Lynn's CPNE workshop Dallas

TraciRN · Jan 23, 2008

Come on guys we can do this! Don't get overwhelmed you have 7 months to perfect (or more LOL)! Pactice till its perfect and then practice more. We are so close. Txspade congrats on the update! WE CAN WE WILL!!!!! This time nxt year you could be a RN.:w00t:

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 23, 2008

from what i can gather this is a very complex weekend, more complex then what i ever anticipated . i stopped in the middle of l this class and told myself there is no way i can do all of this. i must say that anyone who says a ec grad is not up to par needs to salt those words and eat them. i don't know any rn that practices this thoroughly . when was the last time you put a barrier between clipboard and the bedside table in order to prevent germ transmission...are ya kidding me. ok, i digress and go with the flow here. i will report back and let you know about day 2.......

the best way around this is to keep your pcs sheet in your pocket.

another tip: don't put the graduated container on the floor when you empty a f/c. they will fail you for this.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 23, 2008

thanks for the tip. i wish ec would make this more like reality.

the best way around this is to keep your pcs sheet in your pocket.
another tip: don't put the graduated container on the floor when you empty a f/c. they will fail you for this.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 23, 2008

Gulp...I just got off work and all I could think about as I drove home was the CPNE. It gave me a sick feeling inside. I was trying to picture it and all I kept thinking to myself was are they expecting us to perform like an RN after 12 weeks of preceptorship or like and RN before preceptorship.

Like a first-day new grad who has had clinicals. Don't stress yourself over this ... I used to get the same feeling -- that sick lurch in the gut -- but one day, it was like I flipped a switch in my head, and I just KNEW that I could do this, that I *WILL* do this. It's as much in your head as it is in your performance. Just DECIDE that you WILL do this. I keep trying to prod myself to see if I can make myself nervous about it, and I can't. LOL. I'm sure I'll be freaking out when the time comes, but only quietly, and inside. I don't feel cocky; I just feel like I can do it.

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 23, 2008

thanks for the tip. i wish ec would make this more like reality.

i know it seems difficult- they are following the ana standards of care to a tee. but, this is very do-able. you can do it. the key is to do everything the way they want you to. just remember to wash your hands every time you touch the patient (even if you have gloves on), place nothing on the bed, nothing on the floor, and nothing on the bedside table that doesn't belong to the patient.

you'll be fine- just take a deep breath, and keep on studying that carjack!

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 24, 2008

after day two i feel better. things seem to have come together some. i still am confused on the paper work somewhat but will learn. i have quite a bit of time to practice and feel confident that i can conquer this nasty weekend . i will practice, practice, practice and then re-take lynn's workshop to smooth over my rough edges. many people have passed this thing and i will too...

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Jan 24, 2008

Tx, if you get the CPNE DVD, it'll help to bring everything together. I highly recommend it. Another helpful thing to do is to make some copies of your PCS sheets, and use data from your patients at work to practice doing these (sans identifying info, of course). Pick several areas of care to focus on, and go from there.

tom-from-texas · Jan 25, 2008

i attended lynn's cpne workshop in dallas this week too.

i learned lots of stuff from it and plan to retake it when i actually get near my cpne date. one of the big things i learned from her workshop is to make sure you have a plan of attack for the cpne weekend.

go in with lots of practice on the labs, know your critical elements and be ready to write care plans that will hold up. they don't have to be a complex one, but just a simple one that fits.

lynn did not seem like a slave driver to me. i left around 8:00 p.m. the first day.... :-) she did not tie me to a table to keep me from leaving, she just wants to make sure you are prepared the best she can in two days.

i met another student that is from denton tx and we plan to get together and practice one lab skill, one area of care, and writing a care plan. we hope to work at this once a week for the next 20 weeks. now, if we can really make that happen, we should both be able to pass our cpne without paying $1800 twice.

tom

EricJRN, MSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

Hang in there, guys! I want to let you know that life really is great standing on the other side of this thing. When it's over, you'll be glad you did it.

One thing that helped me to remain (somewhat) calm was to have a mantra that I repeated to myself in times of stress that weekend. The first day that I got to Amarillo, I went to a Chinese restaurant and my fortune said, "You are competent, confident, cool and collected." It seemed like such appropriate timing, even if I did have trouble believing it at first.

Feel free to steal my self-affirmation above, or come up with your own. It sounds silly, but I swear it helped me. Controlling your own nerves is what will prevent you from moving too quickly and breaking sterile field or forgetting a critical element.

txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN · Jan 25, 2008

funny you should mention a chinese restaurant. one my first day (during my workshop) i went to a chinese place to eat at lunch. i normally would not open the fortune cookie but did in this case. it read " you will soon be confronted with unlimited opportunities" . i also have two mantra's ...one i have posted in my signature line "i will be a rn" . i also have it posted everywhere for me to see . the other deals with the cpne and my need to pass this thing..

there is no option for failing

there is no option for error

you will pass this thing

because i believe in myself and my abilities

because i have poured my heart into this profession

i will be a rn

this really worked for me during my workshop when i just felt like falling out.. anyway it may be corny but it is the way i feel about where i have been and where i am going....

hang in there, guys! i want to let you know that life really is great standing on the other side of this thing. when it's over, you'll be glad you did it.
one thing that helped me to remain (somewhat) calm was to have a mantra that i repeated to myself in times of stress that weekend. the first day that i got to amarillo, i went to a chinese restaurant and my fortune said, "you are competent, confident, cool and collected." it seemed like such appropriate timing, even if i did have trouble believing it at first.
feel free to steal my self-affirmation above, or come up with your own. it sounds silly, but i swear it helped me. controlling your own nerves is what will prevent you from moving too quickly and breaking sterile field or forgetting a critical element.

BetterMeRN · Jan 26, 2008

I know it seems difficult- they are following the ANA Standards of Care to a tee. But, this is very do-able. You can do it. The key is to do everything the way they want you to. Just remember to wash your hands every time you touch the patient (even if you have gloves on), place nothing on the bed, nothing on the floor, and nothing on the bedside table that doesn't belong to the patient.
You'll be fine- just take a deep breath, and keep on studying that carjack!

I hope the site I choose has those alcohol based foams that everytime you walk into the patients room it can be used. At the facility where I work we use this instead of hand washing. It's used before and after touching the patient.

Editorial Team / Moderator · Jan 26, 2008

I hope the site I choose has those alcohol based foams that everytime you walk into the patients room it can be used. At the facility where I work we use this instead of hand washing. It's used before and after touching the patient.

Yeah, we have those at work, too ... I love 'em! Even though they're alcohol-based, they don't seem to dry my hands out as much as soap/water. My hands are SO dry right now ... ugh. I still tend to wash my hands often, but I use the foam when I'm on the run! :)