My Latest EC TIP

[FocusRN]

Be forewarned I still haven't taken an exam, so I can only tell ya'll about what I "feel" like I have absorbed, and how I've done on non EC practice tests.

Okay so here it is, IMMERSION!

If you are able to. I am not working right now, so it has been pretty easy. I have been doing it this way for about two weeks. Eat, sleep, and breath EC. Also, while studying for NC1 I have also, been prepping for the CPNE. I know everyone says don't worry until you get there (including me), but I have been thinking; if you want to get a date ASAP including cancellations you really have to get as much prep as possible. In addition if you are in my position (not working), you need more prep and time.

So I have been reading, and taking notes, making flashcards for need to know terms (it only takes me writing them out, and going through them once, for me to have them down pat), taking all of the free practice exams I can find, and watching clinical videos.

Another thing that is helping me, is not getting bored my mixing it up. Meaning if I having been reading notes until I start to yawn, I know I'm not absorbing anything so, I'll switch to some exam questions (from Saunders Comp Nclex RN cd). After I've done about 20 of those, I'll read the content guide, and cross off things that I can run back as soon, as I see the entry, then I'll write down the things that I get a question mark for when I look at them. Then I'll go in Saunders book, and try to find some of those question marks. If I don't find them now, no need to worry, I'll just read a chapter, and find it in my notes later. Then I'll take a practice test. Then, I'll watch a few clinical videos, and practice (if I have the items needed on hand, if not I'll just repeat the videos).

I still have some weak areas but, it's getting better everyday. I'll register for the exam soon.

Ohh and my last tip, to cut down on the clutter that is EC's content guide, I put a line through ANYTHING, that is not listed under the BASIC concepts, those really seem like the only points that I need to hit. Everything else is fluff.

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Hi- EC grad here.

I would suggest NOT ignoring everything that is not in the basic concepts section. Your exam could cover any of the topics in the study guide, so you'll need notes on everything listed. It's a lot of material. To get a very good idea of what the exam will be like, you might want to take the practice exams on the EC website, after you take your notes, and then focus on your weak areas.

The CPNE is a performance exam. Studying terms, etc. might help you with your current exam, but it might not help with the CPNE. When you are ready to take the CPNE, EC will send you a gigantic study manual. It's based on the ANA Standards of Practice, so if you want to get ahead with the CPNE, you can buy a copy if the Standards from http://nursingworld.org/books/

The Saunders will help with your NC exams, because the exams are very NCLEX-like. The questions aren't all cut & dry, so you'll have to grasp concepts of the subject matter in order to answer correctly.

Immersion is a great idea. I had to do the same- I ate, breathed, and slept EC while I was doing the program. I think a lot of people fail early on, because they think EC will be easier to do than a trad. program. It's not. I don't want to see you fall into that category. Just focus on 1 test at a time, and get to know everything in the course outline for each. Worry about the CPNE later. Trust me, you'll have plenty of waiting time, even if you are put on the back up list.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i agree with baptized on this. you need to not put effort into the cpne until you have most of your exams down. these test just get harder and focusing on one test at a time will help you get through. the cpne is a lot of informations to take on. plus with the cpne you need to know what to study for and this takes a great amount of research . are you a lvn, rt or paramedic? i know that i am just itching to break out the cpne book of skills , make some checklist and head to work then practice on my patients...but i have a couple test left so i think it is better to focus on them first...

[Lorie P.]

i also agree, focus on one exam at a time. also i would not think of anything not listed under basics to be"fluff'. sometime the most basic stuff can trip a person up.

like baptized said 1 test at a time and know all the information,

[NC Girl BSN]

i also agree, focus on one exam at a time. also i would not think of anything not listed under basics to be"fluff'. sometime the most basic stuff can trip a person up.

like baptized said 1 test at a time and know all the information,

like everyone has mentioned, definetly take it one exam at a time. i took the first exam and although it was familiar, i found it difficult because they asked some detailed questions that i" felt" were not important but it was on there. the practice exams from ec really helped alot. you really should take the first plunge and take a test. that will give you an idea of what it will be like and from my experience, i think they ask questions from every aspect of the course content guide. good luck.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

I just used the guides to tell me what to read. It worked very well.

My advice? Do the reading.

[fatcat0899 RN]

Hi, my name is dawn. I just recently started the nursing concept 1 thru tcn. Have you decided when you will take your first test?

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

this is a bit off subject but are you taking a workshop for the cpne?

i just used the guides to tell me what to read. it worked very well.

my advice? do the reading.

[SuesquatchRN, BSN, RN]

this is a bit off subject but are you taking a workshop for the cpne?

i certainly will. i'll take ec's. i live a couple of hours north of albany.

there's the way we do things, and the way they wnt us to do things. when i had five preceptors in two weeks i learned five ways to do the same things in two weeks.

i'm not going to risk a failure.

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

I certainly will. I'll take EC's. I live a couple of hours north of Albany.

There's the way we do things, and the way they wnt us to do things. When I had five preceptors in two weeks I learned five ways to do the same things in two weeks.

I'm not going to risk a failure.

Yep - "There's more than one way to skin a cat" is one of my favorite expressions. It doesn't apply in the context of the CPNE, though.

[txspadequeenRN, BSN, RN]

i just signed up with lynn's workshop for january. however, i plan on doing another before i take the monster. i have been a nurse long enough and i am set in my ways.. i need to be reconditioned.