Workshop 2 weeks before CPNE.. is it too late?

caliotter3 · Jan 3, 2010

There were a couple of people in my workshop who were taking the workshop about three weeks before their date. I know that one person did not pass. She seemed overwhelmed by the whole thing, was not from a nursing background. Two weeks prior could help you with your practice of the labs and consolidate things for you, but, of course, four to six weeks prior would be ideal. Good luck.

NC Girl BSN · Jan 3, 2010

Do yourself a favor and read the study guide from front to back and get some great mneumonics. If 8 weeks is not enough time for you then reschedule. Don't rush this $2000 test.

IMO. If your going to Lynns workshop then you should go early in your studies because she basically tells you how to get started.Its a very basic workshop and not that intense. She give you mnuemonics that she used and tells you how to set up your lab at home. She talks about how to write a basic careplan and gives you homework overnight. Shes also shows you her lab video and gives you an opportunity to practice. I think your gonna be disappointed if you go 2 weeks before the test because its geared towards beginners.

I studied for the CPNE for a good 4 months solid. I went to Lynns workshop in the beginnning to figure what the process was going to be like. I read the manual from head to toe and took out the critical elements section. I learned my mnemonics FIRST and Practice writing and performing a few daily. I then started on careplans and doceumentation.In between all this I practiced my labs. Finally during the last month I was pulling it all together. I also took the EC careplanning and documentation workshop to make sure I was doing it right. I lived on the EPN board and asked lots of questions and read it religiously.

I suggest getting Robs video and using some of his mneumonics. They were easy to remember. I also suggest like Lunah to watch Vanessa video's on Youtube. I sold her all my EC supplies when I finished and she did a great job perfecting her labs. She passed with no repeats and she prepared for at least 4 months if not longer.

Good Luck to you but please don't rush the process and miss critical things that gonna help you pass the test. I recommend 4-6 months to prepare and let it all soak it because the CPNE can really be confusing. It really didn't come together for me until about 2 weeks before I went. Maybe I am slow or an airhead but if you don't know that CPNE studyguide like the back of your hand, you will not pass. I passed Dec 2008 with no repeats and I deserved it because I put alot of time and effort into my studies. Again good luck! You have alot to think about.

erinp88 · Jan 3, 2010

NC_Girl: Thanks for your thoughtful response!! I am going to spend this week trying to grasp my head around what's going on! My husband is dead set on me not changing my date...so it's adding extra pressure to this entire situation.

I just ordered Rob's video to get me started. I've read the study guide and looked over the critical elements portion.. I will be rereading it in very specific detail over the next few days. I've also been viewing Vanessa's videos on YouTube. She does a great job! I After this week, I go down to working 1-2 days per week and I don't have kids, so I'm hoping I can pull it together. If I am not feeling good about things by the end of this week, then hopefully I can convince my husband that it's necessary..

The Excelsior workshop you did was that the online one? I am considering doing the skills/and care planning one online because I can't seem to make a workshop workout for me.

jlrevis · Jan 4, 2010

Erin, email me....I have been at work for the last 5nights and unable to view facebook.

erinp88 · Jan 4, 2010

Erin, email me....I have been at work for the last 5nights and unable to view facebook.

Oops! Sorry about that! Wish I would've saw it early! Please don't work 5 nights in a row again! I need you so I have someone to freak out on!

Erin

NC Girl BSN · Jan 4, 2010

NC_Girl: Thanks for your thoughtful response!! I am going to spend this week trying to grasp my head around what's going on! My husband is dead set on me not changing my date...so it's adding extra pressure to this entire situation.
I just ordered Rob's video to get me started. I've read the study guide and looked over the critical elements portion.. I will be rereading it in very specific detail over the next few days. I've also been viewing Vanessa's videos on YouTube. She does a great job! I After this week, I go down to working 1-2 days per week and I don't have kids, so I'm hoping I can pull it together. If I am not feeling good about things by the end of this week, then hopefully I can convince my husband that it's necessary..
The Excelsior workshop you did was that the online one? I am considering doing the skills/and care planning one online because I can't seem to make a workshop workout for me.

The EC workshops were the online ones. I heard the skills one is good too. I signed too late to take it. If you can afford it take them they were very helpful. Also go with your heart and don't listen to your hubby. He has no clue on how hard this test is. It can be done in 2 months but its alot of pressure. You can change for free now but if you wait too long they will charge you.Keep us posted. We are rooting for you!

smitty10 · Jan 4, 2010

hey there erin, i glad to read that you have a date. i remember you were upset earlier about their sweettime they were taking to get you scheduled. did you have to call them again or did they get in touch with you? i just sent off my package and i'm a little anxious.

erinp88 · Jan 4, 2010

hey there erin, i glad to read that you have a date. i remember you were upset earlier about their sweettime they were taking to get you scheduled. did you have to call them again or did they get in touch with you? i just sent off my package and i'm a little anxious.

Plan on getting scheduled on your ready date. I picked an "early" ready date because they said it is taking 6-8 months from the time your application is accepted. I figured there was no way I'd get it at 4 exactly....but I did and now have 10 weeks to prepare. I applied to all the Wisconsin and Ohio sites.

The scheduler is not helpful at all... The person that answers the phone is very friendly, but there's nothing she can really do for you. It took them just about 2 months to get me scheduled.....the only reason I called to bug them was because of having to provide my work with pretty advance notice.......and guess what, it's a mess now because of getting this date! It is pretty much impossible for me to attend a workshop at a "reasonable" price. None of the schedules align with what I need and if it does, I would pay loads of money in airfare.

Let me know if you need the number to call the MPAC. The 800 number they have posted does not work.. I informed them of that, and they said they had no clue! I find that hard to believe since I attempted to call a few times over this past summer (to check on wait times) and got the same result when calling "all circuits busy."

Feel free to PM me smitty!! It's nice connecting with other Michigan people!

erinp88 · Jan 4, 2010

The EC workshops were the online ones. I heard the skills one is good too. I signed too late to take it. If you can afford it take them they were very helpful. Also go with your heart and don't listen to your hubby. He has no clue on how hard this test is. It can be done in 2 months but its alot of pressure. You can change for free now but if you wait too long they will charge you.Keep us posted. We are rooting for you!

No, he doesn't understand how hard it is. He keeps telling me that I get worked up over things all the time and always do a good job, so why would this be any different? I keep trying to tell him it's not a test to see how smart I am. That and he is just ready for us to move on with our lives.

I'm just waiting for my confirmation packet and will probably ride it out to the deadline until I decide on what to do!

Thanks for your support!