Hi all. I just passed the CPNE this past weekend with no repeats. I've been browsing/apart of this website since I was in LPN school six years ago. First I would like to say do not believe all the horror stories you read around the internet. A lot of people don't prepare properly and then have sour grapes.
Excelsior is very rigid on hitting the critical elements of the CPNE and that is well established, so as long as you prepare for that, you are fine. There is nothing complicated about the CPNE. They are testing basic nursing skills. Skills I had when I graduated LPN school. So as long as you develop a plan to remember all the critical elements, you will do just fine. Pretty much everything you need to know is given to you by Excelsior in the study guide. Now it can be beneficial to get help in sorting through all that material, and I would reccoment Sheri Taylor's ATL Clinical Workshop. I did the online program and it had everything I needed.
The two most important skills to develop while you are studying for the CPNE are mastering careplans and memorizing your mnemonics for your AOCs. I worked in a nursing home, so really all the assessments and managements for the CPNE I did at work already. I just had to tailor them to the way Excelsior demands, which they tell you.
I can not stress enough the importance of mastering careplans. You can't get into the room with out your care plan getting approved, and it sets the whole tone for your PCS. The majority of fail stories I have read stem around issues from careplans, by either not writing them properly, or taking too long which causes you to have too little time in the room. You can't build a strong building on shaky foundation.
PREPARE PREPARE PREPARE. I've read a lot of stories of nurses with 20 years experience thinking they are just gonna run up in there and knock it out with their experience. Then they complain about the small 'stupid' things that they failed for. Well it is known ahead of time that you will get popped for those things, so take it serious and prep. I truly believe this is a test of preperation, not skills.
Good luck and remember it is totally doable. 4 out of 6 passed at my weekend and we were all first timers.
Where did you take your CPNE? I take FCCA in Feb and I am already planning to do Sherri Taylor in ATL for one weekend, but I have heard horror stories about completing CPNE in ATL.
Utica and the staff was great. I felt very welcomed immediately. You'll hear horror stories everywhere, just study and focus. Ignore the stories.
ok thanks. I have heard great stories on Utica as well as Queens. I have never been to NY so that is one reason I am kind of leaning towards NY. but never the less Congrats!!! Do you know how long it will take the school to send your stuff to the BON for you to test?
I believe clinicals are around 2500 now they do have payment plan for them, they have payment plans for your test and also offer payment plans for classes. Excelsior does participate in grants so when I did my gen ed I took the classes and was able to use the rest of my pell grant. Go through Excelsior directly don't use TCH or Rue or Advance learning center that's where people get popped big for money. I think all together out of pocket I haven't even spent 4k yet and that includes books, testing for nursing exams.
I would just like to say that just because many people pass the CPNE, does not necessarily mean that they performed everything perfectly. That is determined by the CE, and I experienced first hand how biased and subjective this exam can be. A fellow tester in my group said the CE's she had for her first two PCS's were very helpful, gave her hints and coached her. Unfortunately, I did not have such generous CE's. I also experienced how one CE overlooked an error I made on a PCS, but the next CE failed me for it. A critical element is a critical element, or so I've heard. I guess the checklist applies to some and not to others. I am not begrudging those who have passed, I know full well all the work, effort and money that goes into preparing for this exam. I just think it's harsh to judge those who have failed, and assume somehow that it was completely their fault.
Thank you for the feedback. I have been stressing since I first started this program. I already plan on utilizing the Sherry Taylor program. You make it sound so doable. Congratulations and I hope you did pass your boards as well.
That is what I am afraid of. I hear that some are very easy and you feel more comfortable but some are just nasty. I also heard that they have to fail so many and pass so many so that makes me very nervous as well.
Yes there is some variability in terms of dealing with the CE and patient but it's your job to be completely prepared. You can't get gigged for doing everything perfect.
Those theories (Quotas) are unfounded and probably made up by someone who couldn't take ownership for a fail. For some people it's a defense mechanism blame someone or something else for my fail.
My two tips would be TRY to control your nerves as best you can.
Also treat the exam like a job interview, show up first day professionally dressed to impress and conduct yourself as a healthcare professional.
Yes I agree; never took the exam and I haven't applied yet to the program. But at this point excelsior is my only option! For school and I really get tired of all the negativity surrounding cpne. When the time come I think looking and acting the par is very important. Come in confident but humble, neatly dressed, proper hygiene, a few min early, organized, well prepared by using all resources of studying, positive attitude, don't underestimate the exam, think like a Rn, and I should be fine. With all that being said, I really appreciate everyone who has posted their success stories; I have had a very traumatic experience in another program and really need the inspiration.
jdaniellek
1 Post
Hello there,
I don't want to pry, but I am just looking into this program. Did you do the classes or the book and test path? Also is it true clinicals cost $2000?