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?
well, speaking from personal experience, you can get a difficult patient, with a condescending and rude ce. this happened to me in pcs #2. all other pcs's, the ce's were nice, and the patients assignments were reasonable. none however, offered any sort of hints, though i've heard that many will. what this means is you are essentially allowed to make zero mistakes in a pcs area, or you've failed the cpne, and you've got to put your life on hold and wait for another one. keep in mind that you're as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, and then you get assigned to count an apical pulse on a patient in a-fib who has just had a cabbage, has every health problem you can imagine, needs to go to the bathroom as soon as you walk into the room, is slow as molasses, you've got to wipe her bottom for her, etc. combine this with a rude ce on a power trip, and you aren't going to pass this one. for example, two people counting an apical pulse on a patient in a fib, and you're supposed to be within 5 beats? how can that be verified? it can't.
i wasn't allowed to use a clipboard, which made things a lot more difficult. although supposedly it is a standard test and you can use a clipboard anywhere, the rules are different from site to site, despite what excelsior college will tell you.
in retrospect, i think it is not the best way to test clinical skills. two people with identical skills could pass or fail, depending on the assignment and the ce. the luck of the draw is huge in this exam.
i'd say if you're an lpn with med-surge experience, you're at a huge advantage compared to others, such as paramedics. not that it's undoable, but you've got to realize it's a test like no other, and you cannot overstudy for this one.
Yes, Lpn experience does help you prepare for the CPNE. I did not have a med-surg background, but the LPN experience really helped. This test, to me, was fairly basic. I have read where others find it the luck of the draw on your examiners...however this was not the case for me. My CPNE was by the book precisely. The examiners weren't friendly nor were they cold. It all depends on where you go, your level of prep, and most likely the examiners. I do believe as some have said it does depend on the examiner. Just study and do your best.
I agree that there are some huge advantages for LPN's/LVN's on the CPNE. You likely deal with MAR's every day on the job, you probably know how to put a pt on a CPM machine (Man, what the heck is this thing?), and your organization of care/time management will probably be a little better than someone who is used to working with a respiratory or EMS (like me) perspective.
With that said, you can't go in being overconfident, because there are some things we probably don't think about in everyday practice that can fail you - taking an oral temp with no gloves, dropping and picking up your pen, etc. But if you're someone practice by the book for a weekend, then your previous nursing experience can come in very handy.
" 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.
and that is ec's weak link, i think. i have only the cpne and i'll be done, and i'm astounded that a school thinks that no supervised clinical experience is ok. surely there is a way to solve this problem.:caduceus:
I just got back from a workshop and it isn't that the CPNE is difficult, it is that it is pass with 100% accuracy or fail. There is no 95% correct, or 99% correct. Also, if you have been nursing in the real world, you have picked up bad habits and forgotten a lot of nursing 101 stuff. The CPNE is "best practice" and Excelsior supports best practice standards put out by JAHCO, CDC, and American Nurses Asso.
I'm really tired as I just drove home 7 hours after the workshop finished today. I'll post from my notes things that stand out as "fail" on the CPNE and maybe it will help.
I filed the CPNE this pas weekend. The instructors were awful!! I was wonderering if there is a waiting period to re-take?..I see that you only waited 32 days???
I failed a few weeks ago and I think it was a combination of things and definitely included nerves.
I do know that my first CE had a question and said, "Sometimes she'll (the CA) let it go."
That was not one of those days, and I never got to re-take a PCS because she failed me on IV push - said I was pushing too fast. Well, every RN I've spoken to was shocked that the way I was doing it was considered wrong.
So, whatever they say, there is some subjectivity to the examiners' approach. And now I know that and I'll psuh veeery slooowly.
The hard part is all the stress because there is soooooo little room for error. In spite of being an LPN and even a really good and experienced LPN, I see soooo many fail. Usually it is for things they would never ever do in a pt situation, such as, forgetting to wash their hands or forgetting to ID patient before giving meds. The stress is definitley the " big deal " with regards to the CPNE. Before I took it I did not realize how intense the stress was, even being prepared. Was it worth it? Yes! I had three semesters ( traditional ) clinical experience and 5 years as a lab tech and 4 years as an LPN before my CPNE not to mention additional clinical experience in LPN school. Still very :wtosts:by the CPNE.
Jasmine, it doesn't seem like it's changed too much! They did remove an area of care -- personal cleanliness -- so students won't be assigned a bedbath during the CPNE. :)
traumahawk99
596 Posts
well, speaking from personal experience, you can get a difficult patient, with a condescending and rude ce. this happened to me in pcs #2. all other pcs's, the ce's were nice, and the patients assignments were reasonable. none however, offered any sort of hints, though i've heard that many will. what this means is you are essentially allowed to make zero mistakes in a pcs area, or you've failed the cpne, and you've got to put your life on hold and wait for another one. keep in mind that you're as nervous as a cat on a hot tin roof, and then you get assigned to count an apical pulse on a patient in a-fib who has just had a cabbage, has every health problem you can imagine, needs to go to the bathroom as soon as you walk into the room, is slow as molasses, you've got to wipe her bottom for her, etc. combine this with a rude ce on a power trip, and you aren't going to pass this one. for example, two people counting an apical pulse on a patient in a fib, and you're supposed to be within 5 beats? how can that be verified? it can't.
i wasn't allowed to use a clipboard, which made things a lot more difficult. although supposedly it is a standard test and you can use a clipboard anywhere, the rules are different from site to site, despite what excelsior college will tell you.
in retrospect, i think it is not the best way to test clinical skills. two people with identical skills could pass or fail, depending on the assignment and the ce. the luck of the draw is huge in this exam.