Someone here asked me to post a review of Rob's CPNE DVD once I received it and watched it, so here is my opinion ...
It's great! :)
There has been some criticism because he's charging money for it, instead of posting it on YouTube or something similar for free. But frankly, I have a slow-ish internet connection at home (WildBlue satellite; we don't have cable or DSL out in the woods on the side of a mountain), and watching it on YouTube would make me insane with the lag time, plus I would exceed my monthly download allowance in just a few days. It's a large file, and would be too big for YouTube. I really needed it to be something I could watch while NOT online. He's offered it as a download (AVI file that will play in Windows Media Player) or as a regular DVD, which worked great for me. Providing both formats, along with setting up a website and allowing large downloads (lotsa bandwidth!), are not free, or even cheap; thus, the charging.
So I have my laptop set up in my practice room so that I can have the DVD going while I walk through my areas of care (AOCs). I have a dummy and all the lab stations in that room. I can post pictures of my set-up, if anyone's interested. It's kinda goofy. :)
Watching another student go through the AOCs has been very helpful for me -- the only alum I personally know did her CPNE in 2001, and doesn't really remember every nitty-gritty detail. So for me, watching Rob's DVD is like practicing with another student.
What Rob did was such a simple but smart thing! Setting up a mock PCS room with a dummy and doing the AOCs on a daily basis will reinforce good habits for the CPNE, and will make the AOCs very familiar when you're actually at the CPNE, doing the PCSs.
Specializes in long term care Alzheimers Patients.
Susie, I'm a visual learner, too -- when I see something done, I remember it better! :) I think that's why I really like this particular tool. As someone else has said, I wouldn't rely on this alone, though I don't think anyone is expecting or trying to do so!! :)
Lunah
Thanks for the input on robc DVD I will plan on getting it soon I also want to wish you luck and Happy Birthday,
The Excelsior DVD isn't worth buying. It walks people through it but does NOT teach the skills, just provides an overview of the process.
And why shouldn't he make money? He's providing a valuable service.
this together?
The Excelsior DVD does explicitly say it's not meant to teach the skills needed but for me it helps to relieve some anxiety in giving me a visual of how it will be set up and a little of what to expect. I'm sorry of your recent experience at the CPNE. Take a little break for yourself to regroup and than jump back on the horse:deadhorse
The Excelsior DVD does explicitly say it's not meant to teach the skills needed but for me it helps to relieve some anxiety in giving me a visual of how it will be set up and a little of what to expect. I'm sorry of your recent experience at the CPNE. Take a little break for yourself to regroup and than jump back on the horse:deadhorse
Yeah, but for $100 it should teach a little something.
Yeah, but for $100 it should teach a little something.
$40 for Rob's is a bargain.
I agree about the EC part! I sort of had the impression that the EC one should teach something too, or at least really walk through an entire PCS or the entire lab, but I did get the sense that I could be successful at it after watching the video, even without being in hands-on nursing care for a while.
I think I'm going to buy Rob's download. I like that he was out of clinical practice like I am currently--it makes me slightly more confident. What's another of my $40 after all the money being knocked down the drain anyway?
Yeah, but for $100 it should teach a little something.
And it shouldn't contain so many mistakes and/or omissions!! I watched it once, then put it away ... I didn't want to get any incorrect stuff into my brain that's probably already full of junk anyway. LOL!! It did give me a sense of the flow, but ... eh.
And it shouldn't contain so many mistakes and/or omissions!! I watched it once, then put it away ... I didn't want to get any incorrect stuff into my brain that's probably already full of junk anyway. LOL!! It did give me a sense of the flow, but ... eh.
You wouldn't know if there is some current compiled list of what the mistakes and omissions are, would you? The reason I ask is because I've watched it, but I'm still in the process of reading the CPNE guide because I'm quite early in my studies, so my mind isn't able to catch the errors quite yet. I've heard the workbook is somewhat useful, though.
Not to my knowledge, but I'm sure someone has done it at one time or another! :)
Since you are the master organizer on the Yahoo group and on the EC EPN boards, I would imagine you'd be the one who would yield this knowledge if it so existed. :typing (No, I'm not stalking you, I promise.)
Thanks for suggesting this dvd.. I will be getting it when it's time! I too am a visual learner and this would help ease my fears. Now if only I could get motivated for my last 3 exams :-/
As to him charging for it.. sure I would love it for free but he took the time to do it and time isn't free. Other people have sold their notes for who knows how much so I don't see how this is much different. This is a hard world and I would have done the same thing if I had a valuable learning tool.
I am usually the repository of trivia, but thus far I haven't found a compilation of mistakes! Maybe WHEN (note: WHEN) I've passed my CPNE, I'll attempt it. :) Before then I don't want anything incorrect getting stuck in my noggin for any reason!
I just finished my 3-day workshop with Tina Logan in PA -- it was absolutely AWESOME! Very individual attention and lots of hands-on PCS practice, which I really wanted -- I mean, I babble at my PCS dummy in the spare room, but she doesn't give me lots of feedback. Tina tells me I'm ready ... I surely hope so! Two weeks from now I'll be on Day 2 of my CPNE.
Tina tells me I'm ready ... I surely hope so! Two weeks from now I'll be on Day 2 of my CPNE. 
Debilpn23
439 Posts
Lunah
Thanks for the input on robc DVD I will plan on getting it soon I also want to wish you luck and Happy Birthday,