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Discussion

how long to prepare for CPNE?

I know I am a ways away from this, but I'm wondering how long all of you EC grads took to prepare for this exam. I'm also wondering what your take on it was...not as bad as you thought? Horrible? I think 3 months might be a good amount of time to prepare and practice different skills. What's your take?? I'm not worried about the nursing exams at all, this is the only thing I'm stressed about. I'm thr type that tens to get nervous under pressure. The care plan writing I will be fine with, it's the "did I miss a step?" I think I'll be talking to myself outloud the entire time like a lunatic!! :p But hey, whatever works right??? I also have to thank all of you for being so supportive, this is really a great forum and I'm sure it has helped many people pass having such a great group of fellow nurses/students to rely on. It's always nice to talk to someone who has "been there, done that" :redpinkhe

I would not have known about EC if not for this website!!! So happy I stumbled upon it one day:D

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    Most people take 4 months. I know one girl who did it in 3 weeks. Passed with no repeats and took no workshops. She was a 50% completer of an RN program. Someone else I stumbled upon did it in 6 weeks....I'm doing it in 2 months and working a very limited amount of time. I test in a month and am not working until it's done.

    It's like nothing you've never prepared for. I thought I was good at care plans too, but I'm having issues here and there. And all it takes is 'one issue' at the CPNE and you failed the PCS. I'm also struggling big time with the labs. Things I've done and worked with for the past 10 years are finding ways to trip me up. It has made me take a step back and evaluate every thing I do in my current practice. You can't make one wrong step while you're there. I'm trying to be confident, but at the same time I'm very realistic about the possibility of a negative outcome.

    I know you want to think ahead, but don't worry about it until you're there and don't underestimate the nursing exams!! I got real cocky with them and failed one! It was a huge blow to my ego!

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    I waited 4months for a test date, then waited 2 more months to test. Honestly I have never been so scared or nervous in my life! I did pass with no repeats. The CEs really are nice and comforting. As long as you know your mneumonics and know how to make a basic careplan you are going to be ok. I talked outloud while I was doing my steps. Its good to do this. I also had my grid in the room and would go down the list and check them off as I go, so I wouldnt forget anything. I started studing once I got my test date, then really started cramming the week of. Yes I was scared and nervous, but by day 3, I was 100% confident. The CPNE is VERY doable!!!

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    • Expert

    No length of time is too long when you pass and no length of time is too short when you don't pass!

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    I started preparing at the end of January. I'm hoping to get a date in May. I'm a little afraid to ask for something earlier, as I work night shift and can't afford to take time off until the workshop (which I haven't decided on yet) and the CPNE itself.

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    • Moderator

    I applied in November 2007, didn't get my date until April 2008 -- yes, really, it took 5 months to get a date from MPAC "back in the day," LOL. :D (I'm kidding, that wasn't that long ago, but there was a huge backlog at the time, I guess.) My "ready" date was anything after May 31, 2008 because I had a workshop scheduled for the end of may, plus I spent November through January finishing Micro and two CLEPs (Sociology and Human Growth and Development) before I focused on my CPNE studies. I half-studied/half-goofed off in February (needed a small break!), then really buckled down in March-April-May to study.

    By the way, I verbalized throughout my entire CPNE. It was something I learned in my many paramedic practical exams, and it's my level of comfort to babble during exams like this. I did warn my patients first that I'd be doing a lot of talking so that my "clinical instructor" (as we are asked to call the clinical examiner) would know that I knew what I was doing. It worked well.

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    It's all becoming a distant blur to me.

    Except for the actual weekend.

    I still have my EC CPNE flashcards on the floor next to my bed. It makes me smile every time I go to sleep to know I never have to flip through those again. I had something EC CPNE in my hands almost 24/7 until I passed. Even at the test site I was constantly going through the mnemonics. I believe I received my test date in May for Sept. I also had 3 more gen. ed. to complete. 2 before the CPNE and 1 after.

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    I've been thinking about this a lot too. I'm the type who studies better with a close deadline so I might try to push myself to take it sooner. I'm debating about taking a workshop or not, but since I really haven't looked at any of the CPNE material I can't say yet. I would love to take the CPNE in July, so if I apply at the end of March I think that's realistic. I can't believe how close that is!!

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    MegRT, I didnt take a workshop and passed the cpne with no repeats. If you cant afford a workshop, like me, I suggest getting lyns lab dvd and Robs AOC dvd. They show you exactly what to do. I also used robs mneumonics. They are easier to remember.

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    9 months, I did it in sections, towards the end I was submerged into CPNE, I BECAME THE CPNE MACHINE!

    NO REPEATS!

    Wish you much luck!

    gail

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    anyone taking the cpne in Albany on 4-30-10?

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