bjbabs24

To answer an earlier question...I had the multiple satas but they weren't in order just random. For instance I would get 2-3 regular questions and then a satas would pop up and then another 2-3 regular type questions and again another satas. This happened throughout the whole test so after every couple questions it would throw in a satas and after the 20th time I just stopped counting because I was starting to stress about it. I also got a few of the ones where it gives you five answers and you have to slide them over in the right order.

Just checked again and finally got the contact the state board pop up so I guess that does mean that it was on hold yet. I know nothing official but odds in my favor.

When I got all those SATAS my stomach started turning literally. I just kept getting them which was making me think more about the test then the actual question. With all of those in my head I was like omg, am I getting all of these because I am doing well and these are getting harder but then I was thinking if I miss just one possible or pick an extra one that wasn't right I can get it wrong so I honestly am up in the air about how I did.

Little over an hour. many meds, over 20 SATAS-lost count after the 20th.-wanted to pull my hair out , tons of labs. no math

I took it at 8am this morning and stopped at 75. I know I should be more patient since I just took it.

Just took mine two hours ago. It says registration already currently exists. Cannot register at this time?? Does that mean it is on hold?? Anyone else get this? It doesn't say contact the state board but it looks like the other info. is the same in the response as others are getting and on the front page it says delivery complete so I don't think it is on hold. ugh...

Thank you so much for the links!!! I am finding them very helpful and straight forward. One less thing to stress about:)

Hi Everyone!! Taking my test Monday! In need of your prayers to keep me calm and guide my through this. Good luck everyone and thank you!!

Here is a good one that I didn't know before but very helpful. To know the normal systolic for a child 1-7 years old Age +90. Example 3yo child = 93 systolic. Here is another. Do not mix zosyn and gentamycin IV wait at least an hour to decrease the risk of gentamycin inactivation. Test is Monday next week. I am so tired between work, kids and studying but I keep telling myself I can sleep after the test:) Good luck to everyone!!

I think we all hit a boredom patch. Once I got to the last one 7 about the history etc... I could not focus and pretty much only really studied the week before the date I signed up for. I just could not get motivated because it was so boring and basically just memorized things on that to get through the test. I felt like I was back in high school my senior year in the last quarter. Just wading through to get through it even though my heart wasn't in it anymore because all I could think about at that point was moving onto the CPNE.

To those of you still needing to tackle the CPNE I wanted to share a few things from my weekend that hopefully will benefit someone. Few tips from my weekend. 1. on the lab stations(except the wound station) push that trash can far enough away and out of sight. Just leave your alcohol pads, packages on the table and throw them away later after they say you pass:) so you won't even need the trash until later. My weekend and since I have seen a lot of people lately putting a syringe in the trash. It doesn't matter if it wasn't used, it doesn't matter if there is no needle on it, EC will fail you for any syringe going in that trash can. 2. Make sure the tape is secure on the wound, don't let it curl back up. 3. ID, ID, ID!!! entering room(don't touch that patient until after ID is done) and before meds. 4. Look at the peg board at the head of their bed on their wall. I wasn't told by CE or primary nurse not to do BP on left arm due to history of mastectomy (the right arm had an IV) but there was a sign on the board not to take BP in left arm and the patient stopped me and told me to look at the wall(bless her) Listen to your patient-they were so nice and trying to help me in any way they could. I even had a patient tell me that they used the pediatric cuff on her so I didn't have to dig for the right size. 5. get rid of extra cups on their bedside table. Have one main cup or jug. The primary nurse came in and brought an extra foam cup with water in to give the rest of the meds. I stopped the pt. and asked her to please use the jug of water I had just filled. 6. Gel anytime entering or leaving a room that includes kitchenette, pt. room, clean utility etc... 7. Push station-pull the plunger back a few times to loosen it up before getting your flushes, meds. so it doesn't stick giving you a bubble. 8. IV mini bag- flushes-make sure you push out the extra flush before you enter the room-I pushed out the excess into the sink in the med. room 9. Make sure you put some alcohol wipes into your pocket so you have some if you have IV mini bag during pcs to clean the port and stethascope for patients. 10. If a CE questions you on something and you know you are correct fight for yourself. I had a CE question my rate on the pump for the IV mini bag during a pcs and I knew I was correct so I fought for myself. 11. I didn't think anything they gave me wasdifficult at all but to me the stress built up throughout the weekend so find a way to keep calm, don't get ahead of yourself and positive self talk!!! 12. Be aware that time is not just ticking when you are doing things but also the CE. Had a CE that on all testers took about 20 minutes to approve care plan so be aware of your time. 13. If the meal comes, resp. therapist, doctor etc... get out of there and get the meds ready or get some documention done. Every time a pt. ate it took them about 10 minutes so that gives you an idea how long it takes. 14. Think before you touch anything. Had a CE point and tell me to just pick up the hat so she could read the output better. I almost just picked it up because we were both bent over looking at it and just a few feet away. Stopped myself and went out and got gloves. Whew. 15. Trust yourself. I had a few other testers tell me a few things before we got there that were inaccurate so I started to doubt myself. I cleared it up during the questioning time before the labs started. You have studied, and practiced so trust yourself so don't let others plant doubt. 16. Lastly, use mnuemonics for the labs. I was the only one to use them and only one to pass all the labs on friday. Great check off list to make sure you didn't miss anything. You can do them a million times at home but you get there and easy to question yourself if you just did something but if it is right there in front of you it is like a mini back up. I also wrote on the alcohol pads(OCD I know) for the push station. I put aspirate on the first and laid it under my first flush, m and put it under my med. syringe and f under my last flush so that way I never questioned which is which and remembered that all important aspirate for the first flush. I had 5mls over 2 minutes so make sure you practice the larger amounts to push too. So, many wonderful people helped me get through this so I hope this helps someone.

Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Way to never give up and now you are reaping the benefits of your hard work and determination!!! So truly happy for you!!!:roll

Thank you everyone!! Lisa, that is so true. I was thinking this is it, all I have left is for her to take these meds. and I am done. I always told myself if I got done with the patient that documentation was my strength so I knew if I got to documentation I would pass. I just got ahead of myself. Honestly the most emotional thing I have ever been through. I cried more than I would like to admit. I was even crying when I called my husband so he didn't believe me at first when I said I passed. I was just exhausted, emotionally drained and missed my kids like crazy. The minute I got back to my room the study guide was taking up space in the garbage can;) Love all of you!!

Thank you everyone, I passed!!!! I just got in tonight from my flight. Passed all labs stations, both pcs on Sat., then Sunday morning I was almost done and only had meds. to pass, I did patient teaching on her meds. and then handed her the cup w/ meds. Agh!!!! failed it. Forgot to ID before handing her the meds. I was so happy she repeated what I had taught her and then forgot. Then I passed my make up pcs. Thank you to everyone for all of your support, prayers and help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks Traci, I started in December when I applied. At the beginning I mostly spent my time reading the study guide, reading old journals and old questions on EPN, reading anything I could get my hands onto on allnurses esp. the paper by Ivan and Lisa(what a nice summary) and watching Redden on http://cpnex.blogspot.com/2008/06/iv-push-lab.html for labs and watch Rob's dvd for the pcs portion. I swear all I did was read for two months and then I put a lab together on my living room table. Once I was comfortable with that then my next step was care plans sent to Dr. A for review and finally putting it all together with practice pcs on my daughter. I didn't take a cancellation date because I didn't want to rush the process and soak in any info. I could get my hands on. I felt like after each step I got one of those ah ha moments and the main thing was to forget my work nurse way of doing things and take on the EC way of doing things. I had to change my care plan thinking, documentation according to critical elements etc... I feel like I have become OCD over this but I think that is just part of it and once you get a date you see a light at the end of the tunnel:)

Hey Maura it is next weekend on the 5th. I am leaving on thursday, I need to take two flights to get there from WA so pretty much an all day travel thing. Thank you so much for the best wishes. I won't have a computer on me but if I get access I will let you know otherwise I will get back late on Monday so I will post the good news that tues. You guys are awesome and I have learned so much from all of you. I remember when I first started studying it seemed like so much to tackle and get through esp. the 500+ pages of the study guide but having you all to bounce questions off of has helped tremendously and hearing about the experiences gives tackles part of the what ifs. THANKS!!!!!!!

Actually, it depends on the state. Here in WA we have to do 200 hours of preceptorship after the CPNE before we can sit for the NCLEX. (I really don't care because once I am done with the CPNE 200 hours of work doesn't seem like much) Most people do it where they work but some have had issues at hospitals due to insurance so most that I know do their preceptorship at nursing homes etc... and don't seem to have an issue.

Thank you to everyone who responded. I will take all of your advice wholeheartedly!! It is all that is on my brain right now and I am so much like Lisa, I just want to get there and do this! This whole process can only be understood from people who have been through this. What a roller coaster ride of emotions! I was burnt out about a month ago, didn't even want to touch my labs but then I got sick for about a week, sickest I have been in years so it was a forced break then. I think mentally and physically I needed it. After I felt better started back studying and practicing like I did in the beginning. Now I am in a good place with many thanks to you guys. I was thinking of sewing a pocket on the side of my pants? Do you think that is necessary or just put paperwork down where the CE approves. I know I will be too hot to wear a jacket so I plan on only wearing scrubs. Also, how much did you guys gel when it came time to write down on your 20min. check/vitals? Were you ocd about it? Thanks as always!! p.s. note taken-avoid the fiber one bars:imbar

Ok, one more week and then my CPNE!! Yeah!!! Few butterflies(which will multiply next week) but for the most part I am excited. Any last tips would be great!! Anything you think I should go over this last week of studying? THANKS in advance!:icon_hug:

Congrats!!!!!! So happy for you.

I started this when I changed careers and went to LPN school for tests because before I never did too well taking tests(my grades were so so in college) but my husband built up my confidence and gave me huge encouragement. I would set my goal to be the highest in the class not whether I pass or fail. Even for the excelsior concept tests I would go in with the attitude that I would come out with an A and nothing else would be acceptable. I believe part of course is your studying and common sense and the other is having confidence in yourself. I never changed an answer because I always went with my gut instinct. Once I start to question myself that is when the problems start. My belief in myself is what made the difference.

Congrats!!!!!!!!! So truly happy for you!!!! Take a break now and good luck with your NCLEX!

Congrats Luna, couldn't happen for a better person/nurse!!!!

Thank you to everyone for your suggestions. I think I am going to take a few days off and regroup and then set up a new plan for the last month. I stayed away from everything pretty much yesterday and just practiced my pcs scenarios on my daughter. She is the perfect patient because she jumps at the chance to do it and she always interupts during vitals and aoc's so it is good for me to get sidetracked and then go back to what I was doing to see if I can pick up where i left off. THANKS again, and it is good to know that others have gone through this lull while studying.

Congrats!!!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to read about your experience!!! I best you can't believe it's over! Which site-St. Mary's or Meriter? Very happy for you! THANKS!