Passing clinical exam after lpn to rn online course

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I am a LPN-C in Nebraska. I am once again thinking seriously of getting my RN through one of the online schools. I am unsure which one is the most reputable and provides the best education. I have been a LPN for 27years. I cannot afford to not work full time so this is the best option for me. But I do have a big reservation. I have been told by more than one nurse they automatically fail a percentage during the clinical exam portion or fail them for a trivial reason. One nurse said more than half her class did not return for the 2nd day of the examination. I do not want to put so much money & time only to have this happen to me. I am a good nurse. I handle stressful situations well but I could not afford to take the course over again (which is what I am told a person is required to do). I would appreciate any input.

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Specializes in LTC, SNF, Rehab.

Check your community colleges. I know there are several in my area that offer LPN-RN bridge programs and they have evening, weekend and online classes. Also, cc's are usually cheaper & are eligible for more financial aid.

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GOOD NEWS FOR YOU!!I am the one you need to speak to. I was an LPN-C in Nebraska first and went through Excelsior (the school in question). I have been an RN for about 3 years now. Unless you live in or around Omaha, there is no such thing as a night nursing program anyplace in this state. Most people in the U.S. just do not know what rural, REALLY means. Excelsior is not all that bad. If you PM me I will tell you all you want and even have some free stuff to help you out. There is also a forum on here for students that has ALOT of good info for Excelsior students. (by the way---it is NOT online but distance learning.)

Tom

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Specializes in Mental and Behavioral Health.

I got my RN through Excelsior, also. It is a great education. If you can pass the Nursing Concepts exams, you'll have no trouble with the NCLEX because they are designed in a way to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN. There is really no need to buy all of the materials they tell you to buy, or to study those little booklets full of questions. Just get you some NCLEX-RN preparation manuals, and study the portion of those that have to do with the test. You can get the Saunder's book on Amazon for less than $40.00. It comes with a CD-ROM, and once you study the book, and enough questions, and rationals, you'll do great. If there are still things you are unclear on, then you can go deeper with textbooks.

Don't let anyone scare you about the CPNE. People who fail are unprepared. Unprepared, that's all. A lot of people go into this test not knowing what it is about (There was a girl at my CPNE who asked while we were in the lobby on the morning the test was to start, "So. Is this test hard?" I knew she wouldn't make it, and she didn't.) You are not going to do that. Memorize your Critical Elements for each area of care, and practice doing them all in a row until it flows. Memorize each step for each lab, and practice (with actual equipment) them until you can do them from muscle memory. It's all in the Study Guide. Really no surprise for people who really read the study well. You will need a workshop to get you on the right track to study, otherwise it is too overwhelming. You will need 2-3 hours a day for 6-9 months to prepare for the CPNE. It is extraordinarily difficult mentally, physically, and emotionally. It is also totally doable. You have to re-learn to do it exactly the way Excelsior wants it done. Excellent, experienced LVNs fail all the time because they didn't wash their hands, or they didn't ID the pt. Mostly because they are scared out of their wits, and forget basic stuff. You are not going to do that because you are going to practice doing it the right way so many times that you will do it automatically. Also, you are going to have a list of letters that you will memorize before you go in. You will be given time and space at the begining of your test to reproduce the lists from memory. This list of letters will contain first letters of key words for things that you have to remember to do in a certian order. You will have one of these list memorized for every procedure that you are to do for your CPNE. Your lists will include "W" or "H" for every time it would be prudent to wash your hands. You can make the CPNE an open book test. You just keep looking at your list of letter, and checking things off, and making notes on your assessments as you go.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.
I got my RN through Excelsior, also. It is a great education. If you can pass the Nursing Concepts exams, you'll have no trouble with the NCLEX because they are designed in a way to prepare you for the NCLEX-RN. There is really no need to buy all of the materials they tell you to buy, or to study those little booklets full of questions. Just get you some NCLEX-RN preparation manuals, and study the portion of those that have to do with the test. You can get the Saunder's book on Amazon for less than $40.00. It comes with a CD-ROM, and once you study the book, and enough questions, and rationals, you'll do great. If there are still things you are unclear on, then you can go deeper with textbooks.

Don't let anyone scare you about the CPNE. People who fail are unprepared. Unprepared, that's all. A lot of people go into this test not knowing what it is about (There was a girl at my CPNE who asked while we were in the lobby on the morning the test was to start, "So. Is this test hard?" I knew she wouldn't make it, and she didn't.) You are not going to do that. Memorize your Critical Elements for each area of care, and practice doing them all in a row until it flows. Memorize each step for each lab, and practice (with actual equipment) them until you can do them from muscle memory. It's all in the Study Guide. Really no surprise for people who really read the study well. You will need a workshop to get you on the right track to study, otherwise it is too overwhelming. You will need 2-3 hours a day for 6-9 months to prepare for the CPNE. It is extraordinarily difficult mentally, physically, and emotionally. It is also totally doable. You have to re-learn to do it exactly the way Excelsior wants it done. Excellent, experienced LVNs fail all the time because they didn't wash their hands, or they didn't ID the pt. Mostly because they are scared out of their wits, and forget basic stuff. You are not going to do that because you are going to practice doing it the right way so many times that you will do it automatically. Also, you are going to have a list of letters that you will memorize before you go in. You will be given time and space at the begining of your test to reproduce the lists from memory. This list of letters will contain first letters of key words for things that you have to remember to do in a certian order. You will have one of these list memorized for every procedure that you are to do for your CPNE. Your lists will include "W" or "H" for every time it would be prudent to wash your hands. You can make the CPNE an open book test. You just keep looking at your list of letter, and checking things off, and making notes on your assessments as you go.

too bad Excelsior is not accepted in Maryland.

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I Greatly appreciate the input. I am just starting the process and trying to make a decision on whether to go forward. I will keep you in mind for the future.

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I just finished the class for my LPN-C in Omaha, NE. I was wondering if you could tell me anything about the state exam which I am taking next week. They give you nothing to study for it. Was it super hard like the class was. Or at least I thought the class was hard.

Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated. I am really stressed out over this exam:)

Thank you.

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I took my exam approximately 4 years ago. It is difficult to know what to study. My test had quite a few questions about central lines from what I recall. A lot of questions were not about IV therapy, which I did not understand. Know you lab values and just lots of common sense. I had an exceptional instructor which I know was a big reason I did well. I thought her exams were harder than the the State's exam. You will do fine. Constantly review your notes and handouts!

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