Published Jun 30, 2008
rouge79
20 Posts
someone please explain this exam for me:confused:. I know its a 3 day exam, but what do each day consists of. is day 1 labs, if so do we do it on a dummy. and what about day 2 and 3. please explain how many labs we need to do, how many patients do we see,etc. thank you.
Melinurse
2,040 Posts
3 days is not whole picture.
Day 1 - labs, 4 stations, IV gravity, IV push, IM or SC injection, wound care ; then you are taken to where you will do your first PCS ( patient care situation ) You can reveiw your patients chart. Get to know the unit and where stuff is. This is the time for questions about the unit. Go back to hotel, eat, write care plan for first pt., get plenty of sleep.
Day2 - Get to hospital, meet with CA and other testers, go to first PCS, then do second PCS, may get a short break. Go to hotel. De-stress!!!!!
Day 3 - Starts same as day 2 go to your third PCS, this will be your last one IF you passed both PCS on Day 2. Otherwise you get 1 or 2 more chances.
Oh I almost forgot, on Day 2 if you failed any labs from Day 1, you must repeat them and pass.
Lunah wrote a detailed journal on another thread that is well worth reading.
thanks for the reply, melinurse. so the first day labs, we do it to the dummies and the second day, do we actually have to inject patients if required. like IV meds or IM,SQ meds or enteral feeedings.
No IV push. I had to hang an antibiotic on 2 of my pts. I don't think we give IM but I'm not sure. All labs are on dummies. Nerves are worst part. I knew I was going to be nervous, but #^* I thought I was going to wet myself! Not kidding. I was much better when I was with the patient though. My hand was shaking sooooo bad I thought time would run out before I could get the gauze to open and cooperate with the wound packing. ( I passed ) The CE was definately holding back laughing. I talked to her later. ( on another weekend ) So my best advice for the CPNE is to read Suesquatch"s sticky about the workshop and Lunah's journal, also I used the EC flashcards. Was worth the $12.00. Price may have changed?
My co-worker standing behind me says, " If you are going to be as nervous as Mel, buy some depends.":fnypst: Sorry but I was bet that I would not write that and actually post it. $$$$$
NC Girl BSN
1,845 Posts
Try to buy the CPNE DVD on ebay or ask someone for it on the EPN on EC website. It goes over what the CPNE is like for the 2.5 days your there.
thanks NCgirl. you mean CPNE lab simulation cd on ebay for $30. and by the way, did you receive the CPNE study guide from excelsior. I haven't received mine yet