Hello all. I know I've been mostly a lurker on these boards, with the exception of posting the occasional thread or every now and then sniping at someone else (blame it on stress!), but I just thought I'd drop in here to say that I passed this weekend with zero repeats! It was an incredible feeling to finish that last PCS, sit in the hall sweating bullets, and to have the CA come out clapping and congratulating me. It's still all a little surreal. All this planning and reading and studying and sweating and freaking out and neglecting friends and family. And it's over!
One very important thing to remember during your CPNE experience:
FEAR IS THE MIND-KILLER!
Do NOT let fear or stress cause you to fail! I almost FAILED MYSELF at the IM injection station! I did everything perfectly, and halfway into my injection I noticed a HUGE air bubble in the syringe! I thought to myself: well, it's over. I know the CE can see this huge bubble in my syringe, and I've already pushed half the med in. I can't push the rest in or I'll fail because of the bubble. I can't stop halfway because I've already pushed half the medication in. What do I do?
So, I said out loud to the CA: "I know that you see that giant air bubble in there, and there's nothing I can do about it. I know we both checked the syringe after I drew up the med and I know neither of us saw the air bubble, but it's there now. So, even though I know I've failed a critical element, I'm just going to continue as if this hadn't happened". The CE said nothing to me, because they are there as silent observers and not as your coach or instructor.
So, I finished pushing the med. Hands shaking, sweat beading up on my forehead. I know I've failed because of this HUGE air bubble. But, I think to myself, at least I'm getting some practice in and I'll do it right next time. I push the med in, finish up the rest of the station as if nothing had happened, and look at the CE with a pitiful look on my face. She asks me if I've completed all critical elements of the station. I said, "Well, other than the giant air bubble, yes".
She smiles and says, "Congratulations. You've passed the IM injection station". She then explains to me that the air bubble came from the DUMMY when I aspirated. My nerves were KILLING me and I didn't even think about the fact that real patients usually won't shoot a giant bubble of air into your syringe when you draw up! She then said, "I'm glad you didn't stop halfway through. I was really nervous for you, but I couldn't say anything to you about it".
KEEP YOUR NERVES UNDER CONTROL. Memorize your critical elements and mnemonics. Follow them like a ROBOT. Do not THINK. Just DO. And you will do it!
The CA and CE's were extremely nice and they really did want you to pass. They were all VERY encouraging! The only time that they were stoic robots was during the actual checkoffs. But even then, you could tell that they were really rooting for you. They are not there to fail you.
Good luck everyone. You can do it!
If you want to know what I used to prepare, shoot me a PM. I'm not usually in the business of advertising for other people, but there are a couple of resources that I used that I knew I wouldn't have passed without.
