I paid the $50 to have the study guide printed and put on paper.
If you do NOTHING else, print pages 411-491.
Everything that you need to pass is on these pages. These are the actual check off sheets that the examiners will be using to check to make sure that you are following things according to the "Excelsior Way."
I am pulling these pages out and taking them with me every where I go.
I strongly recommend doing this- it simplifies everything, and there will be absolutely no question as to what they are looking for, and you will only be studying what you need to know, not all the extra stuff.
This has changed my whole look and studying process here. I am also using Rob's CPNE dvd, but these sheets are the way to go for me.
A grid are boxes that people make with their mnemonics (for the most part). When you prepare for your PCS, you are allowed and encouraged by the CEs to make a "Grid" on the back of a blank page. The grid allows you to organize your thoughts (the critical elements) and write them down in form of a mnemonic. Then as you do the tasks, you cross them off. If you didn't cross the task off then you have forgotten something which could cause you to fail a PCS. Like some have said, you don't have to use a grid but I would definitely come up with something that will help you organize the tasks you need to do. As simple as, "washing" your hands may seem, it is a failure if you don't do it so sometimes coming up with a mnemonic to make you remember it is just beneficial under pressure. Believe me, the CPNE is all about stress and pressure so you need all the help you can get. The grid is also good to use when you are documenting. Even though you have done a task you must document that you did it at the end of each PCS.
It's very hard to explain but once you do it a few times, it's will come naturally.
Good Luck with your studies!
Attached an example..but you need to make your own mnemonics because you will remember them better... :)
No, you have to create it at the CPNE for each patient -- you can't bring it with you. There is extra paper/pages at the end of the Kardex where you can write your grid.
Thanks!!!
2CareerRN
172 Posts
A grid are boxes that people make with their mnemonics (for the most part). When you prepare for your PCS, you are allowed and encouraged by the CEs to make a "Grid" on the back of a blank page. The grid allows you to organize your thoughts (the critical elements) and write them down in form of a mnemonic. Then as you do the tasks, you cross them off. If you didn't cross the task off then you have forgotten something which could cause you to fail a PCS. Like some have said, you don't have to use a grid but I would definitely come up with something that will help you organize the tasks you need to do. As simple as, "washing" your hands may seem, it is a failure if you don't do it so sometimes coming up with a mnemonic to make you remember it is just beneficial under pressure. Believe me, the CPNE is all about stress and pressure so you need all the help you can get. The grid is also good to use when you are documenting. Even though you have done a task you must document that you did it at the end of each PCS.
It's very hard to explain but once you do it a few times, it's will come naturally.
Good Luck with your studies!
Attached an example..but you need to make your own mnemonics because you will remember them better... :)
Sample GRID.doc