Where are each of you in the EC program?

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Nov 30, 2004

Have you checked out the EC site now that you are registered and can get into the EPN. They have chats with "facilitators"....

Just an opinion from an old fogey---- those chats are wonderful and I suggest to everyone to really try and make it to them, particularly for the CPNE chats. If you can't, you can get the chat transcripts on the EPN site.

Rnstudygroup didn't do chats when I was hanging out around there. What a great idea!! Those moderators sure have their $hit together. :)

willtm · Nov 30, 2004

You must be a member of rnstudygroup at yahoo. Once you are there you ask for an invite to which ever test you are studying for..Invite for NC2. You will then get an email with the link to the subgroup for that test. The study chats are in the chatroom for the subgroup.

Hope this helps:)

I have a question regarding the study groups. How does one get into or invited into a study group?

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Nov 30, 2004

I finally got to log on to the EPN board - had some technical difficulties, but everything is smooth sailing now. I read some of those transcripts and thought some points were really helpful.

I have a question for you, Spazzy Nurse, since you labeled yourself as an "old fogey" (which means to me, 'oh wise one of many experiences' :chuckle ) - In those facilitators chats, can students clarify information found in the required textbooks? I have been dutifully reading all my books and have found some contradictions of small tidbits between books. Are we allowed to ask a facilitator a specific question? If not, what is the appropriate way to get clarification on conflicting facts?

I appreciate your advice!

:balloons:

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Nov 30, 2004

In those facilitators chats, can students clarify information found in the required textbooks? I have been dutifully reading all my books and have found some contradictions of small tidbits between books. Are we allowed to ask a facilitator a specific question? If not, what is the appropriate way to get clarification on conflicting facts?

I never was in a nurse facilitated chat for the NC exams (wish I would have) so I'm not sure how those run. I know that for the CPNE chat it would be fine to ask something like that, and people did. If the nurse didn't know it (usually they did) they would find the answer for you.

Sometimes it's frustrating not having a teacher to ask. :uhoh3:

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 1, 2004

Thanks for responding Spazzy Nurse. To be honest with you, I prefer to not have a teacher - if I have a question, I'll find it myself - facilitates learning & remembering on my part. The only thing is when I find different answers from different sources! This is the first time this has happened. I guess I'll just get in touch with an instructor at EC and see what I can find! I've got to get an answer soon though, I have my NC3 test next Thursday!!! Yikes!! :uhoh3:

Again, thanks for your help- I do appreciate it

:balloons:

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Dec 1, 2004

I agree--- I think that the research part really DOES help one to learn. But on occasion there would be something that I just could not find, or like you said--- something that has a couple of conflicting answers, and it'd be nice to just have someone to ask.

Best of luck on NC3. :)

Medic2RN, BSN, RN, EMT-P · Dec 2, 2004

I agree with you there. I'll talk to EC and see if I can get some clarification.

Thanks for the luck - I'll let ya know how it goes! :)

:balloons:

Spazzy Nurse, RN · Dec 2, 2004

Yes, please do. And good luck! That's a real pain sometimes. It's like it disrupts your studying or something. :rolleyes:

Justmeandmycat · Dec 2, 2004

I am just begining with EC and I was looking to get a post going with any other new EC students wanting to share. I'm not looking to set up a formal study group just a chance for any interested EC students to find others who may be working on the same NC. I am starting with NC1 and then MAYBE micro, depends on how strong I feel :)
Opal

Hi. It was good of you to start this thread, particularly since I am so brand new to all of this. This is for all of you experienced smarties out there. I am waiting now to get my transcripts to reviewed to see what I need to do so I'm not quite into it yet, but expect to be up to my neck shortly! I'm pretty sure I'll just end up having to do A&P and the nursing concepts classes since I have a slew of credits from a previous life (before LPN school). My question is this: exactly how much clinical experience do you need to get through the CPNE? Are the clinicals from LPN school enough? I graduated LPN at the top of the class in Jan. 2004. Ended up having surgery right after graduating which threw me off of the hiring cycle for LPNs for the nursing homes in the area. The hospitals aren't hiring. So I figured I would put the do it to it and try EC in the meantime.

I do have to find some work to finance the whole thing and I can probably get into a nursing home as an LPN where I worked before as a CNA but am reluctant to do so, knowing all their problems. My other thought is to get EKG and phlebotomy behind me so I can work as a PCTand be in the acute care environment where I can see more. The hospitals are hiring those at least. Maybe I could get a nurse tech position if I had that EKG and phlebotomy behind me and proof of my enrollment in EC for "student status". Which is the best way to go? Or am I barking up the wrong tree with any of these plans? Should I even try EC at this time? I'm not in the position to make any mistakes. Please advise. This is my last hurrah before throwing in the nursing towel, since the traditional schools here will not except a BA and other credits that are more than 10 years old. (unable to move.) Would welcome peoples input. This bulletin board has answered so many things for me since I'm stuck in the sticks (rural area.) Thank you all!

BBFRN, BSN, PhD · Dec 2, 2004

Hi- most hospitals will train you in tech orientation for EKG/phleb, so you might not have to get those first if you decide to tech at a hospital. Maybe you can get them to allow you to do a nurse externship once you are so far along. That will help you get nursing clinical experience while you study. Ask your local hospitals what they're offering in externships- the pay might be more for that than tech pay- I know in my hospital it is. Good luck to you!

opalmRN · Dec 2, 2004

I guess it depends on where you live and the LTC issue. I have a p/t job with a LTC facility and I can't say enough. The facility is excellent and I attribute that to the administration. The resident load is more than I'm used to at the hospital but I know it's just a matter of time and I'll be fine. Unless LTC facilities in your neck of the woods are just not acceptable, I wouldn't rule that out as they may be more flexible with scheduling etc.. which is a big plus while trying to complete school.

Feel free to pm me if you like.

Opal

Hi. It was good of you to start this thread, particularly since I am so brand new to all of this. This is for all of you experienced smarties out there. I am waiting now to get my transcripts to reviewed to see what I need to do so I'm not quite into it yet, but expect to be up to my neck shortly! I'm pretty sure I'll just end up having to do A&P and the nursing concepts classes since I have a slew of credits from a previous life (before LPN school). My question is this: exactly how much clinical experience do you need to get through the CPNE? Are the clinicals from LPN school enough? I graduated LPN at the top of the class in Jan. 2004. Ended up having surgery right after graduating which threw me off of the hiring cycle for LPNs for the nursing homes in the area. The hospitals aren't hiring. So I figured I would put the do it to it and try EC in the meantime.
I do have to find some work to finance the whole thing and I can probably get into a nursing home as an LPN where I worked before as a CNA but am reluctant to do so, knowing all their problems. My other thought is to get EKG and phlebotomy behind me so I can work as a PCTand be in the acute care environment where I can see more. The hospitals are hiring those at least. Maybe I could get a nurse tech position if I had that EKG and phlebotomy behind me and proof of my enrollment in EC for "student status". Which is the best way to go? Or am I barking up the wrong tree with any of these plans? Should I even try EC at this time? I'm not in the position to make any mistakes. Please advise. This is my last hurrah before throwing in the nursing towel, since the traditional schools here will not except a BA and other credits that are more than 10 years old. (unable to move.) Would welcome peoples input. This bulletin board has answered so many things for me since I'm stuck in the sticks (rural area.) Thank you all!

kesneysmom · Dec 2, 2004

Hello everyone!! I am working on NC2 as we speak!! I have only taken NC1 made a B still have all my pre-reqs and NC2-7 to complete. I will be here forever and ever.