Question for Excelsior RN Grads

Sweecy · Apr 20, 2011

A lot of RN where I used to work did excelsior and they are great, respectable nurses. The DON went that route. I'm in ATL area and just started excelsior I need a study bud, any idea where I can find them on this site

gracytom · Apr 20, 2011

I would like to have a study buddy for my CPNE . I completed all requirements for Rn with excelsior college. But I failed 2 times for CPNE. I want to know the technique of passing CPNE. I studied a lot and practiced but when time come I forget some critical elements. Anyone can help me with this. Gracy mathew

sunrock · Apr 21, 2011

You need to make a grid and follow it to the tee. after you receive report ask rn questions, i.e., last pain med, if pt. teaching assigned, and that is now being asked to be done on assessments not only meds, know what you would teach for pva, wound assessment, etc. Prioritize, that is if 9am meds, perform your vs 1/2 hr. before going in. Do not spend more than 20 mins. in the planning phase, get 2 assessments done before breakfast,k so that when the pt. is eating you can be documenting, leave a note on tray so that the kitchen does not remove the tray. Do not trouble shoot any equipment, id your pt. before all meds and again before an iv piggyback, and of course during 20 min. check. Do not be argumentative with instructyor, this happened last weekend. Look in your area for a EC grad. student, post on epn board for one. You must memorize your CE, frequently used care plans(and reuse same careplans if assigned the same aoc) do not reinvent the wheel, keep interventions simple. Read some of the old journals from 2008=2009, narratives, rationals, read the chat room transcripts, practic ewriting everything from m emory, memorize your steps for the labs, if any more questions send me a private email, i will get back to your.

gracytom · Apr 21, 2011

Thank you for your reply and advice. I would like to know how do I make grid. I thought I know all about medication administration and I always give meds. Still I forgot to check ID band right before I gave meds. I was thinking about that when I went to take meds. I feel so depressed now and I have only one more chance for CPNE. Please help me in this matter. I prayed before test. I couldnot sleep at night. I donot know that is the problem . I am seeking advice in this matter. gracy.:redbeathe

Lisa1980 · Apr 22, 2011

Yes I felt I was prepared. Very thourough. Passed CPNE first try and no repeats! That's the most difficult part of the program. Good Luck!

Sweecy · Apr 22, 2011

Congrats Lisa, share with us how you got ready for your CPNE, what/where did you use for your successful first time. I'm not there yet, but it's good to know now and Gracy can use some tips. Good luck Gracy, I feel your pain. If you don't have a deadline, I would advice you to not rush it and really use all that is giving to you. Keep us posted of your progress, I will truly pray for you. You wouldn't come this far just to fail, you ll make it just give your best"est". Good luck.

gracytom · Apr 22, 2011

Hi Lisa,

Congratulations for your passing first time. What is the secret of that? What you did special way. Did you make the grid that everybody is talking about? I attended the workshop and I bought skills kit to practice. I did not write down the steps to give medication. I thought I know about it. At that moment I forgot . I think I was nervous that time. Is any relaxation technique to decrease my anxiety. I have to take CPNE third time. Isn't a shame? Thank you for your advice. Gracy

meme048 · Apr 22, 2011

I would like to have a study buddy for my CPNE . I completed all requirements for Rn with excelsior college. But I failed 2 times for CPNE. I want to know the technique of passing CPNE. I studied a lot and practiced but when time come I forget some critical elements. Anyone can help me with this. Gracy mathew

Well first off since this is your last try, I would not take the Cpne until you know your critical elements like you can say your own address. I went to Tina's workshop in Pa. She really helped me to get my charting and care plans down so when I was at cpne I didn't even have to think about it I knew what I needed to chart and how to do it.

I would practice everyday. I printed out the papers from the study guide that we would be using during cpne so I became familiar with them. I'd go through my lab stations twice a day, timing myself, charting(signing name on lab paper) and learn your mneumonics. I would make up pt. scenarios and put it right on the cpne paper work, I would knock on my kids door also used husband and dog when they got tired of my practicing. I would introduce myself and go through all my areas of care charting and careplaning. I would grade myself when I was done. I was very prepared when I went, but use your mneumonics on a grid your nerves can cause you to go blank sometimes, so if you have them as a reminder to yourself it helps.

sunrock · Apr 23, 2011

Thank you for your reply and advice. I would like to know how do I make grid. I thought I know all about medication administration and I always give meds. Still I forgot to check ID band right before I gave meds. I was thinking about that when I went to take meds. I feel so depressed now and I have only one more chance for CPNE. Please help me in this matter. I prayed before test. I couldnot sleep at night. I donot know that is the problem . I am seeking advice in this matter. gracy.:redbeathe

A grid is your personal paper to transscribe everything that is on your assignment on to your grid> a grid is making 12 boxes (similar to tic tac toe, ) at the very top write the time that your pc will end, name of instructor, and room number/name of pt.Ok nor in the next box write the mneumonic wigas= wash hands, introduce self and instructor, gloves, aspirate and smile. To help your pc run smoothly, after your 20 min. check and after you have recorded and shown it to the ce, please, please do your hydration and ask pt. if they have any pain and have to pee. This is key, why, so that in the even t that you have abod. assessment and or wound mang. you will not now have to stop and have the pt. medicate, then have to wait 20-30 mins. wasting time. that is why it always good to read the old journals. Now havingh said that, back to journals, 2nd box is for fluids(hidet) hydration, infiltration, dislocation, edema and temp. box 3 is rn questions, these are quest. that you formulated durin g your plan. phase to ask after receiving report. ex: loast pain med, LIB= how much is left in the iv bag, in the event that the ce did not indicate if you hav an iv, if pt. teaching find out what she taught, this will prepare you that you will either be reinforcing or teaching for the first time., how does pt. take their meds, whole or crushed, if yoiu have to change a dressing how many 4 x 4, abd, kind of tape etc. DO YOU GET THE PIX, this will save you time looking for rn later, who may be busy. get the vbital signs for that mornin g, if she does not have it the ce will get it for you, , this loine of questioning shows the ce that you are on the ball. box 4 is for last vs and your(so divide this box in 2). the remainder boxes is for your other aoc, and you must write your mneumonic next to it, do this for all that you are assigned even 9am meds. write mobility and scab in tyhe last 2 boxes, so that you will not forget to document on mobility. Next scab is your exit checki. Now during your planning phase highlight all narratives you are assigned and write your mneumonics next to them, before leaving room, go to your selected aoc and CROSS OFF EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE DONE. LSO HIGHLIGHT RATIONALE ON YOUR EVAL. PAGE. Regarding meds. say the 5 rights alound as yoiu pour, this is to keep you focus not for the ce AND PLEASE REMEMBER TO CHECK FOR EXPIRATION DATE, anything else. Pts. must be id's before meds, before heplock flush, before ivpb and of course as you know in the lab you just did it, WHEN THE CE ASK FOR THE IVPB ON A LIVE PT. "ARE YOU READY FOR ME TO START THE PUMP SAY NO, I HAVE TO ID MY PT." anymore ??

nursehollins · Sep 1, 2011

Hey Guys

I need a study buddy as well in atl area...test date 12/16/11 at Grady Memorial. Please email me if available for study [email protected]. Thanks

cometnurse · Sep 2, 2011

I passed the CPNE in 2008. I do feel that I was prepared when I graduated. Obviously, a new grad is never prepared for everything they will come across but I felt comfortable. It also helps that I had been in the nursing field for some time and have worked side by side with other LPN's and RN's (as Im sure you do too). I was not dissapointed with my education.

My CPNE advice: Always #1- ID your patient before doing anything at all. I walked into a room and said "Hello Mr Jone" and he answered back and we chatted small talk for a moment. I then proceded to do his vitals and got walked right out of the room because I had not actually looked at this ID band. Thankfully after the instructor came back( she had to discuss it with someone else) she let me go back in the room and start again. By then I knew what I had done wrong and everything else went fine. My heart had dropped, I was so scared I was going to fail that one!

And buy the Critical Elements flashcards and take them with you everywhere you go! Recite them by memory over and over and over and over and over (you get the idea). I recited them to myself in the shower, in the car, on my walks, read them on the bus, until I was absolutley certain I had them firm in my memory. If you miss one step of these elements in the PCS at CPNE, you will not pass it. And when you get to your careplan and find out which critical element subjects you will be using, I wrote each and every one of the steps out on an extra piece of paper so when I got into the room, I would not have to think about them from memory( i thought the pressure would make me forget). I just looked at my paper while I was with the patient and crossed them out as I completed them.

Sorry, I may have gotten off subject there. Good luck with your education plans. Im sure you will do great

Hayley