical elements you will be just fine, and the best part of the CPNE is they pretty much let you and encourage you to have a cheat sheet so take advantage of it!!! I used mneumonics and you can refer to your papers at any time during your PCS. I had a check and a double check on my AOC's and my documentation and if you look back after you leave the room and you noticed you forgot something... they let you go back in.

Send me your email address and I will send you my journal. Good luck :-)

My email address is [email protected]

I did try Excelsior's Electronic Peer Network, which is nearly impossible to find now that they changed everything around. It appears that no one has really been trying to sell/give things away in a long time. :(

Thank you for the great advice!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
is there a study guide for the CPNE?? I would hope so. I am going to get Robs DVD's , can't go to a workshop..but I am sure many have passed without going. What do you recomend to practice writing care plans "their way"??

There is a study guide from Excelsior. For care plans I am not that far yet but I would suggest to follow your Mosby's book. I saw someone say that the highlighted resp ND with blue, vascular with red, comfort with yellow pain with orange etc..

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele/Neuro/Trauma.
My email address is [email protected]

I did try Excelsior's Electronic Peer Network, which is nearly impossible to find now that they changed everything around. It appears that no one has really been trying to sell/give things away in a long time. :(

Thank you for the great advice!

OK hunny I sent it to you!

A couple people gave their stuff away this week after they passed, I still check out the EPN now and then, trust me people are on there! And if you are on FB, lots of people post on their sites too, thats where I got my skills kit from for nothing and I paid it forward.

You're welcome for the advice. It really, really is not as bad as people say it is. What I envisioned in my head was so much worse. If you study and practice you will be just fine. :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Tele/Neuro/Trauma.
is there a study guide for the CPNE?? I would hope so. I am going to get Robs DVD's , can't go to a workshop..but I am sure many have passed without going. What do you recomend to practice writing care plans "their way"??

Once you read the study guide it makes alot more sense. The care plans have to be done in a very specific way. Once you start studying, Excelsior has some free resources, you can send in PCS's from their Blackboard for critique and also ones from the workbook and study guide. I sent in about one a week to Excelsior and their directions were very helpful. I also did Sheri's online workshop for a few months and she is who I truly credit with giving me the ammo to do a bulletproof careplan in 10 minutes. I think she has a bunch of free videos on the web on CPNE tips :-)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

It is very stressful, but as long as you make sure you are well prepared, it is certainly managable. I found that the EC site was very6 heolpful- other ppl who are studying post situations and careplans, ect. It helps a lot if you can visualize all of the requirements. I would imagine everything I would do, from the time I walked in, till I walked out again. Good Luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I would love to read your journal. I am testing in march in Syracuse. I am terrified. I have been a LPN in a critical access hospital for 8 yrs working med/surg, ER and L&D. I hope this helps me in my clinicals.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Not at all, atleast for me it wasn't. I had an wonderful weekend during my CPNE, yes it was very stressful but it was nothing like I had imagined it to be. The nerves were the worst part for me. It is absolutely doable. Go in confident but humble, act professional and prepared, and show them you want to be there. Be willing to back your decisions and fight for yourself eloquently, they will listen if you can make your point. Know your critical elements and be organized. The CPNE really is not much of a measure of what an RN does in my opinion... it is how well you work under pressure doing things in a step by step process.

I recommend where I tested (Syracuse, NY) to anyone. It was a great place and the CE's and CA were fabulous. BREATHE. You can do this. I studied non-stop for four months and had nightmares and panic attacks too.... and it was nothing like it's made out to be. It's a very individual experience and alot has to do with what you bring to it. I would be more than happy to answer any questions you have and I also have a journal of my CPNE if you want to read it.

Good luck!!!! :-)

Hi I would love to read your Journal. My e mail address is [email protected]

Thank You!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion