Need CPNE direction, guidance etc.

[mikesgirl1]

Ahh yes, I have been eligible for cpne for over a year now, have all the money just no motivation. Here is my issue, I have sat back and laughed at this Excelsior program, I truly found the tests ridiculously easy and have not cracked a book for the entire program I am done all but info lit and cpne.

Now I am not laughing as the cpne looms ahead, I have severe anxiety over this test to the point where I almost do not want to be bothered, and I have all but made it. I cannot afford a in person workshop. However, I can afford the Sherri online one. So aside from printing off the beast guide, ordering the skills kit, and the online careplanning workshop, how shall I go about this?

I ask because I have no study habits, I never have and I am under the impression this cpne takes major study. Also how long should one expect to prepare? I am a homecare lpn, peds trachs gtube etc, so much of my 8 yrs as an lpn has been just the same routines with kids, I have very little major clinical skills so to speak.

I also was grandfathered in the program w out the fcca thing.. I dont know if that will hinder me as well. So everyone, I am asking for help, tips, uplifting stories of passing etc. I cant seem to get the excelsior peer network to work on my computer either lol. I need some motivation people lol, I now do not find this program a joke... thats what I get for laughing I suppose. I have heard great thhings about Utica and I live about 2 hrs away, thats where I intend to go, if I can get going.

Thanks people in advance!!!!!! I am just so lost and fear with so little clinical experience I am in trouble, sorry so long ladies and gents.

[frankie,RN]

Hi. good luck on the CPNE. Everyone's experience is different but I'll tell you what I thought. the most important thing is to know your critical elements. i studied religiously. I onlystudied for 2months because i only worked weekends while preparing, also my date was only 2 months after completing the fcca. just make sure you have memorized and practiced the critical elements. The second most important thing is to relax. Its hard to do, but anxiety can contribute to mistakes which can lead to failure. stay calm and dont rush or you may make mistakes. 3rd, practice, practise, practice.

Ive heard that utica is a great place to test. I hear that the instructors want you to pass. I tested in Albany at St. Peters.I had a wonderful experience there, but others didnt. so i'll say its 50/50. ive heard nothing bad about utica, but your experience will be what you make of it and how prepared you are for it. good luck to you. we will all be rooting for you.:)

[BeachCathyRN]

I passed in Utica on May 13th and yes it's wonderful site and uses the same CE's & CA's as the other sites in New York-one of the CE's told me they travel around to all the sites. The most important thing is know your critical elements and have a grid and follow it for both the PCS's and charting. I took Sheri's online and in person workshop and couldn't have passed without it. She is the careplan queen and her videos with her online workshop are priceless you can watch them over and over. Buy her study guide she offers when you sign up for the online workshop-I used her mnemonics for my critical elements and used her charting examples for all my charting. I hadn't done a careplan in 35 years and didn't even need my Mosby's to do careplans thanks to Sheri - I did double check everything in it during CPNE. I applied for CPNE right at Christmas and knew I wanted 4 months to study because I only wanted to do this once - put ready date of May 1st and received date of May 11-13 two weeks after applying. I worked 4 ten hour days and studied on my days off for the most part. I did have all my mnemonics on flashcards on my phone so studied these on breaks at work. Hope this helps and good luck!! :)