Excelsior CPNE Help

docbkh · Aug 24, 2009

I passed my first CPNE attempt in Utica. Here are the main things that helped me make it happen...

- Rob's CPNE video & mnemonics (best study aid for your investment... USE IT!!)

- review the CPNE posts here... everyone has something unique to share (experience and/or study aids)

- I found the (Excelsior's) online documentation and nursing plans courses to be very helpful

- the CPNE workshop (Excelsior's) helped clarify what they expected throughout the CPNE, and provided live evaluation (not much education) of your skills... but they are helpful if you're shaky. (I also used this workshop to test my prep for creating an ideal environment for my R&R during my CPNE weekend... really helped!)

- create a schedule/routine to practice skills, study your mnemonics, review notes, etc... don't procrastinate, do know what the study guide outlines "to know"

I hope that I helped a bit. Good luck!!

billythekid · Aug 25, 2009

I am in need of any advice, HELP with how to be successful with my upcoming CPNE test with Excelsior. Very nervous, am better at studying and taking written test. I am very confident with clinical after I have done certain tasks several times. Work in MR LTC currently. Thanks in advance.
PS: Are the training courses offered to help you with CPNE $400?? worth money?? KP

I went the expensive route, but it payed off when I passed CPNE first time around. :yeah:

About 2 months before I was scheduled to take the CPNE, I went to EC workshop in Albany. I guess it was ok, but you really had to be done with preparation to really make the most of the workshop. As another poster mentioned, there really was no 'teaching', but rather a 'brainstorming' session of nursing diagnoses for different scenarios with two instructors and 22 students. The skills practice was very informal, and of course, one or two people were allowed to monopolize the Q&A during the skills breakout sessions. Honestly, 10 people crammed around each of the sterile wound stations was not my idea of simulating testing conditions. Leaving the workshop, I felt I was less prepared to take the CPNE b/c I learned how much I didn't know about the test. (As I mentioned above, if I was CPNE-ready, my perception of the workshop might have been different.)

Two weeks before the CPNE, I went to the Chancellor's CPNE prep located in Indiana. The program cost the same as the Excelsior workshop, and to me the two programs were like night and day. The prep class was Mon-Fri. The first 2 days covered all the didactics... Careplans, Nursing Dx, assessment mnemonics, etc.. and the Wednesday involved utilizing 'the grid', as well as covering skills stations. Thursday involved integrating Careplans & physical assessments, and Dx into the patient scenarios, and Friday was exclusively CPNE simulation with individual review of your performance. Even better, there were 6 people in my class to the one instructor. When skills were practiced, there were 2 instructors present. Overall, Chancellor's was an incredible value, and I credit this prep class with boosting my competency, allowing me to cruise thru the CPNE. (It amazes me Chancellor's can offer 30-35 hours of practice for six students for $800 each (6:1 class, 3:1 skills) while EC charged $800 x 22 students for about 20-25 hrs with a 10:1 ratio). Of course, depending on where you live, travelling to Indiana can become expensive (for me, roundtrip flight, rental car, hotel), whereas going to the nearest EC workshop may only involve driving and hotel. IMO, better to pay upfront and pass first time around!

Good luck!

Silverdragon102, BSN · Aug 25, 2009

Moved to the Distant learning forum, sure there are many threads on the CPNE

KBPN · Aug 26, 2009

Thanks to all who had time to reply. I will definitely listen and probably study then find a close workshop to help with jitters. I think money spent will be worth it. Are any of you guys going on for BSN?? How was your EC experience? Mine has been good, but long. Am taking my Foundations Test on Sept. 1 then onto apply for CPNE. Hope to test around Feb. waiting time right now is 5 months. Again, thanks, I will keep you guys posted and be asking for Help along the way, I'm sure. Good day to all.

lifecycle1898 · Aug 30, 2009

I left my website up. It's cpnex.blogspot.com. Best part is that it's free. I'd also recommend Tinas workshop in San Jose as well as EC workshop.

SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN · Aug 30, 2009

I wasn't nuts about the EC workshop. It was too many students and too crowded. There are several people who do workshops for less money. There have been threads about them.

Buy the flash cards!

Editorial Team / Moderator · Aug 31, 2009

I left my website up. It's cpnex.blogspot.com. Best part is that it's free. I'd also recommend Tinas workshop in San Jose as well as EC workshop.

Hey R, you know what's funny? A student posted on the EPN that she was directed to your site during a faculty phone call. Ha! You should charge EC some money for that, my friend. Call it a "consulting fee" or something.

docbkh · Aug 31, 2009

I left my website up. It's cpnex.blogspot.com. Best part is that it's free. I'd also recommend Tinas workshop in San Jose as well as EC workshop.

That's a nice looking site! I wish I had known about it BEFORE my CPNE! *sigh*

(...don't worry, I passed.)

chiromed0 · Sep 2, 2009

Take a workshop or two. Find other grads locally. Use Rob's videos. Google CPNE blog and there are people on the net who have compiled useful links. You have to practice the skills part to be able to pass. You need to complile a skills kit or buy one & set up a mini workshop in your house. Look at Youtube videos for cpne & nursing skills videos...tons of them there.

chiromed0 · Sep 2, 2009

Some of the workshops also sell videos. I've got Excelsiors ancient videos and they are helpful yet atrocious. But at least it's something. It's doubtful someone can just walk in an pass the CPNE w/o any idea of the format of the testing given the failure rate.