Pimp my (CPNE) lab!

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Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

So I've just set up my bare bones lab (see pic below). As you can see, right now I've just thrown a couple of random tables together to make a supply station and a work station. I'm sure I'll get ideas for "upgrades" as I work through the car jack, but suggestions would be awesome.

FYI, I bought the skills kit from Ec and plan on setting up each of the five stations if space allows (though it looks doubtful!). I'm also using a swimming noodle as a make-shift arm (an idea I'm pretty sure I got from these forums :-D)

Here are some specific questions I have:

1. Where can I get a couple of needles and IV caths for my lab? I don't have access to them at work and I don't see hospitals or doctors just handing them out to me (not even if I ask nicely :-P). Any ideas?

2. Right now I'm planning to make my own wound based off of the actual wound using clay. Did anyone else make their own wound? What did you use and how did it work out? (I've already planned to empty my irrigation bottle and just pretend to irrigate so that I don't ruin my wound).

3. What did you use for an IV pole? I'm thinking some kind of hanging hook or a stick with a hook on each end or something. I'm going to have to experiment!

Thanks in advance!

My new home for the next few months:

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Specializes in Revenue Integrity, Rehab, RAC Auditor.

I used a swim noodle I cut up, one section I cut in half lengthwise so it would lie flat on table-I put IV cath in it and put piece of tape on end with name, birthdate and med rec # so I got used to checking those each time. The other half of that I put a navel on and used it as my Sub Q station, Taped 2 sections of the noodle together to use for my IM and finally the last put ID band on and used just to get habit down of checking name, birthdate and med rec # everytime. On all of the swim noodle pieces I had a piece of tape with name, birthdate and med rec #-didn't want to forget so this just made it a good habit of checking every single time. For the wound I bought the $40 one from Excelsior - I was going to make one but my husband said do you really want to risk losing $3500 (CPNE fee, plane, hotel and food cost) because you didn't want to spend another $40 on the wound? Plus I used all my saline then filled my bottle with water because you really need to decide how much to squeeze out of the 4x4 and use it wet to pack the wound so you have it down - your nerves will be so bad you want this to all be second nature to you when you are there that weekend. I started with 2 labs until I had them down then added the second 2, then practiced daily - I had them down so that I could do each lab in 7 min or less. The lab night the CA ask how I finished before everyone else and I told her "if you knew how many times i have practiced these labs - she smiled and said I could tell!" That was a confidence boost!! I took Sheri Taylor's online and in person workshops and her videos about the labs were fantastic. No doubt could not have passed without Sheri's help. By the time of my CPNE I could write a careplan without the Mosby's but I sure used it to make sure I didn't make any mistakes. Google IV supplies and you can get them cheap or check out e-bay for supplies. Good Luck!!!! :D

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Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

Thanks for this! I want to practice it so that it becomes motor memory so that even if I'm terrified, it won't matter too much. That's how the military trains medics after all.

This is some great advice. I'll be sure to incorporate it. I think I will go on and spring for the wound as well. Your husband sounds like a very wise man :-)

What did you use for an IV pole? I may see if I can just buy one or something.

I'll be using Sheri Taylor as well.

Thanks again!

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Specializes in Revenue Integrity, Rehab, RAC Auditor.

For my IV pole I went to Goodwill and got a $5 floor lamp took off shade and put 8" piece of wood across top and drilled holes in each side, then put shower hooks through each hole and IV Pole you can move around!!!

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You can use hangers to hang bags on. You could hang the hanger on the higher end of a door hinge. Ask any of your nurse friends to give you some syringes. You can ask the pharmacy if they have any expired supplies they are willing to throw away.

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Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.
For my IV pole I went to Goodwill and got a $5 floor lamp took off shade and put 8" piece of wood across top and drilled holes in each side, then put shower hooks through each hole and IV Pole you can move around!!!

That is such a great idea. You are very creative :-D I just submitted my application to NPAC with all of the completed documents. I'm crossing my fingers for Utica.

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Specializes in Revenue Integrity, Rehab, RAC Auditor.

Thanks but can't take credit for the lamp IV pole I read it on here back when I was setting up my labs. I just wanted something as close as I could get to the real thing. When I got there I wanted to go on auto drive with the labs because I know how bad my nerves are and taking anything was out of the question since I am face first on the floor with just a Darvocet - :p I passed in Utica in May and absolutely loved it there, nice quiet small town and small hospital and the CA & CE's were so nice - although one of them told me there is a group of them and they do all the New York sites. Good Luck!!!

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Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

My new work of art! I call it "The $10 IV pole" or "strange things you can do with a lamp" :roflmao:

I had some of the materials at home and got the rest at Wal-Mart. The lamp was just under $6 and I think the piece of wood was a couple of dollars. Found it in the crafts section. I had the hooks at home. I used an electric screw driver and a screw to drill the holes at the end to make the hooks easier to screw in. I had to saw the stick down; I went with 10" since I kept the top of the lamp on and it opens out a bit (it does come off you wanted to take it off, but I thought it would help with stability).

I know the "ram hooks" on an IV pole point downward but this should do the job despite some of the inaccuracies (artistic liberties, ya'll :up:).

....I know how bad my nerves are and taking anything was out of the question since I am face first on the floor with just a Darvocet - :p ....

I know I had to laugh at the posts here where the recommend CPNE prep was getting a prescription for Xanax and starting it a few weeks before the CPNE so that you could get used to the effects :lol2:.

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Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.

Just got my date! First weekend of February 2013 at Faxton-St. Lukes (Utica)!!!

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Specializes in Revenue Integrity, Rehab, RAC Auditor.

Woo Hoo - Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! :D The IV pole looks great - by February you will have this down. E-mail me anytime if have questions and Good Luck!!!

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How long did it take to get the test date? I am hoping to be ready CPNE in January.

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Specializes in geriatrics, hospice, private duty.
Woo Hoo - Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! :D The IV pole looks great - by February you will have this down. E-mail me anytime if have questions and Good Luck!!!

Thanks! Any hotel and/or food recommendations? I want the hotel to be as close as possible to the hospital. Someone said the Holiday Inn was really close. I will be practicing EVERY DAY from now to then on a retired LPN of 25 years :-). (Hey, that's almost as good as an RN...probably better, depending on the RN, hehe) :cheeky:.

BTW, I'm a little nervous about having a peds pt. Did you get one while you were there? I know they have a peds ward and it is likely that I will have a peds pt!

How long did it take to get the test date? I am hoping to be ready CPNE in January.

Sent my application, documents, and fee in early AM October 31st and had date early AM November 1st. If you don't do your background check early, pay the extra $6 for it to be expedited and you will have it back in

Good luck!

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