I posted this on my old thread from before I left for my CPNE but wanted to put it here on it's own thread so when future students search for the specific information they can find it.
Guess what-- I'm so excited to fly home tomorrow!
I'm sitting here in the Mansfield Ohio hotel lobby to let you all know that I PASSED my CPNE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'm out as early as I could possibly be! No repeats on the patient care scenarios! I haven't had much practice with IV's on the job and was worried about that -- and guess what, all my patients had IVPB to give or saline locks that needed to be flushed, LOL. Luckily I had practiced with my dummy and mock lab and calculations and read and drove myself nuts learning this stuff and that knowledge just walked me right through the PCS's. Grid, saved my life. Mnemonics, saved my life. I couldn't imagine doing it without having that specific plan of attack all worked out b/4 entering the pt room.
I had to repeat the IVP lab but that was because I went over on time, it took me 17 minutes to do. I was just ready to attach the med and she said "Sorry your time is up." I went and finished it anyway and completed all the other critical elements but still had to redo it the next day. Passed it right at the 15 min mark next day. WHEW!
So I apologize for the over use of the exclamation marks and the crazy rambling but I need to say: Thanks for all your prayers and support and encouragment! I felt you all with me all three days of testing this weekend-- I even printed the emails and notes out and hung them on my hotel room wall-- I read it every morning.
Now I'm going to go buy a regular book and read it instead of nursing textbooks! Woo-hoo!
AND I'll post more specifc details after I've recovered! Our group in Mansfield was AMAZING! A bunch of intelligent EC students-- of course. 6 of the starting 7 were left on Sunday and 3 I know of so far that passed today and I'm confident about the other 3! The one that wasn't there come Sunday was great too-- it must have been something like those darn NERVES that happened. I will say though-- The CE's and the CA really do want you to know your stuff and come prepared so you can be successful. They are rooting for you too!
I passed my CPNE in Mansfield, Ohio this past Sunday 7/26/09!!! I failed in March, didn't even pass one pcs:madface:. This time I passed all my lab stations the first time and passed all three pcs with no repeats!! It was the best 4 hour drive home I ever had!! I will say this about testing at Mansfield. The Holiday Inn is nice but over rated. Great if you like a bar and resteraunt in the lobby, but I stayed at the Comfort Inn by the Interstate about 3 miles away for less money and the continental breakfast was pretty good.
The CE's were all very nice. I tested both times at Mansfield. A CPNE is a CPNE no matter where you test I think, but the CE's didn't try to throw you under the bus. They were very helpful and cheerful. They had no suitable pediatric patients so I got three adult pcs's. They didn't slam me with oodles and oodles of Selected Areas of Care. There were plenty of knooks and crannies all over the units to do your charting in peace. Ledges were avaiable in all rooms to set your papers on which really helped avoiding contamination and maintaining asepsis.
I failed the first CPNE because my care plans sucked, but I purchased Robs CPNE video (robscpne.com) (the download) and took the Care Plan conference through Excelsior College and had not one difficulty whatsoever the second time around. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND ROB'S CPNE VIDEOS. I had a bunch of memory tools to help me in my first CPNE but forgot them under stress and missed critical elements. Rob's tools were simple and easy to remember even under stress.
I will say this to any student who is approaching their CPNE date. MY ADVICE: Don't spend a lot of time Friday night doing your care plan. Keep them very simple and use what you have assigned to do as your interventions if possible. Saturday afternoon spend time in your hotel hot tub or pool, go see a movie, eat a steak dinner had for heaven's sake have a drink to calm your nerves. Don't stay holed up in your room worrying about Sunday, no matter how bad the day went! Use this time to destress. I did all of the above and it was so therapuetic. Also, as Excelsior College recommends, don't get caught up in people's business who are there testing with you. There are a lot of tears and emotions run high during this time. You don't need the added stress of others. Stay to yourself and focus on your performance. And lastly, don't spend the weekend cramming and trying to study. If you don't come prepared in the first place, last minute cramming won't save your ass!
Don't take it personally if you fail the first CPNE. The CE's told me after I passed that it is shocking when someone passes on the first attempt. Most people that pass pass the second time. So...chin up if you fail, grieve for a couple of days then get your ass back in gear, find out what you did wrong, beg or borrow money if you have to (but don't steal!) but COME BACK AND GITER DONE THE NEXT TIME! Your nerves will be suprisingly calm on round two. I suggest going back to the same place bacause a familier place, even if it sucked the last time you were there, reduces your stress level.
There's my advice and I will be Scott Miller RN within 2 months.
Don't take it personally if you fail the first CPNE. The CE's told me after I passed that it is shocking when someone passes on the first attempt. Most people that pass pass the second time.
That kind of surprises me -- I know a lot of people (myself included) who passed the first time. Then again, these are people who frequent EC's Electronic Peer Network (EPN), where I know I learned so much! I think using the EPN gives students a huge advantage. I doubt I would have passed the first time without all the wisdom and guidance of the EPN.
momofqc
58 Posts
WOW...how inspiring!!!! way to go! congrats!!!!!!
:yeah:
:bowingpur:bowingpur:bowingpur