tom-from-texas

I just learned that it isn't the lack of patients but the lack of physical space that caused the end of CPNE testing at Plano. I don't want to spread any wrong information. Tom

I bought used College Network books off EBAY and liked them. If you are not LPN background, you should purchase the full "Fundamentals of Nursing" text. I went to Paramedic school and the nuring text helped me start thinking like a nurse. Tom

Congrads and thanks for the write-up. It gives those of us following behind you hope.

I was scheduled for 2-12-2010 in Plano and just got a call telling me that Medical Center in Plano has not renewed their contract with Excelsior. The reason stated is they could not get enough patients for Excelsior. So, now I am being moved to 2-26-2010 in Lubbock. I will enjoy the two additional weeks of time to practice, but Plano is one hour from my home and Lubbock is seven hours. I wanted to post this message to give others here at allnurses.com the heads-up. If you are scheduled at Plano, expect a call. Tom

Very cool. I bet the Paramedic background helped on that one!

if you do a google search for cpne, you will likely see a new website that claims to compare the different workshops. the website says "this is the official cpne workshop review site, written by students for students to help you know the real deal". since i have a technical background working in information technology, i wanted to share some information that those with a less technical background may not notice. this "cpne workshop review" website is hosted from the same web server as the workshop that it rates as #1. you can go to a command prompt and ping both websites to see this yourself. they both come back with the same ip address.

i passed lifespan 3 saturday. as always, taking the official practice exam will be very helpful. i do recommend the practice exams. the one thing that surprised me was the number of questions on the live test that required some drug knowledge. so a few extra hours study on the meds will be time well spent. lifespan 2 & 3 are the hardest of the exams in my opinion, so don’t cut your prep time short on these two.

Still remaining is Lifespan 2 & 3. That is the old NC5 & 6.

I'm from Denton and have completed all but two of the tests. I'll be glad to lend a hand to someone else; it will help me as well as it helps you. I need to get moving on the exams again.

Debi23, How long ago did you sign up with the college network? Less than three days and you can exit your contract. Their materials are good, but you can get them used cheaper on EBAY. If past the 3 day limit, then let the contract with them motivate you to complete your degree. Tom

As another medic, I would second the advice given. Sign up directly with Excelsior. Don't sign up with any of the third party study guide providers. Good Luck and keep coming back to this Forum. There are always lots of helpful people here. Tom

i attended lynn's cpne workshop in dallas this week too. i learned lots of stuff from it and plan to retake it when i actually get near my cpne date. one of the big things i learned from her workshop is to make sure you have a plan of attack for the cpne weekend. go in with lots of practice on the labs, know your critical elements and be ready to write care plans that will hold up. they don't have to be a complex one, but just a simple one that fits. lynn did not seem like a slave driver to me. i left around 8:00 p.m. the first day.... :-) she did not tie me to a table to keep me from leaving, she just wants to make sure you are prepared the best she can in two days. i met another student that is from denton tx and we plan to get together and practice one lab skill, one area of care, and writing a care plan. we hope to work at this once a week for the next 20 weeks. now, if we can really make that happen, we should both be able to pass our cpne without paying $1800 twice. tom

The reading you are doing is good review, but likely much more than you need to do in order to pass your first EC test. Pick up a good study guide for NC1 off EBAY and study from it. It will be much faster. Then if there are any areas that you know you are weak or don't really understand, then go to the regular textbooks for that part only. Tom