ryaninmtv

I got my MSN through WGU, BSN through a brick and mortar school. Both degrees are well respected.

I don't know that anyone ever failed for not washing hands (I didn't see it) but there is a very specific way to do each and every task assigned in the module. I remember the stress was palpable during my CPNE. I had an advantage that I took it in Columbus and live near Columbus so I could sleep in my own bed at night. What I also explicitly remember is not sleeping at all two nights prior to the exam because I was so wound up. For my CPNE, we did the lab part on Friday night (not too difficult) and then did an orientation to the hospital (OSU Medical Center). On Saturday, we did our adult clinicals and the stress was incredible. I think what makes it brutal is that the whole process gets in your head. I passed the first one, failed the second one and passed the third one (need to pass 2/3). In my group of six, three went home that day which is about average. The next day, we did our pediatric clinical at Children's Hospital. We all passed the first one (need to pass 1/2) and were done. I think I slept for 14 hours that night. The actual clinical skills themselves weren't that hard. It's all about duplicating the method Excelsior prescribes. The real issue is that the test and by extension its reputation get inside your head and stress you out; causing you to do dumb things that get you failed. My evaluators in Columbus were great. Even the one I failed they made sure to go over everything with me and encourage me for the next one. I remember being completely ecstatic to be done with the thing (and it was only $1250 when I took it). Thanks for this trip down memory lane. I'm going to get coffee now and thank God that I am a case manager and don't have to sweat patient care anymore. PS- Shout out to my cousin and fellow LPN->RN chaxanmom. What's shakin'

I graduated from EC in 2002 and can assure you it is not the easy way out. The tests were not easy and the CPNE was brutal. However, it is a great alternative especially if you work full time and can't navigate a regular classroom schedule. I finished up in about two years. It was one of the best decisions I ever made.

I was always better at the theory than the practice (A's on the classroom stuff B-C on the clinicals). I did work in the hospital for a while but serendipitously got hired in a case management/risk management job (also have a degree in business). Fell in love with case management immediately. Also started doing life care planning a few years ago. It is the perfect combo of using clinical knowledge without doing hands-on patient care. I love it.

I remember it was about eight weeks to get my results which seemed like the longest eight weeks in the world. If you pass, they send you a priority mail letter with your score, certificate, and a bunch of other stuff. I don't know about the failing as I lucked out when I took it (Fall of 2003). Good Luck!

I'm a CCM and CPUR as well. Both are extremely helpful. CPUR seems to be more insurance based (working in insurance, that's a good thing) while the CCM was more practice based. If you are working in any insurance area (CM, pre-cert, etc.) I would recommend the CPUR. Hope this helps.

That looks awesome. Mix with a nice Chardonnay and I think the evening may be well in hand. Thanks.

When I was in nursing school, we practiced vital signs and did IM, SQ, and IV starts on each other. The IM and SQ injections were done with sterile water and saline respectively. The IV start was with a 27G butterfly so it didn't hurt too bad. This was in the late '80s and AIDS was a very new thing. I did have one hot classmate who I never got to work with. As there were only two guys, we got stuck with each other. The hot classmate is an NP now... Okay, back to reality.

Saw multiple turkeys the other day strutting with their friends the deer. I explained to my wife why they traveled together and she didn't believe me. Yes dear, the turkeys really do eat the corn out of the deer droppings. I think we'll be having ham this Thanksgiving.

I'm a guy nurse (or a nurse who's a guy) and I love to cook. More main course kind of things as I'm not too hot with pastries or desserts. I work as a case manager and wind up talking about food with a number of the clients I work with. Anybody have a good recipe for pad thai. I love thai food (when it's not flaming hot) and pad thai is one of my favorites but I haven't found a really good recipe for it. If you've got one, share it. Great thread guys!

I'm a dude and have no desire to be a PA. I might consider going back and becoming an NP but don't feel the PA thing. The main reason is that I am a NURSE, not a doctor wannabe. Maybe we should make that a thread, how many guys get asked if they wanted to be doctors and went to nursing school as a second choice. Say it loud and say it proud, I'M A NURSE!!!

RN- LPN for 14 years. Back in BSN program. Go the RN route. Much greater scope of practice.

Hi there- Another man-nurse in Ohio. RN, Case manager with background in ICU. My favorite question- How long have you been a male-nurse? Uh, since I got my license. Beautiful

I worked as an LPN case manager for about eight years. I went back and got my RN and continue doing workers compensation case management. The biggest differences for me is I obtained my CCM as an RN (can't do that as an LPN) so I can work independently. I'm not certain you can certify in Maryland as a workers comp case manager as an LPN. Where I work, we have a few LPN's who are case managers but they mostly do pre-certs. Hope this helps!

A nurse I worked with was a CM with United Health Care here in Ohio. Had nothing but good to say about them. Apparently, they had an awesome benefit package. Hope this helps.