I've been reading a few threads regarding EC and it seems that the classes are par for the course. The fact that there is a CPNE vs Standard Weekly Clinicals seems to make the whole program faster than some of the other available options as well.
Unfortunately, this CPNE thing seems like a horrific event and I'm starting to wonder why? There are workshops, additional study guides, etc, just for this aspect of the program. Did those who took it really find it that difficult? If so, what aspects made it so difficult? For those that found it difficult, did you have any previous clinical experience during your LPN training? If so, what were those experiences like? Approximately how many hours of clinicals and where did you perform them?
Sorry, I don't mean this to sound like an interview ... I'm just trying to decide between a few of the programs and this CPNE thing seems like a monster. If all they are testing are the same things you did during LPN clinicals, then why is it so scary?
Just another opinion for you... I also thought the entire process was exactly what the study guide said it would be. You will absolutely have to have the critical elements memorized and you absolutely have to have your nerves under control. Maybe I just got lucky, all the CE's I dealt with were wonderful, almost like grandmotherly types. Passed everything first try. I did get stuck with one man that tried very hard to make life difficult, but still managed to finish on time. Good luck, you can do this!!
What I always find to be interesting in these threads is the relationship between the student's outcome of their own exam and their perception of how fair, consistant, and reasonable it was.
At times I feel like an outsider because I passed it the first time around but I'm not so quick to say that it was a fair and consistant exam.
I've seen some, but very few other posters, who share my view.
In fact, if I criticize the CPNE and fail to mention that I passed it, people just assume that I must have failed simply because I'm bad-mouthing it.
That's because the recurring theme here is to see first time passers tell the same story about how if you know your critical elements you will pass.
Most are convinced that the exam is consistant whether you take it in Atlanta or Albany and that it makes no difference who you have for an examiner. Those who failed, if any, in their group during their weekend are reported by the CPNE passer as having been unprepared and/or nervous and thus failed for those reasons.
That's the feedback I've gotten from 99% of first-time CPNE passers. I'm not saying it was wrong, as perception is a subjective thing, it just wasn't my own experience and I often wonder why I don't feel the same way as the vast majority of CPNE passers here.
Then you have the failed students. I've seen see two groups here. One group failed their first time and are never going back to take it again. Some report feeling singled out and "set up" by the examiners to fail. Some even become so bitter that they declare the entire program to be invalid and join the bandwagon of "EC must be stopped" after their failure.
The second group goes back to test a second time and the ones who pass this time will swear that it was because they either had different examiners or CA's or went to a different location altogether.
I guess it's human nature.
Right now at work, we have two different opinions about whether the scheduling of shifts is fair and consistant for all.
Those who get their desired schedule every month believe that the scheduling policies are fair and consistant for all, while those nurses who are not getting their desired schedule every month, believe that it is not fair and that the manager plays favorites.
The guy in our group who failed self reported that he studied about a week....this would be cake for him because he had been an LPN for years. You get these kind of CPNE students. I must say that I have conversed with more than a few first time (and second time ) passers, from different locations, who deem the exam as by the study guide. Several second time passers will tell you they realize their mistake and know why they failed!!! One girl forgot to ID b/f meds, forgot her evaluation, and then ran out of time....all her own mistakes and still felt the test was by the book. I am sorry that some had problems....I wasn't there--they were, BUT I do know that my exam was fair. No easy instructors here--just fair and by the guide. Most people I have spoken with (and that has been about 20 through various groups) all felt the CPNE was fair and pretty uncomplicated if one knows the elements and is in control. Because of the nature of the program, EC must be very strict by their testing testing standards--this is suppose to be a net that catches those who may not be ready to be an RN. There are no other clinicals to obbserve the students.
If you get an examiner who wants to make it hard on you (believe me, they are scattered here and there and they do exist) they can find a reason to fail you.
Examiners are not robots. They have their own personalities/weaknesses/strength/virtues or lack of. Like I've said, not everyone who goes to take the test is truly prepared, but Ihave no doubts that many times perfectly capable people are sent home because of some quirk their examiner has.
I think the CPNE is a lousy set up even though I passed.
I passed the CPNE a year ago. It was stressful, but it was doable. I agree that you could get a CE that was really picky...although this was not my case. Study and do your best...its a roll of the dice.
Depends on how well you do at the CPNE. The minimum would be 3. Two adults and one peds. If you fail a PCS you get one try on adult and one on a peds...so the max would be 5.
Nascar nurse, ASN, RN
2,218 Posts
Just another opinion for you... I also thought the entire process was exactly what the study guide said it would be. You will absolutely have to have the critical elements memorized and you absolutely have to have your nerves under control. Maybe I just got lucky, all the CE's I dealt with were wonderful, almost like grandmotherly types. Passed everything first try. I did get stuck with one man that tried very hard to make life difficult, but still managed to finish on time. Good luck, you can do this!!