CPNE study time

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

I'm almost done completing my CPNE application, and have opt for the cancellation list. I'm giving myself 4 months of studying/practicing to declare myself ready to take the CPNE. To those of you that have passed the CPNE, how much preparation have you done before taking the exam? Is 4 months enough time? I'm planning on spending 3 hours a day practicing for the 1st 3 months and the last month practicing the documentation/careplanning. I really hope to get a CPNE date before January!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I think that's plenty of time. I "kinda sorta" studied between January-March of 2008, just reading the study guide allllll the way through a couple of times, and once I got my date in early April (for a CPNE in mid-June), I kicked it into a higher gear and set up my home lab/pt dummy (fondly known as Esmeralda Formaldehyde, don't ask me why). So yes, 4 months sounds like it would be enough, if you're planning to devote that much time. Remember to give your brain some breaks, though! :)

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I can't pinpoint how much time I studied but at first I read the studyguide and picked mnemonics I wanted to use. I then memorized them and gradually things started coming together. I studies really hard the last 1.5 months before the CPNE.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

Thanks for replying, i'm so nervous about this exam, i really need to pass. I'm going broke with this education!

I'm a nervous wreck! A former classmate of mine friend just failed at the Milwaukee site and now she's thinking I'm wasting my time and money on the program. She said it was an unfair fail because the CA or CE wasn't looking when she alcohol swiped the top of the insulin bottle. I'm scared to death of failing due to the CA or CE mistake!

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Good Morning, I just wanted to say, please do your best to stay away from negative comments while you are preparing to "Marry" the Beast. Stay on this board as well as the EPN. LunahRN, NC GIRL RN, and several others have valuable info to give us. I am preparing for my marriage in July. I am staying clear of the negative, and trying to make sure that I'm performing like the trained circle animal for "MY MAN THE BEAST". That dance will be your dance and your dance alone. It's ok to take advice on the do's and don'ts, but when it becomes more negative, "STAY AWAY" Good Luck!:twocents:

Dawn

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

Hello! Thanks for replying! I should've learned already not to listen to negative comments. I've made it this far with no complications while keeping a positive attitude, and I know if I keep the same attitude, I will have a very good chance in passing the CPNE! It seems like people who think negative all of the time, are the failures. I've read on the EPN boards the do's and don'ts of the CPNE, but as far as reading further into people saying the school is a rip-off and they make it so nobody will pass, I have to keep those comments from being absorbed in my brain! I just submitted my application today and picked the sites I've heard so many good things about: Racine, Madison, and Janesville. I have to keep chanting to my self: I will pass, I will pass, I will pass! That strategy worked for all of the nursing concept exams!

Good Morning, I just wanted to say, please do your best to stay away from negative comments while you are preparing to "Marry" the Beast. Stay on this board as well as the EPN. LunahRN, NC GIRL RN, and several others have valuable info to give us. I am preparing for my marriage in July. I am staying clear of the negative, and trying to make sure that I'm performing like the trained circle animal for "MY MAN THE BEAST". That dance will be your dance and your dance alone. It's ok to take advice on the do's and don'ts, but when it becomes more negative, "STAY AWAY" Good Luck!:twocents:

Dawn

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
I'm a nervous wreck! A former classmate of mine friend just failed at the Milwaukee site and now she's thinking I'm wasting my time and money on the program. She said it was an unfair fail because the CA or CE wasn't looking when she alcohol swiped the top of the insulin bottle. I'm scared to death of failing due to the CA or CE mistake!

This is one reason I was VERY deliberate at the CPNE, and I verbalized everything! (Within reason, of course ... I didn't verbalize stuff like, "Holy cow, I can't hear anything in this woman's ancient lungs.")

You will ALWAYS hear negatives from people who failed. It's natural. Just don't let it be your story. Your weekend is YOUR weekend. Your experience will be your own. *hugs* And remember, that person didn't just fail because she didn't wipe the insulin bottle ... that is one mistake, and that lab can be repeated. It's never just one thing that means failure ... it's one LAST thing. There is always a safety net!

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.
( I didn't verbalize stuff like, "Holy cow, I can't hear anything in this woman's ancient lungs.") Hilarious! :chuckle

I'm going to concentrate on memorizing and practicing the critical elements through and through. I also have the skills kit with the Nursing Clinical Skills booklet that I'm going to follow step by step when I'm practicing. I also have to control my stress and look confident! I love this forum, it really decreases my stress and anxiety whenever it starts building up!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
Thanks for replying, i'm so nervous about this exam, i really need to pass. I'm going broke with this education!

I'm a nervous wreck! A former classmate of mine friend just failed at the Milwaukee site and now she's thinking I'm wasting my time and money on the program. She said it was an unfair fail because the CA or CE wasn't looking when she alcohol swiped the top of the insulin bottle. I'm scared to death of failing due to the CA or CE mistake!

Don't let that get to you. My friend also failed at the IVP station and I got scared but she assured me that it was passable. She went back a month later and passed with flying colors. Also look at Suesquatch and LPNmaura. They all concoured the beast the second go. Also dont forget about the large number of us whe passed the FIRST time. NO MATTER WHAT you have to stay focused on knowing the critical elements and taking your time and tackling one task at a time. ONE minute at a time for that matter. IF you prepare You can pass. Control your nerves and claim your prize. Anytime you need reassurance just page one of us and we will pump your head with postive thoughts!!!!!!!!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
This is one reason I was VERY deliberate at the CPNE, and I verbalized everything! (Within reason, of course ... I didn't verbalize stuff like, "Holy cow, I can't hear anything in this woman's ancient lungs.")

You will ALWAYS hear negatives from people who failed. It's natural. Just don't let it be your story. Your weekend is YOUR weekend. Your experience will be your own. *hugs* And remember, that person didn't just fail because she didn't wipe the insulin bottle ... that is one mistake, and that lab can be repeated. It's never just one thing that means failure ... it's one LAST thing. There is always a safety net!

Could not have said it better Lisa!:yelclap:

There is a lady at my job who has failed the CPNE twice and she told everyone on the job how unfair EC is because she failed because she forgot to ID a patient. I then turned to her and said " Well what else did you do because it takes more than that to fail the whole weekend." I was not gonna let her get away with talking about the school that I have alot of respect for. Come to find out, she has failed for several things and if she knew her critical elements she would be a RN by now. Now she is on my coat tail thinking that I am her only chance to passing the CPNE. I am willing to help but she doesn't realize that passing the CPNE comes from within.

LPN2005 and Fatcat, you all have that the ability to pass this test. I know that you will do what it takes to learn the material and perform your skills at 100% efficiency. Also remember that you can still pass if you make mistakes. If I gambled, I would put money on your VICTORY!!!! But I rather stand on the sidelines and cheer you on! We are your friends and we care about you.:loveya:

:lol_hitti

This is what I did to the CPNE monster..........

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

I made a mistake! I failed a PCS for failing to ID a patient. Duh. It was a fair failure, it was totally my fault. I owned it, I moved on, and I passed the next (and final) PCS, and my weekend. :) So ONE mistake doesn't take you out of the running. It drives me insane when people say that.

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Specializes in Cardiac Care, Palliative Care.

Thank you for all of your advice! I feel so much better now. I just got that CPNE guide printed and will started reading through it until I have the critical elements memorized! I'm also waiting for my flashcards and audio cd from Excelsior.

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