Curious about Excelsior CPNE exam

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I was looking through theExcelsior AS/ RN program and noted that Excelsior mentions the pass rate for this exam( CPNE ) is 61% in 04-05. That does not seem too good. I am wondering if you are expected to need to take it twice ?

Is it too hard? or are the prep materials they sell not good enough. This number makes me very curious that there is a substantial reason for this low pass rate. Any info from prior takers? thank you

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I think part of the problem contributing to the low pass rate is that this is an extremely nerve-wracking event. While I think most of the CPNE staff try to be nice, it's not uncommon for students to report lack of appetite, insomnia and nausea. You pay quite a bit of money (I think around $1600 now), wait and wait to get it scheduled, knowing that if you fail you have to go home and tell all of your friends, pay again, and wait at least a couple of more months before getting another chance to continue with your nursing career. The nursing care tested on the exam is pretty routine, but with all of that at stake, who wouldn't be nervous?

Luckily, I passed the CPNE on my first opportunity. I did, however, have to repeat one of my patient care situations. While performing a neuro exam on an obtunded patient, I simply forgot to assess my pt's pupils. Now, I'm an EMT, so if there's one piece of equipment that I should be able to whip out reflexively, it's a penlight. :) But somehow, under those circumstances, I just plain forgot.

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Specializes in ER.

I passed all of mine on the first try. It can be done.

I suggest attending EC's own prep course. Two years ago, they had a two-day CPNE prep and a one-day Nursing Skills course. They were taught following each other.

Good Luck!

Chip

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my sister just took the boards and if she does not pass i will pass this information on to her. i have a problem getting started, i can't seem to pass the first test, i am studying the book, excellsior study guide, and lisa's notes. i've been an lpn since 92 so i know my stuff. or the basic i am a hospital nurse. if any one out there has any study guides, tips tudors or anything elso that will help please send it my way i will be an rn before i am threw. god is on my side i just need my angel with me.

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You may get more responses if you start another thread, since this one is related to the CPNE, not the NC exams.

Good luck!

my sister just took the boards and if she does not pass i will pass this information on to her. i have a problem getting started, i can't seem to pass the first test, i am studying the book, excellsior study guide, and lisa's notes. i've been an lpn since 92 so i know my stuff. or the basic i am a hospital nurse. if any one out there has any study guides, tips tudors or anything elso that will help please send it my way i will be an rn before i am threw. god is on my side i just need my angel with me.
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Where and when do you get these mneumonics everyone is taking about?

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ropernurse

Send an email to anticoagulationurse and she will email to you a ton of study material. Check out her thread about the CPNE where she makes this offer. This thread is currently on the today's posts pages.

Also join the study groups on yahoo. Many of them have study materials in the files sections of their sites.

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Specializes in ER, Occupational.

I took the CPNE in January and breezed through without having to retest a single thing. I think the main factors are the huge amount of stress involved (test is up to $1725 now and the long waiting list so you know if you have to retake, you'll be waiting a while) and just being prepared. I studied my butt off--you have to know the particular criteria that they will be watching for like the back of your hand. I didn't find it particularly difficult, just stressful--but I was the only one that passed out of 5 students that week. The week before I tested, they had 7 students, and they all passed. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me--I just took the test, so it's fresh in my mind. Also, I do feel that the prep materials are decent.

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What is the Excelsior CPNE exam? I

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I took the CPNE in January and breezed through without having to retest a single thing. I think the main factors are the huge amount of stress involved (test is up to $1725 now and the long waiting list so you know if you have to retake, you'll be waiting a while) and just being prepared. I studied my butt off--you have to know the particular criteria that they will be watching for like the back of your hand. I didn't find it particularly difficult, just stressful--but I was the only one that passed out of 5 students that week. The week before I tested, they had 7 students, and they all passed. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me--I just took the test, so it's fresh in my mind. Also, I do feel that the prep materials are decent.

any advice on fluid management? old notes or mnuemonics? working with ivs is really nerve racking for me, i take the cpne in jan. (albany) any information that anyone has would be greatly apreciated, thanks in advance

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Shopgirl, go into Distance Learning. There's a sticky at the top from me, I took the Excelsor Workshop, with a lot of mnemonics. There's another sticky, Note from an Excelsior Grad."

There's a LOT in info on the CPNE there.

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