Failed CPNE 1st try

[nancyerun]

I just joined allnurses today! I heard from a friend this site was a great source of information for insight into the CPNE. I failed CPNE in Albany late fall. I thought for sure prepared until I got to testing site. Then my nerves took over my body and my mind! I am a nervous person already, but have worked on myself over the last couple of years with yoga and spiritual practices and thought I had better control over it. Everything went out the window during the weekend! Once I failed one PCS for a stupid reason my confidence plummeted and I started on a downhill spiral being unable to stay in the moment.

After a month of recovering, I am trying to figure out a plan of action to get myself prepared for the next time. I have found Sheri Taylors's website and have read some positive feedback on her web workshops. Looking to see if anyone has any advise as to how to prepare for 2nd attempt.

I took a 1 day excelsior workshop (way to early) and I also to an excelsior care plan workshop (also 5 months prior to testing). I am concerned with the wait time for retesting and starting too early. I feel I do need to get started as everything I have studied will be forgotten. I reapplied for CPNE over 1 month ago and have not gotten a new test date yet, worried that it may take another 6 months or more. Looking to see if anyone out there has any advice:) Thanks

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

Welcome to allnurses! So sorry you weren't successful with your first CPNE attempt. I have moved your post to the Excelsior forum so others can share wisdom with you. :) I know many excellent nurses who had to take it twice. But now you know what to expect, and maybe that will help you next time.

[Nalon1 RN/EMT-P, BSN, RN]

Sorry you did not pass on your first attempt. Don't let it get you down, it is a very hard test and many have failed and come back to pass. Nerves get many people with it. I think it is more of a mental issue that skills in many cases.

I used RobsCPNE.com and the Excelsior's study guide and passed on the first try (still not sure how). I found he laid things out in a simple way and gives the basics of what you need to do to pass. It is what I needed to pass and recommend it to anyone who asks. Plus it is only like $90.

[nancyerun]

Thank you, I have not heard of that one but will investigate RobsCPNE.com. í ½í¸Š

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Lovely nerves. I passed years ago, back in '89 but I know for one thing that hasn't changed is the stress. You have to keep calm. I really don't think you can prepare too much. Write and rewrite those care plans and practice the lab and as many patients as you can. If you really know the stuff, the hope is your brain will go on auto pilot and get you through the stressful parts.

The plus of failing is you already know what to expect. That's going to work in your favor. :)