CPNE meltdown

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 28, 2008

Leigh,

Go to the top of the page and print off the workshop and two CPNE threads. LOTS of tips in there.

Take a workshop.

Buy the flash cards. Excellent $12 investment.

And go into the tudy guide and separate out the part that focuses on the actual exam.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Nov 28, 2008

Leigh, do you have a date yet?

Start with the study guide. Get it printed out if you haven't already. Some people tabbed the sections. Read that thing through in its entirety at least once. Then get cozy with Unit IV -- those are the critical elements.

If you haven't already purchased the EC skills bag, I seriously recommend doing so. If you purchase the EC skills bag, it comes with an excellent, small study guide that goes through the labs one step at a time.

Have you considered a workshop, as Sue suggested?

I also had the EC audio flashcards, as well as the regular flashcards. Both were excellent.

Hang in there, you CAN do this!!

TLAandy · Nov 28, 2008

Definitely break the study guide down!! I broke it down into 4 sections

1.) Labs

2.) Planning Phase

Implementation Phase

CDM

Overriding Areas of Care

Required Areas of Care

3.) Selected Areas of Care

Selected Areas of Care related to management

Other Selected Areas of Care

Evaluation Phase

4.) The rest of the study guide

Introduction

Unit I Overview

Unit II Structure, Process, and Application Process

Unit III Preparing for CPNE

Appendices

1,2,3 are the "meat" of the CPNE, but Unit II is a very, very good outline it will give you an idea of the test and how it is applied. The Appendices have all the paper work you will use during the CPNE. I started of studying to the CPNE just like a class, going through the chapters, reading, highlighting and taking notes. Then I went through all the areas of care and cut it down to the critical elements and then started practicing. I also recommend Robs DVD on Areas of Care and Lynn Fredricks Lab DVD. They make it "come alive" so to speak. I test Jan 9,10,11,2009!!! But, this allowed me to break it down into digestible pieces!!! Good luck:D

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 29, 2008

there is no way to study this monster without breaking it down. you have got some great suggestions so far. i highly recommend a workshop, but you may also benefit from the ec cpne start up course. i have not taken it but i think it helps you better structure your studying.

i first looked at all this and said ..no way... but if you approach it one section ,one area at a time then you can conquer it...

hi everyone. i was wondering if anyone was having the same problem i am with studying for the cpne. i am very overwhemled with the amount of information, there are so many resources to study from, i am bouncing all over the place trying to get a little bit of everything and i am not remembering anything at all. i do not work in a hospital so i am not familiar with some of the skills needed as home health does not require alot of equipment usually. i need some kind of organizational tool that can put me on the right path, but i have no idea where to begin. can anyone give me advice on how to study appropriately for this exam? i am so stressed and i really dont think i can pass this anymore. thanks in advance.
leigh

Raggedy Ann · Nov 29, 2008

Lejohn...Good Luck! Those tips sound good. I plan on printing them off for myself as well. I thank you all for chiming in, as it will be beneficial to many. Again, Good Luck on your studies and on testing!

Traci

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Nov 29, 2008

I agree w/all of the above. I would also suggest making copies of the forms in the appendices, and using them on your real patients at work, so you can get used to them. Use your real patients as case studies, to guide you in how you would manage that patient during the CPNE. You can practice your critical elements on them, since they are already a part of nursing care you would provide anyway. Use your mnemonics as you do this.

Good luck to you- you can do it!

lejohn50 · Nov 29, 2008

Hi Guys,

Thank you for all the responses, you are all very encouraging. I am going to dive back in and use all of your suggestions. I think I will start by seperating the study guide into different binders so that it is not quite as overwhelming. :) I do not yet have a date, EC is supposed to contact me sometime in January to set one up. Hopefully it will be a few months from now. :) I will also be ordering the skills bag from EC, I just didn't know when the right moment to do so was. I am thinking now is good. :wink2:

Thanks again! I will keep you posted!

ougreene · Dec 1, 2008

i also agree with all the replys mentioned here.

yes you must know the critical elements inside and out.

buy the skills bag...and practice till you can do each skill in under 10 minutes.

develope your mnemonics for your grid. and as it has been said before - trust your mnemonics. your mnemonics will help jog your memory by cutting right to the chase of the pertinant info. you need to act on.

become familiar with your nursing dx book.

plan to accomplish your studying/prepping in chunks at a time.

one to two months prior to your date, live and breath the cpne

arrive early, get a quite hotel room, and go over you grid and skills.

i wish you much luck! you can do it!

gail

caliotter3 · Dec 7, 2008

Many people highly suggest obtaining Rob's CPNE CD. He gives good suggestions on how to set up a practice area and practice the labs/PCS. Also you should attend at least one workshop if you can afford it. Some people attend more than one workshop. The website for Rob's CD: http://www.RobsCPNE.com

Boonce1 · Dec 29, 2008

PLease let us Know how yor CPNE test goes. How long did you have to wait to get a date? Did you go to any workshops. Did you have to take the FCCA? Please leave us details after your test Good luck?

Definitely break the study guide down!! I broke it down into 4 sections
1.) Labs
2.) Planning Phase
Implementation Phase
CDM
Overriding Areas of Care
Required Areas of Care
3.) Selected Areas of Care
Selected Areas of Care related to management
Other Selected Areas of Care
Evaluation Phase
4.) The rest of the study guide
Introduction
Unit I Overview
Unit II Structure, Process, and Application Process
Unit III Preparing for CPNE
Appendices
1,2,3 are the "meat" of the CPNE, but Unit II is a very, very good outline it will give you an idea of the test and how it is applied. The Appendices have all the paper work you will use during the CPNE. I started of studying to the CPNE just like a class, going through the chapters, reading, highlighting and taking notes. Then I went through all the areas of care and cut it down to the critical elements and then started practicing. I also recommend Robs DVD on Areas of Care and Lynn Fredricks Lab DVD. They make it "come alive" so to speak. I test Jan 9,10,11,2009!!! But, this allowed me to break it down into digestible pieces!!! Good luck:D

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Dec 30, 2008

I also went through unit IV and made my own flashcards where I would put on one side something like, "Abdominal assessment: Documents...." The other side has what the study guide says to document for abdominal assessment. Good luck! Go to the cpnex blog as well. He has lots of good info.