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1 year, 1 month, 2 days. First exam was Dec. 2012. First CPNE August 2013 - failed. I knew it would take some time to wait for a CPNE schedule so I tested immediately when I got the chance, not necessarily because I felt I was ready. I am unemployed so the thought of possibly passing and being an RN fast was so appealing to me. Obviously, wrong move. Then I retook CPNE on January 2014 and passed it. Insufficient funds and most of all, my devastated confidence in myself was the reason for the delay of me taking my repeat CPNE.

Wow, Nalon 1, that is very inspiring for those who have been in the program for a while already. Great determination. Congratulations on your achievements.

Hi. I just graduated this February. There are two things I recommend, the practice exams, and the study group 101. I bought some of the recommended books, but I relied mostly on SG101 which was very helpful and an easy read. I disagree with the other who left a comment regarding the college network. I have read so many posts and been to different forums and most comments about the TCN have been nothing but positive. I have not personally used it but based on what I learned, TCN is a waste of money. SG101 is cheap and tested. I actually wish I did not buy too many books but used SG101 more. Please be aware that CPNE is tough. To say it is stressful, is an understatement. Good luck!

Ruby Vee, thank you. This is a great article. You'll never know how much your article helped me. I am a foreign medical graduate with OCD. I never really made a fatal mistake when I was practicing nor training, but the OCD got me so scared of harming others, of making decisions, and of committing mistakes. I decided to settle here in the U.S. when I got married so I could somehow "escape" my profession although I was really earning a lot financially. However, no money would ever make up for the stress that my OCD brought on me while doing my profession. Although I shifted profession and jobs and, positions, and I tried a number already, I never got free from the fear of committing mistakes. Still, I decided to take nursing here because healthcare is really what I know, and the next profession that is closer to what I have been doing. I do have it in mind never to work in a clinical position. I do miss it, though, and just a few days ago, I was telling myself I am tired of being scared. I am actually looking for a therapist now because I really want to beat this OCD out of my life. I was so coward, and got so depressed in the past that I did not want to seek any professional help. I just accepted that I will be like this forever. Your article really helped me a lot. Thank you, and thanks to all those who posted their own "mistake" experiences. They really helped me realized that it is human to commit mistakes.

I agree, MECO 28. What was really tragic about this was that there were two lives lost instead of just one. If only people had been less condemning, and more understanding that all humans commit errors, another life would not have been lost, and another family would not have grieved.

I am sorry to say this, but obviously, the 17 students did not read enough of Excelsior's nursing program before they enrolled. I knew about all the fees and passing rates when I enrolled. Nothing was hidden by Excelsior, not even the CPNE. And, I took my CPNE TWICE. I was devastated, yes, but did not resort to sourgraping because I knew that it is written in the guidelines/policies that the CPNE is an "all or none" pass/fail exam. There is simply no margin for error. My mistakes in my first CPNE was very, very, minor, even silly and dumb, and not "fatal" or would not have caused any injury to any patient if I was left out without an examiner. BUt it is clear in the guidelines, that if you violate any accepted nursing guidelines or the critical elements of the CPNE, you would fail. Also, I understand why the evaluation for CPNE is rigid. It is clear also in the CPNE guidelines that the student nurses will be evaluated in the CPNE for competency as a a "first day GRADUATE student". This, I think, is the reason why there should be no margin for error, because when we pass, we would be graduating (provided all he other requirements are completed, of course). It is not like traditional school where we can go back, and practice some more until we polish it. This program is only for those who can study, and learn by themselves, and Excelsior is there to evaluate our (self) learning. If the 17 students missed reading the information about the program before they enrolled, they must have missed reading the CPNE guidelines, too.

If you want to be scheduled faster, you may want to try the NPAC. I took my CPNE twice and each time, I did not have to wait for a month to get a CPNE schedule. I would say actually, that I got my first CPNE schedule so quick, in hindsight maybe I should not have accepted it because I was not that prepared yet but was afraid of losing a slot. I failed. The second time I applied for CPNE, I applied just a few days before you did, and got my schedule for the 1st weekend of January which I already passed. It was that quick. I received a call like a week after I submitted my application and in 3 weeks time I was testing. They have just recently added schedules at Queens, NY and although I chose to test in Albany this past January, there were also slots available in Queens. So if you are in a hurry to take the test, I suggest you consider NPAC.

Sure. I do not know why the others didn't pass. We did not really talk during the CPNE nor afterwards :) My first PCS, I did a simple back rub to my patient and since she was already seated comfortably, I did the respiratory management, too. Then, I forgot to auscultate again after the deep breathing exercises because my mind was in getting her a book in the opposite far side of the hallway (still as part of my comfort management). By then, I only had 10 minutes left and I had not documented a single thing yet. The second was because my BP did not concur with the CE. So, double check your BP. Third, I declared my vital signs forgetting to fill in the pain level :)

Save yourself money and time. Travelling could add to your stress. If I were you I'd take Flushing site. I took it there for my first CPNE, although I failed, the CE's and CA were nice. I took my second CPNE in Albany which was nice, too. I passed my second CPNE but I would say, it is not really about the place. There were 5 of us who tested in Flushing, but only one passed. The one who passed, even before she passed, said she'll retake there in case she fails because the CEs were nice. I agree but I just wanted anonimity when I retook the exam.

I have been waiting for someone to reply to this question, too. Wait for me, I'll be testing in August, I will let you know. It would be nice though if somebody who had been there share his/ her experience. I am from Hudson county, NJ. I am also wondering if I need to stay in a hotel.

Thanks for the reply, Maria. Nice to know I am not alone on that. Good luck in your exams.

I thought I would be able to view the online workshop of Sheri Taylor in a month's time and be able to retain all by the end of it but today is my last day for my first month subscription and I felt like I need to watch the videos many times again. If money is not a problem I would have registered for it again. Does anybody here subscribed to Sheri Taylor's workshop for more than a month?

I can't thank you enough for the inspiration and motivation you gave me with your testimonies. Thank you so much for the detailed information. My heart was leaping with excitement when I read about all the job interviews you were having, and now the employment. I told you in the past already that I have been looking for a job for more than a year now. Your post really motivated me to press on with my final hurdle with Excelsior, the CPNE. Wow, I can't wait to be there myself. If I do graduate and pass my NCLEX, would your friend Adam accept a resume job from me with the same fee as well? :)

I am currently using Sheri's online workshop. I cannot tell you if it is effective because I haven't taken the exam yet, but the advantage for me is that I get to repeat the videos that I need to see again and again.

Wow, thanks for that information. Yup, it did mess up my study schedule for the whole day. It went back up at night. I tried to send admin an e-mail but even that bounced back. There may have been a problem with their entire system.