CPNE study help

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OK, truthfully I'm way off from my CPNE. I haven't even started :-)

I'm starting a new job as a unit secretary in a week! I went 3/4 of the way through a 2-year ASN 8 (yes, EIGHT) years ago. Money, divorce, all that was a problem. I continued with what was then Regents until I only had ONE exam and the clinical exam left, but had no idea how I would ever find the money to do the exam so I stopped.

I'm still qualified, and after a lot of lost sleep and talking with others decided to go the Excelsior route instead of starting with a local LPN program. They said I was still qualified and would be accepted, but encouraged me to go the LPN route first -- time and money could become a problem if I did. My A&P, chem, micro, psych are all still good. So I have almost all my non-nursing coursee, just have to retake the CLEP or their test for lifespan because the content changed from 8 years ago, have to take their English exam (they won't accept my CLEP) and maybe one other course, and hunt down the old content guide for the older SOC CLEP to help them decide whether or not it's good. I don't anticipate taking too long to finish the 7 written exams, though some of it is new material most is review and to my benefit I seem to have a knack for taking tests. I'm hoping experience as a unit secretary and constantly seeing what the others are doing/charting will help me out some, especially when it comes to the new drugs and their applications. More than that I was surprised to hear that the unit secretaries are actually asked to help in some of the patient care.

The CPNE of course scares me. It's been 8 years, though I 'remember' my clinicals vividly and have done some CNA and elder care work in the meantime. I can't tell you the last time I picked up a stethescope! For someone like me, I'm sure that the hands-on clinics will be necessary. I see that Excelsior has one 2 day and one 1 day... that doesn't seem like enough.

I don't intend to use anything but excelsior materials for the most part, but was wondering if anyone had input on the Chancellor's workshop. It's 5 days, it is priced separately so I am gathering it is available separately. What have others done to pass the CPNE -- or is everyone else here already an LPN/LVN? I've heard mentioned online skills simulations but haven't found any links. Does anyone have some good links for this? I want to start early on, I have every *intention* of finishing up in 8-12 months (though I am prepared to let it take longer, in the past I just reviewed for maybe an hour a night 4-5 nights before testing and did fine. I find a lot more retention when studying just before drifting off to sleep!) and don't want to lose any time in preparing for this part of the exam.

Any hints on studying and preparing for clinicals when it's been a while since you've used your skills would be greatly appreciated. The overwhelming consensus among nurses I spoke to in deciding how much better I'd be if I went the LPN route first was that most of the skills used were learned on the job, not in school. Is that true? I still know how to wash my hands, make a bed, turn and bathe a patient, take vitals, and the memories of my first IM shot have not faded in the slightest (though I don't remember all the ones I did after that). I still give shots to my dogs! But there's a huge gap here. Eight years is a long time.

OK I'll stop rambling -- any recommendations?

Originally posted by Betty_SPN_KS

I'm glad I found this thread. I'm an LPN student thinking about continuing with Excelsior to go for RN. But a guy in my class said the clinical exam has a 90% fail rate. Is that true? I've been trying to find info on the best way to prepare.

I seriously doubt that they could keep their NLN accreditation with a rate like that. It's probably just someone who is trying to burst your bubble. A lot of people get jealous when they think of someone progressing and bettering themself. You gotta learn to tune out the rumors and look for the hard information. Even information I get here (at allnurses.com) I do research to back it up (although most of the posters here are not negative nellies and are mostly trustworthy).

Specializes in Mental Health, MI/CD, Neurology.

Ohhhhhhh yeah Sarah, you are smart. Very good point to bring up--- especially to the new people. There are SO many rumors out there that go around it's just unreal! Betty (and all), confirm everything you hear that is slightly off kilter and make sure you confirm it with the horse (EC) and NOT a publishing company, as EC makes the rules and knows the scoop. Old people like me had to learn the hard way by hearing something, flipping out, and THEN getting the correct info. You can skip the flipping out part if you just double check.

:)

I graduated from EC then Regents in Nov. 99. I passed the CPNE the first time. It was not that bad. I was soooo nervous and was surprised that it was as easy as it was. A lot of common sense is used and you absolutely have to tell yourself that you can do it. The instructors were firm, but nice. They did not want us to fail. I started taking Regents tests in Feb 98 but took about 7 months off total to take care of my dying dad. I think a test every few months is a manageable goal. I didn't use any outside agencies, thus saving myself a ton of money and I did not buy every book that the college recommended. I went to Barnes and Noble and bought review books. I used a Springhouse series of them but I can't remember the series name. They are straightforward in all areas. I think they cost about $25 each. I had 5 or 6 of them. I did buy the Brunner and Suddarth Med surg book. It's a very good text book. OH......use an NCLEX study guide to study for your tests. It's the same type of format that you will take on the computer and you can pick your areas to test yourself on. I would be happy to share my experience in more detail to anyone that is interested. Good Luck to all who are pursuing this degree. It's well worth the effort.

Kelly

90% fail rate? Well, actually, the answer is YES...depending on the SITE that you choose. My best friend and I have taken the CPNE in Plano THREE times on THREE different occasions. NO ONE PERSON PASSED. Not exactly the 67% they put in the book. Jennifer went to Atlanta SRMC ONCE and passed on her third try, said it was SOOOOO much less stressful than the exam in Texas-still a big challenge, but no head tricks and snotty attitudes and cheap shots. Mind you, Jen went at the worst possible time in her life personally...torn ACL a month before, miscarriage with a D&C the WEEK before she went (she almost cancelled.) I don't think that one person failed that weekend in Georgia.

And don't even try to talk to EC about this, they will totally and completely deny that geography has anything to do with the pass rate, that "they are all equal." Don't bother to ask about the details and facts/figures that are used to determine this equality, either...you won't get anywhere. Just research your site on the Internet carefully to find out what each site is like before you sign up. We wish that we had!!!

Hi, I too am taking my ADN through Excelsior, however I am an LPN from Canada. (and there is some debate whether their program will be accepted here. Oh well, nurses are always needed somewhere!) I too have questions on the CPNE. I am afraid I am going to be one of the unprepared ones. I keep hearing about these 'critical elements', however I have yet to find out what they are!! I have done most of my electives and am just starting on Nursing Concepts #1. Are these critical elements something that will be revealed to me in later Nursig Concept courses? They seem to be the 10 commandments of nursing....I almost expect Charelton Heston himself to present them! I have also heard some CPNE sites are better than others. I still have a way to go, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. (I just hope its not a train coming!)

Thanks for all your feedback and info!

Specializes in Mental Health, MI/CD, Neurology.

Barbie,

During the time that you are working on your NC exams, visit the boards and make yourself more familiar with the CPNE. By the time you are ready to start preparing for yours, it won't be the big scary monster looming in front of you that it is right now. Trust me. :)

Thanks Spazz...The encouragement is always welcome! It looks like preparation is the key...and I always tend to 'over prepare' so hopefully it will be a benefit this time. Receiving kind words is always an incentive, and so far, everyone on this site has been very kind and supportive. But I guess that's why we are all nurses!

Specializes in Mental Health, MI/CD, Neurology.
....The encouragement is always welcome! It looks like preparation is the key...and I always tend to 'over prepare' so hopefully it will be a benefit this time.

Hey Barbie--- if you're used to over preparing, then you're set for this bad boy because you are the type of person who nails it on the first try. Yee haw!

I found that it was hard for me to study for the NC exams because I was so intrigued by this mysterious "CPNE thing". I found myself reading more posts about that than any of the exams I was supposed to be studying for. :)

Ohhhh we so NEED encouragement to make it through this program. I don't know how people do it who don't know about the message boards and don't know anyone personally who is going through or has gone through the EC program. Doing it all on their own---- yikes. I never would've made it if not for all of you guys. :kiss

Specializes in Mental Health, MI/CD, Neurology.
....The encouragement is always welcome! It looks like preparation is the key...and I always tend to 'over prepare' so hopefully it will be a benefit this time.

Hey Barbie--- if you're used to over preparing, then you're set for this bad boy because you are the type of person who nails it on the first try. Yee haw!

I found that it was hard for me to study for the NC exams because I was so intrigued by this mysterious "CPNE thing". I found myself reading more posts about that than any of the exams I was supposed to be studying for. :)

Ohhhh we so NEED encouragement to make it through this program. I don't know how people do it who don't know about the message boards and don't know anyone personally who is going through or has gone through the EC program. Doing it all on their own---- yikes. I never would've made it if not for all of you guys. :kiss

OK, truthfully I'm way off from my CPNE. I haven't even started :-)

I'm starting a new job as a unit secretary in a week! I went 3/4 of the way through a 2-year ASN 8 (yes, EIGHT) years ago. Money, divorce, all that was a problem. I continued with what was then Regents until I only had ONE exam and the clinical exam left, but had no idea how I would ever find the money to do the exam so I stopped.

I'm curious. I was under the impression an enrolled student had 7 years to complete the work.

I'm curious. I was under the impression an enrolled student had 7 years to complete the work.

I wasn't enrolled with Regents. My old college work counts, my old nursing work does not -- that I had to do over, but the fact that I went so far still counted in making me eligible for the program.

I wasn't enrolled with Regents. My old college work counts, my old nursing work does not -- that I had to do over, but the fact that I went so far still counted in making me eligible for the program.

OK, makes sense.

Good luck to you!

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