OPinions on Excelsior extra materials for CPNE

[lsilva7]

Opionions please on Excelsior Skill kit, Double stethescope, wound kit, injection pad, CPNE DVD and workbook, Online Documentation conferance, online skills conferance, online care planning conferance. I want to pass CPNE but which of these helpful??

[larry short]

How hard are the exams in general for excelsior, I just started the paramedic to rn program and have my first test in sept

[kmenningen]

My thoughts in how i studied:

Excelsior Skill kit (a must for passing)

Double stethescope (skip this!!!)

wound kit (make one or buy one)

injection pad (skip this)

CPNE DVD and workbook (only if not attending EC workshop)

Online Documentation conferance, online skills conferance, online care planning conferance. (important if you feel really lacking in any of these areas)

*I bought my materials second hand from another EC student. Check out ebay or ask on the epn board if anyone is selling anything.

Good luck,

Kirsten

[SweettartRN]

I am glad to see this posted.

I was highly offended when one of the first things that I saw on the CPNE study guide was that a "successful student has attended a (several hundred dollar) workshop" in addition to the prep and cost of the CPNE itself. That really upset me.

I bought a bunch of supplies from Walmart, and ordered IV stuff from Dealmed.

[kmenningen]

I agree that the CPNE is so expensive and anywhere to cut down costs was important to me.

I bought everything second hand.

I also didn't attend a workshop. I also practiced like mad at home and decided that the expense of travel and a workshop would be about the same cost as the CPNE. I choose to look at the CPNE as my practice run, rather then attending a workshop. If I passed in the end, then I am even better off. Fortunately, this worked out in my favor.

SKills kit materials are essential to practice prior to the CPNE. Buy from another student or gather the supplies on your own. I believe there is a list you can obtain in the study guide for what is needed in order to practice. There are demonstrations on you tube that can show the steps and vannesaman has the best ones. I videotaped myself and posted as well, but it was for peer review and I do have mistakes on them.

Kirsten

[TLSpaz, ASN, RN]

Take Care Planning online! Attend a workshop! That's my suggestion...

[NC Girl BSN]

Definetly get the EC wound.

You need all the supplies to do your labs like tape,ABD pads,gauze, needless syringes, IV bags and tubing. I bought it on EBay. Poke an orange for the injections. I bought a 20 dollar fake arm off EBAY to simulate the IV push. I also took the docuementation and careplanning online conferences. I found them expensive but helpful. I attended Lynns workshop but only because it was in NC and I lived in NC. I borrowed a copy of the EC CPNE video and watched it for reference and I bought Robs video which was very good IMO.

[amyblueize]

Some are not so bad, but towards the end they get tough.