Nervous Nurse can't pass CPNE :)

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Specializes in Primary, Geriatrics, Neuro, MS, Hospice.

Hi all!

I'm so happy to have found this wonderful nursing community. I'm not really sure where this question belongs. I am an LPN with six years experience. I can't seem to be able to pass the CPNE. I get extremely nervous and start shaking and I'm a complete mess. I have taken it twice and it's my last chance. Bad luck seems to follow me around. The first time I took it my fiance accidentally broke his leg as he took me in to my first day. It was upstate NY and he slipped on the ice. SO, I had to ship him off to the ER as I did my CPNE in the same hospital. Passed all the lab stations. Ran out of time on my first cps when they gave me a chatty patient then my second PCS my careplan was not measurable. Second time around in Georgia, I failed the lab stations, I ripped four different pairs of gloves while attempting to do my wound station six months pregnant with raynauds in a freezing room. I shook so bad. Failed at it both times. Passed my PCS's though.

I don't know what to do anymore. I know my stuff. I just can't seem to calm down. It's not like I can afford to keep throwing all this money out. I'm the primary bread winner in my house and its so hard for me to even come up with money. I have one more chance and I cannot blow it. All I need is my CPNE and Microbiology. Any advice would help. This time around should be easier because one I am not worried about loosing my job because they would not give me the weekend off and two because I'm not pregnant :) I've been to the workshops and my care plans are strong. I'm currently working nights in hospice so I get a lot of down time to study. Any advice would be so appreciated. Thanks so much =D :nurse:

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Talk to your doc, maybe get a little something to help with your anxiety.

Best wishes!

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Sounds like your biggest problem is your relaxation techniques. Work on this. And get your hands on gloves and practice. Lots of people have problems with the gloves. It does not help when they do not have the correct size either. Go at it that last time. You have just as much chance to get through this as not, so you might as well try. Good luck.

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Specializes in Primary, Geriatrics, Neuro, MS, Hospice.

@ merlee LOL, I should maybe thats just what I need

@Calliotter3 I will go at work and ask about getting a stack of gloves. I need to call excelsior too and get my hands on one of their wounds. I have one but it look nothing like their leg wound.

Thanks so much! You are so sweet to reply

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I read an article last week (not sure where) about test anxiety. People who get extremely nervous before tests should take 10 minutes before the test and write down all of their anxieties... this helped anxious test takers tremendously.

So if you can, arrive super early and spend a good 10-15 writing down all your fears and what you worry about. It can help you relax... although if you can get a medication from a doc to help too, then you'd be set.

Good luck, you'll do great!

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Specializes in Hospice / Psych / RNAC.

Don't start off with this happened that happened etc... Own it; when you become an RN you will be expected to perform under all kinds of circumstances. Hope this helps . . . .

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCwQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fallnurses.com%2Fdistance-learning-nursing%2Fi-took-excelsior-300748.html&ei=rpVETZjGL4yosQOMurTECg&usg=AFQjCNGLII6EGZzYcigcu_X-KVqw4NrXVw&sig2=1KjEqfeqyFFgzV_X6m-q3w

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Specializes in Medical and general practice now LTC.

Moved to the Distant learning forum

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

hear me...xanax and whiskey!!!!!

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Well, maybe not the wiskey, but the xanax sure sounds useful!! ;) Know your stuff, backwards and forward. Get the actual equipment. I saw Tina in Northeast had a workshop that just runs thru a mock CPNE, expected to know your stuff, run thru the test, and they will tell you if you "passed".

I am almost CPNE ready, so I remember seeing that on her website:

http://www.necworkshop.com/servicescosts

Good luck.

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First of all change your mindset. I dislike the title of this thread because you CAN pass the cpne. You have to decide before you arrive that you will pass. "I'll go and see what happens" won't cut it. I had some of the wackiest things happen during my weekend. I was on my 3rd pt and STILL no bp cuff available for my manual requirement, a pt that would not stop talking during resp assess, a new CE who stopped me in the middle of my pcs and pulled me out to fail me (challenged her and won) you name it. I just decided to pass and it made the difference. I saw students taking xanax, inderal, and rescue remedy spray to get over their nerves but we passed and that is what counts. You have to believe in yourself though or no amount of advice will help you. It is a monster but it is doable. I'm rooting for you. :)

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Specializes in Hospice, ER.

Xanax. Helped me pass the second time at CPNE.

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first of all change your mindset. i dislike the title of this thread because you can pass the cpne. you have to decide before you arrive that you will pass. "i'll go and see what happens" won't cut it. i had some of the wackiest things happen during my weekend. i was on my 3rd pt and still no bp cuff available for my manual requirement, a pt that would not stop talking during resp assess, a new ce who stopped me in the middle of my pcs and pulled me out to fail me (challenged her and won) you name it. i just decided to pass and it made the difference. i saw students taking xanax, inderal, and rescue remedy spray to get over their nerves but we passed and that is what counts. you have to believe in yourself though or no amount of advice will help you. it is a monster but it is doable. i'm rooting for you. :)

you are sooooo right @ conquer, i didn't even want to open the thread because of the title.....

you will do better next time, just relax....good luck

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