Benefit of CEN?

CEN35 · Mar 10, 2002

benefit? i don't really know? for me it was more of a "you can't do it yet, you have only been out of school a year" type thing. i'm one of those people, don't tell me i can't do something.........or it will get done......lmao! :chuckle so i went took it and passed it! just like my instructors said, er? "you can't get into the er out of school"...... ok guess what wrong thing to say.......so off i went right out of school!

other than an extra $325 a year pay (not really worth it), or as a resume builder.....no advantage.

me :)

nightingale, RN · Mar 10, 2002

now CEN.. doesn't it just make ya feel good?

:) :) :)

CEN35 · Mar 10, 2002

ummmmmm it did at one time. now? ehhhhh??? not even sure if i will go take it again, when it's expired. i don't think anybody; employers or otherwise really care?

me :)

massEDgirl · Mar 11, 2002

WOW CEN35...$325 is better than nothing. Thats what we get for those 3 letters after your name. We also don't get any extra if you have a BSN. Come to think of it...the only thing that matters is the RN after your name. It is mandatory that we have ACLS and PALS and they pay us every two years to renew them. For me getting my CEN and TNCC was just a personal accomplishment.

CEN35 · Mar 13, 2002

yes i know.......that little bit of money is better than nothing.

although, i was told the november i registered for it if i passed they pay, if i don't they won't. well i was scheduled to take it the following april, and they said the new budget only paid for mandatory stuff. so $238 for the test, plus some books, and my time, and needing 100 ceu's every 4 years............do the math?

$238 test, then probably $50 in books, then the ceu's which probably amounted to $550. so now it took $838 right? subtract that from $1300 ($325 x 4 years), = $462. which is $115.50 a year, or 0.06 cents an hour! awesome!!!

me :)

mitchx5 · Mar 15, 2002

I am now in the process of renewing my CEN by open book renewal. My hospital pays for the exam, and I have been lucky that I have had all open book recerts. If I had to pay for it myself , I would not renew as I do not receive anything extra salary-wise, and I do not obtain that many CEUs every 4 years.

CEN35 · Mar 15, 2002

mitch,

i know how that goes......i have 127 ceu's in the 4 year period (cen period), in which only 91 of them count towards it. i have about 17 ceu's, 2 months prior to the start of that period that i cannot use also. it does get a little irritating!!

me :)

p.s. - it's 71 degrees here today!!!

MQ Edna · Mar 16, 2002

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. Still haven't made my mind up 100% yet, but I', leaning toward giving it a try.

nightingale, RN · Mar 16, 2002

Nothing ventured.... nothing gained....

enjoy whatever it is that you do!.

B.

Trauma Columnist · Mar 22, 2002

I did just did it for personal satisfaction, nothing else. Our ED requires CPR, ACLS and one peds course. (I'm the overachiever and I have ENPC, PALS, BTLS, pre-hospital RN, lead EMS instructor, trauma nurse specialist (special course in Illinois), and will challenge TNCC in May. No extra money coming my way though. However, like CEN35, that's pretty much how I'd figure it up too!!!