fcca, cpne& boards

tnmarie · Mar 27, 2013

If you are finishing the FCCA at the end of June, you will be lucky to have your CPNE date by September, depending on where you apply. Even if you miraculously got a date earlier, you will need ample time to prepare. If you are one of the 61% to pass the CPNE the first time, you *might* be able to sit for your boards by December, if you land and pass the September CPNE date. The time to sit for your boards after passing the CPNE varies widely from state to state, but the earliest I've heard of was a couple of months out from passing the CPNE. If things line up just so, you might only be waiting to take the boards by your birthday. Unfortunately, you are to the "hurry up and wait" portion of the ASN program and things vary widely depending on the RPAC you test, your state etc. I would be very surprised if you get to sit for your RN before the first of next year.

I finished the FCCA last October and here I still am...

Good luck!

reebokHCFR, MSN, EMT-P, APRN, NP · Mar 29, 2013

have you seen the study guide at all? I think when you start looking through the 550+ pages you will probably set your sights for your birthday...in 2014. I finished the classes in two months, then studied for the cpne for 6 months (partly due to the suckiness of the people of spac) but I couldn't imagine doing it less than 4 months of study time. and that's every single day. and even then the cpne is impossible imho.

natnat122 · Mar 29, 2013

I think when you start looking through the 550+ pages you will probably set your sights for your birthday...in 2014. .

OMG!! Nooo don't say that!! So long bwaahaahaaa! :no:

natnat122 · Mar 29, 2013

If you are finishing the FCCA at the end of June, you will be lucky to have your CPNE date by September..I finished the FCCA last October and here I still am...

Man.. Well thanks for the reality check!!

tnmarie · Mar 29, 2013

Don't get too discouraged. I tested the first weekend in February and was one of the almost 40% who fail the CPNE the first time. Had I passed the CPNE my first attempt, I might have had my RN by the end of summer...MAYBE.

I'm still waiting to hear from someone who took the new FCCA format and has their RN. I've heard of one person who did the FCCA in October like me and she passed her CPNE this past weekend. She might have her RN by the end of summer. So that will be like 8-9 months after completing the FCCA. The point is that once you finish your ECEs, you are in for a wait!

ssalulu · Mar 30, 2013

Ill give you my timeline. I finished the new FCCA this past October, took the CPNE in February, and will be graduating in a few weeks. I'm hoping to take the NCLEX the end of April or beginning of May.

medictorninfl32 · Mar 30, 2013

I passed FCCA (new format- took both classes at same time) in August 2012, took my CPNE in December and passed- 1st time, officially graduated Feb 15, 2013 and took and passed NCLEX March 13th, 2013 and I start in the ER as an RN April 8th!! Don't be discouraged- it CAN be done- I recommend Sheri Taylor's workshop- she is a life saver- did online and went to onsite in Atlanta on Oct 2012- couldn't have done it without her!! It's all about practice, practice, practice!!!!

ctcpete · May 9, 2013

Congrats medic. So it is possible to do the 2 FCCAs at once? I can't see spending an extra 8 weeks to do them one at a time. I know we can't talk about the tests I just was wondering how hard it is to do them simultaneously.

Medic625 · May 9, 2013

Ctcpete,

It is absolutely possible to do both fcca's at the same time. And honestly, even if you fail one you're no worse than if you only took one. Plus it'll save you 8+ weeks if you pass both at the same time.

ctcpete · May 10, 2013

Thanks Medic. Actually that is great advice. If I failed one I would have the original time frame of taking them separately..that's brilliant..never thought of it like that. I assume I would have to pay again for the failed course? Even so, I'm rolling the dice. I want this to be so done so badly.

Thank you again.

ctcpete · May 10, 2013

Thanks Medic625. Actually that is great advice. If I failed one I would have the original time frame of taking them separately..that's brilliant..never thought of it like that. I assume I would have to pay again for the failed course? Even so, I'm rolling the dice. I want this to be so done so badly.

Thank you again.