CPNE.....proctoring

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

I'm sitting on the other side of the fence as someone who has already graduated, so bear in mind that I likely would have agreed with you at one point. However, I'm going to play devil's advocate on this one.

We get a ton of questions from prospective students, traditionally-educated RN's, and others who question the validity of the program. In regard to our lack of clinical hours in the program, there are usually a couple of responses: 1) That we already had a ton of clinical hours in whatever program we finished prior to Excelsior and 2) That we pass a rigorous examination monitored by graduate-educated faculty that aims to measure our ability to function as a first day registered nurse.

I think there's a lot of strength in that second statement and it's probably what has kept EC in good graces with many of the state boards of nursing. I wouldn't want to move to a system that ran the risk of lessening or destandardizing that process. Keeping in mind how stories get out of hand, I can already imagine the responses: "Wait a minute. You didn't do any actual clinicals, then all you had to do was get some signatures from a nurse at your own hospital?"

The wait time for the CPNE is definitely a downer if you find yourself ready to test only to be held off, but (as evidenced by the pass rate) most people can use that time wisely to study their skills and critical elements.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

don't forget it is not just lvn's that attend ec, but paramedics and rt's. there are also other's with various levels of clinical experience .

Boston-RN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

I have to agree with Eric on this. I just finished up EC and I had a ton of questions regarding the "online" degree both at my current employer and my new employer. Some people that have never heard of EC are skeptical about the clinical. I just interviewed at one of the large teaching hospitals in boston on the cardio thoracic surgical floor and telling the nurse manager about this program she had never heard about I was able to tell her about the grueling process of the CPNE with the masters prepared nurses watching over every move you made with a white coat and a clipboard ensuring 100% accuracy or failure and she was put at ease that my RN was legit. I got the job. So as frustrating as it is...use the time wisely so you are one of the 64% that pass.

And just an afterthought.....if everyone did use the time better the passing rate would theoretically be higher. With a passing rate higher there would be less repeaters and therefore the wait would be less.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

I'm really good at getting ahead of myself and I'm already looking into NP programs. Meanwhile, I'm still an LPN and I'll be 55 or close by the time I have my RN. And I can't sleep, getting all squirrely about what to do next -

I'm a'gonna stop worrying and devote my time to studying for the CPNE and NCLEX.

And relax about what I'm gonna be when I grow up.

lvnandmomx3 · Nov 30, 2007

I'm really good at getting ahead of myself and I'm already looking into NP programs. Meanwhile, I'm still an LPN and I'll be 55 or close by the time I have my RN. And I can't sleep, getting all squirrely about what to do next

You have an eager mind that doesn't want to stop learning. You can achieve whatever you put your mind to.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

you have an eager mind that doesn't want to stop learning. you can achieve whatever you put your mind to.

thanks.

but what i do is get stressed. i start thinking about needing course x with a lab which i can't take because i live in turkey fart, america and how will i manage a lab online and i have to study for the cpne so how can i get the courses done by fall semester and and and....

:trout:

y'know?

i gotta stop!

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

don't feel bad i have just about lined up my bsn program and have not even taken my cpne ,but already have my eye on a 6 month internship in icu.

i'm really good at getting ahead of myself and i'm already looking into np programs. meanwhile, i'm still an lpn and i'll be 55 or close by the time i have my rn. and i can't sleep, getting all squirrely about what to do next -
i'm a'gonna stop worrying and devote my time to studying for the cpne and nclex.
and relax about what i'm gonna be when i grow up.

lvnandmomx3 · Nov 30, 2007

Thanks.
But what I do is get stressed. I start thinking about needing course X with a lab which I can't take because I live in Turkey Fart, America and how will I manage a lab online and I have to study for the CPNE so how can I get the courses done by fall semester and and and....

I do the same thing I just just worry about what needs to be done now I worry bout the whole picture, and I do it with everything in general not just school. But we will suceed one way or another.

What classes do you nee with lab I thought all EC and ISU courses where "lab" free.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Nov 30, 2007

all theory exams are lab free but the cpne is not.

what classes do you nee with lab i thought all ec and isu courses where "lab" free.

lvnandmomx3 · Nov 30, 2007

Ok I thought op was talking like about micro and lab or A&P and lab. I know for those of you doing CE the CPNE is very stressful it the last test( I know hand on 48 hour clinical lab) before graduation.

Mudwoman · Dec 4, 2007

Just the ramblings of a very tired mind...
You would think that with such a HUGE waiting list for CPNE, some sort of alternative "Plan B" would be devised.
If an RN in your hometown (or, even better-- at the facility you work at) would be willing to follow EC's stringent testing guidelines (and sign an affidavit to that fact) and proctor an LPN, we'd have little or no wait for clinicals and a lot more RN's running around!
The CPNE tests on things we (LPNs) do everyday in acute care settings(except IV pushes and hanging blood). Wound care, hanging piggybacks, starting IVs, drawing labs, TFs, working with vent-dependent pts, and of course-head-to-toe assessments and writing care plans.
I guess that would make too much sense and not enough dollars for EC, considering the pass rate of 64%.

The ONE sentence that most people miss the importance of, and is the major cause of the low pass rate is "Complies with established guidelines". AKA "Best practices" and "By the Book" and "In a perfect world this is how you do it". Yes, you have been drawing labs, starting IV's, doing wound care etc, and I guarantee you that on any given day, you cut corners, do it like everyone else does it. On any given day, you just "get er done". You have to. On any given day, some of your skills are NOT text book perfect and if you are going to pass the CPNE, they have to be.

Those CE's that test you have Master degrees in nursing and most all of them are nursing instructors at local colleges. They are used to critiquing students and text book guidelines. In order for the program to be certified and accepted by all those educational organizations that are important to be certified and accepted by, then the "instructors" must also meet the same criteria that you would expect in a traditional on campus program.

I studied for the CPNE for 7 months and passed without any repeats. Look at the wait time as a blessing.