Feeling overwhelmed today.

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

I don't know why, but I am really panicky today. All along, I've been studying and learning the CPNE bit by bit, but today I'm just staring at it all and can't seem to wrap my head around any of it. I'm easily distracted, read the same thing over and over again, and don't recall stuff I new yesterday. I don't know what's going on, but it needs to stop. I have a little over 60 days til my CPNE, and I don't know all of my mnemonics yet, and haven't gotten through an entire PCS yet. UGh. Has this happened to anyone else? How did you get over it?

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It happened to all of us. It's your brains way of saying, "please, just take 1 day off".

You've got plenty of time to go right back to it tomorrow, fresh.

Seriously.

Tomorrow afternoon, start right back with your mnemonics since that's where you know you're lagging. You'll do fine with a day off. LOL

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Lisa -

You'll be fine. I just got my mnemonics down and I don't even want to say when my test date is because it's so darn close! I wish I wouldn't have even announced it - anywhere!

What I realized is that the mnemonics were so easy for me to memorize because I spent hours pouring over the critical elements. It doesn't matter if I know the mnemonics (yes, it will be a GREAT check list and way to double check myself), but the critical elements are embedded in me (or so I hope!).

When I practice my PCS's, I finally realized that it's not so much the action of performing the assessments, it's the act of verbalizing them.

Trust me, you're way ahead of the ball game than most! I saw someone post on the EPN who tests the same weekend as me and just opened the study guide.

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Specializes in LTC/Behavioral/ Hospice.

You are both right. My brain just needed the rest is all. LOL. I'm back at it and seem to be going at a nice pace.

Erin, I can't imagine just starting to study when the CPNE is so close! I hope that person digs in and studies hard! I know you'll do fine because every time I read your post I say to myself "I can't wait until I'm as far along as she is!" LOL!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Trust me, you're way ahead of the ball game than most! I saw someone post on the EPN who tests the same weekend as me and just opened the study guide.

I know, I think my eyes just about came out of my head!! Ugh. I had a nightmare a few months before the CPNE that I woke up and found myself in Mansfield at the hotel, about to go to my first PCS and I was NOT ready! LOL.

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I know, I think my eyes just about came out of my head!! Ugh. I had a nightmare a few months before the CPNE that I woke up and found myself in Mansfield at the hotel, about to go to my first PCS and I was NOT ready! LOL.

What makes me jealous is people like that will find some way to pass. I know that's mean of me to say, but it's frustrating to hear of people who have studied for months and not get through this exam. Maybe they don't over think things? They don't let the stress get to them because they don't dwell on it as long as others? I can't figure it out! I'm not saying this is the case for everyone who does this type of preparation. I hate to see failure for anyone. I've been shocked to read some of the posts with people saying they've prepared in 1-3 weeks and been successful. I guess more power to them and they must be brilliant and have nerves of steel!

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Sometimes I think they pass by sheer dumb luck! LOL.

I know, I don't wish CPNE failure on anyone, but I agree with your frustration. I busted my tail to pass, and I know you have been, too. It's like when I'm driving in a blizzard, and I'm being oh-so-careful ... then some guy blows past me in a little Dodge Neon or something, going really fast. You know he's never going to crash, but if I drove like that, I'd be in the ditch. Some people just lead a charmed life!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

So true! When I was studying for the CPNE, there was a girl on the EPN that took the CPNE in 3 weeks after becoming eligible. She was so annoying because she asked simple questions literally every minute of the day. It was like she was trying to learn the CPNE through the board by reading cliff notes. In my mind I silently wished that she would not pass.(sorry,couldn't help it!) Then she went to the CPNE and claimed that she had the flu and felt terrible the whole time and passed.

I was not inspired or impressed with her story. Basically we recommend that no one try this tactic. She left the board bragging and we never saw her again.

I share this story to say, your studying is not invein. This experience will follow you beyond the CPNE. Everything I learned at the CPNE, I see aspects of it on my real job. I studied over the course if 6 months. I knew that studyguide and really understood the CPNE process and you will too!Good Luck to you!

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