Arctophilos

Any really, depends on your learning style. Some are very visual and broken down. But, now having passed the CPNE I would recommend the EC free email and phone in care plans on their site (6 total)...and also taking their Documentation and Care Plan conferences. I believe they should be incorporated into their program. I used all the PCS's from these classes to practice with physically in real time with my dummy and then family. The EC advisors are there for you. Utilize your weekly calls---invaluable! The required Mosby's Nursing DX book will be your bible. As you get your corrected Care Plans back, highlight the Dx and interventions in your book. You can tab your book and highlight for the CPNE---no writing or any other marks. BUT, please do check with your assigned version of the study guide as it changes.

Yes, I agree with Lunah! They are great for camaraderie and support but you can easily get caught up in drama. Your study guide is your bible. Take it apart in sections, labs, critical elements, care plans, ect... Always check on what your peers are telling you and confirm with your EC advisors! They are quick with email replies. Utilize your free care plan phone ins and emails! That's 6 care plan critiques! Use mnemonics for your AOC critical elements. If you use someone else's (I did) make sure they are compliant with your edition of the study guide. Things change all the time. Know your care plans!

Passed the CPNE! It was the hardest, nerve wracking 3 days of my life! I failed two of the labs on Friday night---pure nerves. It was quite comical in retrospect because I opened about 7 pairs of sterile gloves at the wound station! lol Passed all my PCS's--two adult and one ped. Care Plans weren't that bad but take your time in planning. I took the Excelsior Care Plan conference and their Documentation conference---helped sooo much and I highly recommend. I also took advantage of their email Care Plans and phone-in Care Plans --- it wasn't until after the CPNE that I realized that one of my CE's had helped me through one of the phone-in Care Plan conference calls!!! I can still remember what she told me: Evaluation phase: What's the problem---being able to move without SOB is a basic... What happens if I don't fix it---decreased GI motility, atelectasis... What is the long term result---cardiac/respiratory arrest and prolonged hospital stay I hung out on some of the forums ( Excelsior, fb, and allnurses) but the last few weeks I avoided them because they were making me too nervous. If you follow the study guide you will do well. I did use and HIGHLY RECOMMEND using mnemonics and a grid system!!!!!!!!!!! They saved my butt. Don't worry about stepping back and looking at your grid and making sure you got all your critical elements. Put a plan of action on your grid too, although it may change due to interruptions, but at least you have somewhat of a plan. Chart by your mnemonics and grid and you wont fail. Remember to ID! ID! ID! even if you look like a moron and can't remember if you just did or not---do it again!!!!! I am not a nervous person but my mind blanked a few times and I was literally sweating bullets. I was stuck on a care plan and the CE noticed and said---look out the window for a minute...look how sunny it is...it worked! The CE and CA really want you to pass but they have to be fair and make sure you hit your critical elements and really know your stuff. Verbalize everything you're doing. They don't know what you're thinking so show em your thought process. That's it in a nut shell. Good luck to everyone...its been a long journey :)

Passed the CPNE! It was the hardest, nerve wracking 3 days of my life! I failed two of the labs on Friday night---pure nerves. It was quite comical in retrospect because I opened about 7 pairs of sterile gloves at the wound station! lol Passed all my PCS's--two adult and one ped. Care Plans weren't that bad but take your time in planning. I took the Excelsior Care Plan conference and their Documentation conference---helped sooo much and I highly recommend. I also took advantage of their email Care Plans and phone-in Care Plans --- it wasn't until after the CPNE that I realized that one of my CE's had helped me through one of the phone-in Care Plan conference calls!!! I can still remember what she told me: Evaluation phase: What's the problem---being able to move without SOB is a basic... What happens if I don't fix it---decreased GI motility, atelectasis... What is the long term result---cardiac/respiratory arrest and prolonged hospital stay I hung out on some of the forums but the last few weeks I avoided them because they were making me too nervous. If you follow the study guide you will do well. I did use and HIGHLY RECOMMEND using mnemonics and a grid system!!!!!!!!!!! They saved my butt. Don't worry about stepping back and looking at your grid and making sure you got all your critical elements. Put a plan of action on your grid too, although it may change due to interruptions, but at least you have somewhat of a plan. Chart by your mnemonics and grid and you wont fail. Remember to ID! ID! ID! even if you look like a moron and can't remember if you just did or not---do it again!!!!! I am not a nervous person but my mind blanked a few times and I was literally sweating bullets. I was stuck on a care plan and the CE noticed and said---look out the window for a minute...look how sunny it is...it worked! The CE and CA really want you to pass but they have to be fair and make sure you hit your critical elements and really know your stuff. Verbalize everything you're doing. They don't know what you're thinking so show em your thought process. That's it in a nut shell. Good luck to everyone...its been a long journey :)

Awesome Mrs. Mc! Congrats :) As I told Lindsey...just got real didn't it! and you're before me...keep us posted.

Hi Medic, I applied on the 4th...all docs were accepted on the 5th...and I got a cancellation date 10 days later. I'm testing up at Utica on May31st....Lindseyvam also got her date in June at Albany. I emailed the NPAC coordinator introducing myself after my app was accepted and then again a few days later asking if there were any cancellations---she replied that day and I got my confirmation packet that night. Give em a call...lemme know what they say.

Awesome Lindsey! I got my date too...I chose a cancellation for May 31st up at Utica. It just got real for us!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NOOOO! I'm so sorry... I heard they aren't bad from EC though. FYI Keep in mind if you will be transferring to another college/degree program for BSN or MSN...that EC does not have a lab component for these courses. A lot of colleges require a lab component for their programs. I took my Micro and A&P at a local community college and transferred it in---not because of this, its just that I had a degree already. But, this is what I have been hearing from the forums. If you plan to continue your BSN through EC then you're fine I believe.

CPNE bound!

@ cjwilliams..I'm hearing 4-5 months. But I'm hopeful for an earlier cancellation--anywhere! I can't imagine dragging this out for that long.

:) By the way...where are you located in NY? I'm in the Hudson Valley.

Awesome Medic1403! I gave EC a ready date of June 1st. I just scanned the photo passport sheet and they accepted it. I also just scanned and sent the first sheet of the background check--it has our id and password on it so they can access it electronically..they also accepted that. I am so anxious to receive a date..I truly hope it doesn't take too long. Until then, I've been practicing in my makeshift lab and reading the study guide-got it printed at office depot for $40. The March and April EC Careplan conferences are closed...I signed up for May...also going to a workshop in April.

Felt like I memorized all the endocrine disorders...lol...patient care scenarios and questions on the book CD, and the publisher online helped (ThePoint.com) I think its in the inside cover of book). Good Luck :)

Hi again mochasouter! I just answered your question about the FCCA--and I guess this question answers mine about whether or not you are enrolled in EC Nursing Program...lol I agree with natnat122 though, the practice exams are invaluable as are flashcards. There are several free internet flashcard programs---they may even have an Excelsior Repro saved already, but its always good to make your own. I know you can only read and reread so much! Repro and LS2 were the hardest for me.

Hi mochasouter, The FCCA is a two part exam that tests your assessment and managing multiple patient skills. It is taken right before the CPNE. We aren't allowed to talk about it on Allnurses per Excelsior's and Allnurse's policy. You can get expelled for giving out information and we have to sign an honour policy before each exam. We can cheer each other on though :) Look on Excelsior's website and it will explain it. Are you enrolled in Excelsior's Nursing program? You can call the advisors at EC--they're super helpful.