CPNE during the week?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 30, 2008

I took mine mid-week this week. We were the maiden mid-weekers.

shawnnarae · May 31, 2008

So what is it like when you are there? Do they hover over you? Are they nice or rude? Im soo curious as to what its going to be like when I get there. Everything will be so different than I am used to!

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2008

They're nice, they don't hover, but they watch every move you make.

My biggest tip would be know the critical elements inside and out, know what should be documented where, when in doubt, wash your hands and document something.

There is no. mercy. None. If it *could* be a pass or fail it *will* be a fail. Ask me how I know.

shawnnarae · May 31, 2008

Ya know, I always hear how 'traditional school' nurses are rude or don't give credit to 'nontraditional school' nurses, but SERIOUSLY, get them to pass this thing on the first try. At least in 'real' school if you miss something they let you fix it.

shawnnarae · May 31, 2008

Oh and just curious... when the state was at my facility, they counted using the no-water antimicrobial stuff as handwashing.... does the CPNE count it as this?

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2008

Depends on circumstances. I smacked it a LOT, and hit the water after EVERY patient contact, and entering or leaving the room. I hate the rub anyway. Makes my hands all icky.

RN211037 · May 31, 2008

I just got a midweek testing date for July 28-30th at Albany medical center. They just started the midweek testing to speed the wait time up a bit. I have started looking for flights and hotels for that week and there are NONE available, even within a 15 mile radius of Albany!!!! All the hotels are booked solid. Has anyone else testing on these dates looked for hotels in Albany NY and ran into this problem. Like the CPNE is not stressful enough on its on but now I am worried that there will be no vacant rooms or flights!!! WHEWWW!!!

aegirl · May 31, 2008

I tested at Faxton-St. Lukes the end of March. The CE's and CA were nice and encouraging. They watch everything you do, but they don't hover.

Make sure you have the labs down pat and can finish them in plenty of time while practicing. Your nerves can get the best of you and if you mess up not to the point of failure, then you'll have time to correct it. I finished the IV push station exactly at 15 minutes do to my nerves and those darn flushes!

Make sure you know your critical elements like the back of your hand. If you have mneumonics, practice, practice, practice! Practice writing them all out on your grid from memory. It really helps! Get in, and get out! Don't poke around. Get in there and do what you have to do and get done. Although, that can be easier said then done. If you are waiting around on the patient to eat, or whatever. Use that extra time to step out of the room and document! If you are pretty sure you know what your priority diagnosis is going to be, start writing out your eval care plan. Write up the documentation on your areas of care...even if you haven't done them...leave blanks to fill in. Doing these things helped me out...especially on my first PCS. Although, I did have to erase the one AOC documentation I did, but it still helped me out, because I was close to running out of time and if I hadn't done those things, I don't think I would have finished. When he was eating breakfast, that's what I did.

I used the hand gel a lot as well as washing my hands. If I just stepped into that room for a second, I would gel, and then re gel when I left the room. I didn't want to take a chance! At St. Lukes they have hand gel outside the room and then in side the rooms, which is nice. It's an older hospital, they don't have much electronic equipment. So after you do your first successful manual BP, you may not be able to find a dynamap to use and may have to take a manual for all of them. I got lucky and was able to hunt down the dynamap. Good luck! Any questions, feel free to PM me.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · May 31, 2008

I just got a midweek testing date for July 28-30th at Albany medical center. They just started the midweek testing to speed the wait time up a bit. I have started looking for flights and hotels for that week and there are NONE available, even within a 15 mile radius of Albany!!!! All the hotels are booked solid. Has anyone else testing on these dates looked for hotels in Albany NY and ran into this problem. Like the CPNE is not stressful enough on its on but now I am worried that there will be no vacant rooms or flights!!! WHEWWW!!!

I've stayed in Albany twice and never had a problem.

You've tried the ones on the list? Also, they added the Hilton at AMC, where I stayed. Right across the street. About $150 a night with taxes. The Holiday Inn Expresses are nice, as well, as are Best Westerns.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jun 1, 2008

Ya know, I always hear how 'traditional school' nurses are rude or don't give credit to 'nontraditional school' nurses, but SERIOUSLY, get them to pass this thing on the first try. At least in 'real' school if you miss something they let you fix it.

You shouldn't have a problem getting your credits transferred. Call your local trad programs to find out, though. I went to one of the top 14% nursing schools in the nation for my BSN after getting my ASN from EC, and they took all my credits, except one of my CLEPs, but that was because they only accept 6 CLEP credits upon entry to the program. I start a BSN-PhD program in the Fall, and they also accepted my EC credits. I've never gotten anything but a pat on the back by academics for being able to finish the EC program. Use the experience to your advantage in being able to show that you can independently study and meet your goals.