2CareerRN

I think many of us have been there...The first year is just tough and letting things roll off your back is all you can do at times. Please don't take it serious with the nasty ones and never forget where you came from...There will be a time when you will be there for someone else but it takes time :)

The CPNE study guide is overwhelming at first but once you start to break it down it does gets easier and like LunahRN says, read every word!!! The workshop will help you no matter how you look at it. It really helped me to have a mock room in my home. The careplans are big and you really need to have them under your belt rather then starting an IV. The CEs will be your best friend! You will have a lot of questions as you study so be sure to have your support system like Excelsior online groups. Good luck!!!

If I knew what I know now back when I started taking courses, I probably wouldn't have gone into nursing. Yet, I am here in nursing doing the best I can to provide the best care I can. I can't say that I LOVE nursing now but I don't Hate it either. I am getting experience and am hopeful that someday I will find my niche in the nursing field. I can't change what I have done but I can change what I will do... But for those who do not like nursing, if at all possible find something you like and go for it...you deserve to be happy!!!

Do what makes you happy!!! :)

pharmgirl wrote my words...great advice. During your transition, keep an eye out for a potential mentor. My mentor is someone I trust and has been in nursing for many years, she has helped me more then I can say. Good luck!

I did the same as Lisa. I Paid and scheduled each test, you will study knowing you just forked up $200+ for a exam. There are some study notes out there that might help you made by past Excelsior students (I think one was Lisa arends), you can search the net. Also, look for study guides on Ebay as someone mentioned. Good luck and "Just Do It!":D

LOL!!! Keep us posted!

I worked as a medic for 16yrs before getting my ASN at Excelsior. I used TCN. I didn't know better at the time but they did get me started. Some of their modules are good and help you pass the tests but others do not have all the info needed to pass some. If you want check out a module, look on Ebay first. Excelsior will tell you what you need to do and they are very helpful. If you are going to pay 4, 6 grand for TCN modules it would in your best interest to buy text book required by Excelisor instead. You will use them in the further while you work as a nurse. Good luck and PM with any questions...

A grid are boxes that people make with their mnemonics (for the most part). When you prepare for your PCS, you are allowed and encouraged by the CEs to make a "Grid" on the back of a blank page. The grid allows you to organize your thoughts (the critical elements) and write them down in form of a mnemonic. Then as you do the tasks, you cross them off. If you didn't cross the task off then you have forgotten something which could cause you to fail a PCS. Like some have said, you don't have to use a grid but I would definitely come up with something that will help you organize the tasks you need to do. As simple as, "washing" your hands may seem, it is a failure if you don't do it so sometimes coming up with a mnemonic to make you remember it is just beneficial under pressure. Believe me, the CPNE is all about stress and pressure so you need all the help you can get. The grid is also good to use when you are documenting. Even though you have done a task you must document that you did it at the end of each PCS. It's very hard to explain but once you do it a few times, it's will come naturally. Good Luck with your studies! Attached an example..but you need to make your own mnemonics because you will remember them better... :) Sample GRID.doc

I too used TCN. It is expensive and if I knew what I know now I probably wouldn't have signed up with them but I didn't know. I can't really say anything negative because it got me started on nursing while I worked as a medic (I am an RN now). If anyone did sign up with them, use the modules, they do have a lot of info that do apply to some of the tests. If anyone didn't sign up, do your research first and see if you can do without them, you probably can. Like Lisa S said, use the free study guides form Excelisor, you really can't go wrong there because they provide all the info for all the tests to be studied. There are routes you can take that are cheaper too for example: CLEP tests. Even if you CLEP it, you still have to find the materials to study to pass the tests. It really is about what works for each person but if you are broke, do not use TCN, it's better and cheaper to buy the texts books that you might use for years to come for the exams. There are many study guides out there, however, Excelisor is the most accurate. Just my 2cents.

Being a new grad can be hard. I have heard from many co-workers from a newer nurse of 1-5 years to experienced nurses 15+years who tell me the "1 year" mark is crucial. Once we hit the 1 year mark, things will just click and the blues will be much less. Well, the times you feel "stupid" maybe think differently...maybe say to yourself, I just learned something and it will get better. Hey, I am still a new grad and I am trying every avenue to keep my spirits up and keeping myself from feeling stupid. Doesn't mean I don't still feel it at times and I do think it's just part of being a new grad. And really, you are in the ED my friend...much much to learn! Keep up the good work :)

It's always good to vent! Is there any way you can talk with her; try to explain how you see things and how you guys can come to a compromise. If something isn't done about this, you will no like your job. That would stink.

Steve's post is exactly what I would suggest. Please continue on and try out the CPNE before going to another program. If you put your time in, it will show at the CPNE. You can do this!

Like any other language, if you don't use it after studying it you lose it. I took 3 ASL courses plus deaf culture for my own benefit and have only used ASL 2xs since then in my nursing career. Since I don't sign regularly with the Deaf I would need go back again to refresh and learn again. What ever you decide it's a beautiful and difficult language to learn but worth it for your own knowlege.

It is such a feeling to finally pass the CPNE, I did about a year ago yet it feels like yeterday...celebrate your success!