JKohler

Hello all, I don't write much but wanted to put my two cents in. I was in Amarillo Sept 7-9. Unfortunately I did not go home with the big prize. However....I wanted to say the experience was wonderful. The CA and CE's all were very encouraging throughout the exam. The reasons I failed were valid and it was no ones fault but mine. I will not go into details but my first 2 PCS's were adults and I failed both of them which sent me home on Sunday. The first one was on my evaluation phase, and the second was on intake and output...I had a total brain fart and did not measure half the liquids took in by patient...Jello, popsicle" Anyway I have sent in another application and plan on taking it again in Amarillo. May I also say I selected Racine because I heard good things...when I recieved my date it showed Amarillo and I was a bit apprehensive but once I got there and meet the staff it was fine. There will be a representative from the Albany office, and also a rep from the 1 of the 3 PAC (performance application centers) there during the testing...so there is really no way they can be unfair in testing. It seems my Ce's consulted the higher up when there was an issue and they will discuss it before they come out and speak with you. Anyway again it was great, i'll chalk it up to a learning experience and drive on.

SPAC & MPAC, there is a 5-7 month wait. Got an email reply to that very question. I mentioned that I wanted to take the exam as soon as possible...hence my inquiry to all three centers. MPAC mentioned that on your application ticket for MPAC...you can write in willing to take at site available the soonest. For example you checked marked Racine, WI however you find out that Plano will be testing a month earlier. They will notify you of such.

Thanks Rehab nurse, Index cards are a great idea. I have a few more boxes to fill. It took me 2 whole days to complete the ones i have. Wanted it to work for me and my brain. Anyway when done;;; I plan to try and practice the CEs at work with my patients. I think that is the one thing that gets us LPN/LVN types with years of practice. We have our routines at work on how to do things to get the work done. A days work is not always step 1-2-and 3 in the real world. I will have to retrain myself. I'll check my email. Thanks Jackie

Hi where are you choosing to go for the CPNE? I can't decide where I want to go. I live in TExas but am leaning towards Racine, Wisconsin. Any suggesting from anyone whose recently taken the CPNE on sites?

Question about the grid. I've heard it said to know your grid. I am working on mine for all areas of care...it comes out to about 24 squares, typed. Am I not allowed to take my completed sheet to the CPNE and use it there. Or does it mean I better memorize the GRID because I will have to rewrite ( on areas of care) given to me during the PCS? Thanks Jackie

Hi all, :welcome: Getting ready for the CPNE, I recieved the study guide yesterday and have just started looking through it. Can anyone tell me what is the GRID and where can I get one? Is it in the book? I have heard of this item in some threads but don't know how to get one started? Please help.

Hi all, I am in the process of getting all my stuff together for applying CPNE. In the past threads I have heard about a GRID. I looked in the CPNE study guide but can not find it. Is there a template anyone knows about?> If I am to make if for myself does anyopne have any guidelines? Thank you very much. Congrats on everyones progress. Jackie

Hi there, I live in San Antonio...I do know there is an agency that does contract nursing/travel called intellistaff. They work with all the hospitals here in San Antoe. To work for them at Wilford Hall Medical Center ( Air Force Hospital) they pay $31.00 an hour.

I am prior Army with 9 1/2 years enlisted. In a few years I will be done with my BSN, thinking about joining AF nurse corp. I have heard that the Air Force doesn't like to move you every 3-4 years like the army does. How true is this? I live in San Antonio and own a home there. I really don't want to go anywhere else. What's the possiblilty of me doing 2 tours there at least? Wilford Hall...

I use this website called ecampus.com, they will do a search using the ISBN, and then you can do a compare prices for that book available in all bookstores; B&N, wal-mart, powell's, amazon, half.com e.t.c

I've only taken NC1 and have bought the "required books" up to NC3. I did not purchase them through the school though...I shopped on-line for used books and save dquite a bit of money. I figured buying the books that would match the required readings would be easier than fishing through an old book and it maybe not having exactly what they wanted you to study. One example...I started buying books 4-5 months ago, according to the Excelsior book store required books. In December I started studying for NC1...I went to read the pharmacology book I bought way back when...using a new content guide I just recieved in the mail and realized they updated their books, different author e.t.c.. I had the hardest time finding the required reading in the old book. Ended up selling it and getting the new one.

Just remember 3 hrs is a lot of time for an exam that has 160 questins. I was able to carefully read the question 2-3 times, go over the answers and choose one. When I was done answering all the questions...I still had and 75 minutes left!! So iwent and took a potty break, stretched my back and went through the whole test again making sure I was happy with the answer I chose. BREATHE... :)

Congrats!! :balloons: How many question were there? I'll take moine in 8 weeks or so.

I passed NC1. It wasn't as bad as I thought. It wasactually easier tahn the practice exams I took. I'm so relieved, now it's on th NC2 in 8 weeks!!