HELP! CPNE peds question?

LPN_2005/RN_10 · Dec 8, 2009

I tested at St.Joseph's Hospital in Milwaukee, WI and received no peds. The hospital rarely get peds since there's a huge Children's Hospital not too far away.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Dec 8, 2009

My peds patient was 79 years old. I tested in Mansfield in June 2008. Another person at my test site did have an infant patient, though. But consensus has largely been that babies are typically not so bad -- the clinical examiners seem to be more understanding and helpful when it comes to peds. No data to support it, but just my observation based on hearing CPNE experiences over the last few years.

RNandRRT · Dec 8, 2009

Babies are the best! They just lay there and let you do what you have to do. It's the 2 year old monsters that will be anyone's nightmare.

I might not be helping here.

Mine was an 11 y.o. s/p appendectomy with a post-op ileus with an NG tube.

Best of luck.

NurseSunshine25 · Dec 8, 2009

Thanks to all. I will just study up and do what I have to do.

caliotter3 · Dec 9, 2009

The only way to insure you don't get a baby for peds is to make sure you are in line to take your CPNE at a hospital where there are never peds patients. That may mean waiting longer for a date. With most of the hospitals, there is just the luck of the draw because they may or may not have access to peds patients at any point in time, whereas at other hospitals, there is an active peds department from which to draw patients. This is something you would address when you are deciding which hospitals to sign up for. I think there are many who would rather not have a baby for the CPNE if they can help it. One less parameter to have to prepare for. Good luck.

Baloney Amputation, BSN, LPN, RN · Dec 9, 2009

I tested in Racine, WI. Some of the testers with me received peds substitutes. Another tester had a teenager who was status post appendectomy. I, however, had a 5-week-old baby. Everything was easy as pie with him except the heart rate...

RNandRRT · Dec 9, 2009

The only way to insure you don't get a baby for peds is to make sure you are in line to take your CPNE at a hospital where there are never peds patients. That may mean waiting longer for a date. With most of the hospitals, there is just the luck of the draw because they may or may not have access to peds patients at any point in time, whereas at other hospitals, there is an active peds department from which to draw patients. This is something you would address when you are deciding which hospitals to sign up for. I think there are many who would rather not have a baby for the CPNE if they can help it. One less parameter to have to prepare for. Good luck.

that seems like so much more work than just taking care of the baby.

caliotter3 · Dec 9, 2009

that seems like so much more work than just taking care of the baby.

It just depends upon how badly this person wants to avoid doing peds patients. There are those who would be glad to be assured that they don't have to deal with the possibility. Right now, I would try to avoid just about all of the CPNE sites because I can't see getting on a plane in this kind of weather. I think that is scarier than the possibility of getting a baby for a patient!

RNandRRT · Dec 9, 2009

Gotta' love "ole' man winter". :snowflake: :snowman:

NC Girl BSN · Dec 9, 2009

Faxton St Lukes in Utica NY rarely has peds. I got a 88 yrs old sedated pt as my peds substitute.

jlrevis · Dec 11, 2009

It does really depend on where you are going. I hear a lot of people practice on animals to get the HR down. I also recommend tapping your figure along with the HR to keep count. I am probably the only person that is not nervous of getting a baby, but I worked in peds for 4yrs and now work in L&D/Mother baby now. They really are easy. The other thing is what time of year you go, if you go in the winter, you chances are higher with RSV, Flu, etc around. Well good luck! I wouldn't worry about the small stuff, just pray and maybe you won't get a hard child. I agree, the 15mos up to 4yrs are the hard ones! They don't like anyone unless it is their parents!