Many people anticipate the day they get their CPNE exam date and then start to worry and panic. As with anything else, preparation can help you sail right through this obstacle. There are tons of cpne preparation tips that you can find to get ready for the exam but here are some of the more important CPNE preparation tips that will definitely make you feel more prepared and less nervous.
o If you are traveling out of state to take your exam, please arrive a couple of days before the exam and leave a day or two after. You do not want to be running to the hospital on the first day, or hurrying through your last PCS to run to the airport on the third day!
o Make sure you eat before the exam. A lot of people report nausea from the nerves, but try your best to eat balanced meals, or at a minimum, a banana.
o Studying is definitely a priority before taking the CPNE exam. Remember, there are 3 stages to the CPNE exam-Planning, Implementation, & Evaluation.
o Enroll in a CPNE workshop. Clinical preparation workshops are a great way to provide you with a realistic, hands-on, high-quality training experience plus give you enough CPNE preparation tips to get you through the weekend.
Here are some CPNE preparation tips to consider once you have started the CPNE exam at the hospital.
o TRUST your mnemonics. Do not stray from your grid. Keep your grid in viewable distance the entire time.
o If you have a question about anything, ASK THE CE. The worst they can do is tell you that they cannot answer the question. They may even give you a partial answer that guides you in the right direction.
o Bring the MAR into the room with you to document when you give meds. This will save you time.
o You should keep a good amount of gloves in your pocket. Put on a glove whenever you have doubts (touching washcloth, bag tubing, tray, etc.) even if you wouldn’t in real life. Be sure to remove gloves if contaminated before touching something else in room, such as the curtain or bathroom doorknob, or your pen.
o ID your patient from the MAR and bracelet IMMEDIATELY before administering any drug or performing wound care.
o DO NOT do something you are not assigned. This gets lots of people into trouble. You have 2.5 hours to complete each patient assignment. There are some people who come and do more than assigned. They have no plan and they document things they were not supposed to or even document things twice.
o Always remember that if you do not document it, then you did not do it.
The main thing to remember about the CPNE is that Excelsior wants things done their way, which may not be the way you’re used to doing things in the field. Just because you have been an LPN for 15 years doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t need to study just as hard as the RTs and Paramedics. Every step you do must be preceded and followed by the steps they see fit.
When getting ready for the dreaded day, the best thing you can do for yourself is to take a hands-on workshop, be it through Excelsior or a private workshop. Join forums on the internet and ask others for their CPNE preparation tips. A surprising amount of people that have passed the CPNE still frequent the forums just to help others out. Take advantage of the tips they can provide you. Good luck to everyone. My thoughts are with you.
By: Viktoria Grace Lindskog
About the Author:
For cpne preparation tips check out http://www.cpneworkshop.com They offer a thorough three day hands-on workshop that boasts a 94% pass rate. Or, if you choose to forgo the hands-on practice, they offer a series of CPNE study material including a CPNE Study Guide, a CPNE Careplan book, a CPNE Drug Calculations book and a CPNE DVD.
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