How long did it take you to get through EC?

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

Just wondering for those of you either finished or midway through the EC program how long has it taken and how many tests did you need to complete/will you complete.

I have to take A&P, Micro, NC1, NC3, NC4, NC5, NC6, NC7 (i think thats all..lol) and i'm starting with A&P...just wondering if my goal to finish in 15 months with all my tests is do-able or not? I know i will still have the CPNE to complete as well, but i just want to at least get all my testing done while my hubby is deployed. :confused::confused::confused:

How did or are you doing it???

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

If you are not counting the CPNE, then yes, you can definitely get it done in that amount of time. Many, many people have!

I started with my first two tests in 08/07, then one in 09/07. I took a few months off to finish some courses at the local University. I resumed with tests in 04/08 and finished them in 05/08 (4 of 'em in 6 weeks). I'm now twiddling my thumbs waiting for my CPNE date. Good luck!

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

6 months and 24 days to take all the new curriculum nursing exams plus 2 retakes(got a "D'"). Started first test Nov 1,2007 and finished last test May 24, 2008.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

Why not do NC 1-7 first and save A&P and Micro for the long CPNE wait? I am finishing my concept exams next month,I will apply for the CPNE,then I will complete my last 2 gen ed classes while I wait.:D

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Specializes in Home Health, Podiatry, Neurology, Case Mgmt.

OMG i can do that!!! Ok so i may just go ahead and start the NC1 then..lol...i thought you had to have EVERYTHING completed before CPNE...thanks for that info, guess i got side tracked there a little bit!

TASHA:yeah:

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
OMG i can do that!!! Ok so i may just go ahead and start the NC1 then..lol...i thought you had to have EVERYTHING completed before CPNE...thanks for that info, guess i got side tracked there a little bit!

TASHA:yeah:

You have to have all your nursing concepts done and be within 10 or 11 credit hours from completing the program before you can sign up for the CPNE.

My only reservation that I have with your situation is the FCCA will probably be available before you finish unless you fly through all the exams. In your situation I would take Health care safety and maybe Microbiology before you pay the enrollment fee because if you don't finish all the exams plus the CPNE before a year of enrollment, then you have to cough up the yearly $495 enrollment fee.

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

i did all my concepts test in 4 months but it has been 7 months since i completed and still don't have the money together for the cpne. should be able to apply in the next week or so... money is tight here...

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Specializes in pulm/cardiology pcu, surgical onc.

I enrolled in January, took the exams in 2 months, and am scheduled for CPNE Aug 1st. I still have the FCCA, a humanities course and literacy info but will do that after CPNE.

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

I completed the CPNE one year, one month, and one day after my first exam ... I took A&P on May 14, 2007, and completed the CPNE on June 15, 2008. :D I completed enough exams to be CPNE-eligible in mid-October, applied for the CPNE in early November, and completed Micro and two CLEPs (Human Growth & Development and Introductory Sociology) while I waited for my CPNE.

One bit of advice, though -- don't sacrifice your CPNE study time at the expense of finishing some classes while you're waiting. I wanted at least four months of solid, nothing-but-CPNE study. It worked well for me. :)

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Specializes in FNP/WHNP.

I have to agree with Lunah. Studying for the CPNE needs all your attention! It's almost a 24/7 study binge. I took my time with all the tests -14 months. Applied for the CPNE on a Monday and got a call from the scheduler on Thursday and set it up 17 weeks from then. This was 4 years ago.

I absolutely needed all that time to study (possibly could have done with more time, LOL) as I worked on the book anywhere from 1 to 3hrs a day. Had a schedule and tried to stick to it. I went to an EC workshop, but like someone said in another thread, there were way too many people there! 22 in my class. It did, however validate that I was performing the labs correctly.

In the end I educated myself out of a job (clinic only hired LPN's) but of course the RN opened so many other doors.

Good luck with your journey.

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Specializes in LTC, Acute Care.

As I understand it, you can have the yearly fee applied to the graduation fee if you finish the tests within one year and apply for the CPNE within that year. Most people have no humanly way to complete all these things within a year, so if you pass the CPNE, apparently you can request that your monies be diverted.

I also wanted to get all the tests out of the way before CPNE study. It's a long wait, but I like being out of the testing mode and into the "clinical" mode.

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Studying for the CPNE needs all your attention! It's almost a 24/7 study binge.

It didn't just NEED all my attention; it totally TOOK all my attention! Almost involuntarily! LOL!! If I wasn't physically looking at or working with flashcards/study guide/lab stuff, I was mentally chanting my mnemonics to myself and THINKING about the CPNE! It took over my life! I had dreams about the CPNE, too. Nutty. My husband is SO glad I'm done! :D

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