For those who had to repeat the CPNE...

NotMyProblem MSN, ASN, BSN, MSN, LPN, RN · Feb 5, 2013

I was just curious if those of you who had to repeat the CPNE did anything different the second time around. Normally, if you aren't successful you change the habits that lead you to that result but I can't think of anything more I can do that I didn't do. I felt and still feel prepared so I'm at a loss.
So what did y'all do differently the second time around (if anything)? How much did you study for your repeat? Did you study the same, more, or less than you did for the first time you took it?
Thanks!

I didn't have to repeat the CPNE, Thank GOD! But I have an EXCELLENT resource to help you identify where you may have gone wrong. If interested, PM me and I will give you her name and number. I was so nervous while she was training us that I couldn't even practice at all. But I paid attention to what she was saying, went in and passed the CPNE first time around....thanks to her, and even SHE didn't even feel I was ready to test because I couldn't overcome my nerves at her house. But I was like a different person in the hospital.....very comfortable there. Whatever you decide or however you regroup, I wish you success on what hopes to be your final attempt! :up:

Songbird,RN · Feb 5, 2013

I passed on the first time, but only with the help of Sheri Taylor. Find her easily on the internet. She has 98-99% pass rate!!!!!

Grapenut · Feb 5, 2013

What part did you not pass? I would focus on that. I passed the first time. Rob's CPNE helped me know what I was walking into, but you already know because you've been there. But his study guides helped me as well. You can Google him. I spent several months prior to testing memorizing the critical elements--Rob's CPNE will help you with this using mnemonics - I can't stress enough how that got me through. He has a DVD you can order. Practicing the care plan process also put me over the top. I went to one of Excelsior's seminars when it came to town that sort of simulated the CPNE. But I spent a lot of money on it and it didn't help me much. Like the other poster said, when I was there that day I was so disoriented that one of the instructors asked me " do you really think you're ready for this???" But I was an LPN on a med-surg floor for 4 years already, and once I got to the actual CPNE in the hospital I was very comfortable in the environment and relaxed as soon as I got in the room with the patient. And I had memorized the critical elements using Rob's mnemonics, knew how to write a care plan and assess the outcomes. I had studied the Study Guide front to back several times, knew how to do everything according to the standards they were looking for (which are outlined in the Study Guide). If you take the time to do all that you can pass this. It's basic stuff, nothing hard. Study the Study Guide. It tells you everything you need to know. And get Rob's CPNE study guide. About $40. Feel free to PM me if you have questions. Good luck.

delarmer · Feb 5, 2013

Is it told to you why you didn't pass?? Do the instructors tell u what you did wrong when one takes the CPNE??

tnmarie · Feb 5, 2013

Thanks for all of the advice so far. I'm really looking for advice from people who did not pass the first time as I have likely done everything prep-wise. I studied for four months for several hours a day, had a lab set up in my living room and did all labs every day for four months, turned in all 3 PCS scenarios to the school, wrote the school with questions every week and also did Sheri Taylor for two of the four months. This is not to count the detailed notes I took on the recommended meds, nursing diagnoses etc or all my care planning practice and grid drills. I had a wreck in Syracuse and was not really in any shape to take the CPNE but didn't want to lose the testing fee (plus I was already there, and at least wanted to TRY). I'm sure that is why I did not pass after all of my hard work, but I'm still seeking out experiences and advice from those who weren't successful on their first attempt to see how they approached their second attempt.

On a happy note, it seems like most everyone passes the second time around, even the ones who admit they didn't really prepare well for the first time.

@ delarmer: Yes, they tell you what you fail and why.

Thanks again for all of the advice so far!

Edit: As far as reading the study guide, I read it cover to cover 4 times total, not counting taking certain areas and studying them seperately.

Erikadawn RN · Feb 5, 2013

I did not pass my first time, and then returned a few months later and passed with no repeats. What I did I focused on the things I had trouble on, such as I never had to take manual BP since nursing school, in my work we automatics and the medical assistants did them. So on o e of my pcs, I did not have an accurate BP among other mistakes. When I returned back to work I told the ma, that any BP I would take. I kept a manual cuff and stethoscope on me at all times. At the time I worked in corrections, so any patient I saw I immediately checked their I'd with the chart. I knew who the majority was, because I gave them meds or insulin on a daily basis. I just explained that I was studying for my clinical test and they quieted down. I did it every pt every time. I also continued with my mnemonics and grid, I know these like the back of my hand. I even ran of copies with the letters and then filled the mnemonics in. WIGASS then I would fill it in, I did this at least 10x a day or night. I did pcs on my family at least once a day before going to bed. Then I would lay down and think of my pcs that I failed and I would correct it in my mind. Labs, labs, labs. I kicked butt the second time around, I left the hospital by 9:30 on Sunday morning. But before I left I mentored students who were failing, because that is what someone did for me when I failed my first time, and it enabled me to want to come back the second time. Last, I did not tell any one at work the second time, just took the days off and came back a GN, took off so much stress.Good luck you can do it!

Erikadawn RN · Feb 5, 2013

I forgot care plans, learn how to do them very quickly, and have a set ones that you can use in almost any pcs. Risk for injury is always a great one, because any one can get injured in the hospitals.