exelsior grads:further clarification please?

[belle05]

I posted before about how do Excelsior clinicals go,and I dont think people understood my question.I already know that there is technically no clinicals,there is just the 2 day testing for the CPNE.

What I meant to ask was in order for me to PRACTICE the skills that I will be tested on for the CPNE,where can i find a facility to practice my skills on and most important,where would I find an instructor who would be able to teach me all these nursing skills inlcuding OB,PEds,etc. in Michigan?

Does Excelsior provide me a list of instructors and facilities to choose?I live in Michigan. Do I have to pay my instructor and the facility so I could practice those skills and how much?

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Belle, I don't think you're understanding the EC program. EC does not facilitate clinical instruction. As working healthcare providers, EC recognizes that its students have most of these skills already; we practice them every day. Have you started working as an LPN yet?

[LPN_2005/RN_10]

I've read your other posts and from what I understand, you've just graduated from the LPN program? Maybe you should first get a job as an LPN so you'll learn the basic skills (such as taking a manual bp and other vital signs and doing a head to toe assessment comfortably), as well as obtaining organizational skills, and being a little familiar with careplans and documentation.

There are various workshops that will prepare you for what to expect during the CPNE. But those workshops are only between 2-5 days long. You will still need to practice at home.

Below are some workshops that might help you. On this forum, you can find reviews of each workshop.

http://www.clinicalprepexam.com/

http://www.cheducation.com/

http://stressfreecpne.com/

http://www.cpneworkshop.com/

http://www.robscpne.com/ --> Rob have a dvd that you can watch and practice along with him at home. I didn't attend a workshop, but used his DVD and passed the CPNE.

Good luck!

[NC Girl BSN]

To piggyback off of what others have said, I was a new LPN when I started the RN program. I worked in LTC and practiced alot of the skills on the patients there. Once I got the studyguide, I practiced on my husband. The EC program is designed for professionals that have experience so your not gonna find clinical instructors to help with the CPNE. You can go to a 3-5 day workshop to figure out what EC want you to do during the CPNE. This program is not for everyone so If you need clinical guidance then you make want consider going the traditional route.

[caliotter3]

You provide your own practice for the CPNE. You can do this at home or you can do it on the job with the permission of your supervisor.

[elkpark]

The whole point and basic concept of the EC program is that it is the STUDENT'S responsibility to seek out the necessary information and learning experiences; EC doesn't provide or facilitate them -- they just validate that you have learned them.