CEN exam

[neneRN]

I've scheduled an appt to take the CEN exam. So, anyone's who's taken it- is it impossible? Did you pass the first time around? How long had you been working in the ER? How much and what kind of preparation did you do to pass? I've done a review course and am studying review books, but I'd like to hear about personal opinions/thoughts on the exam. Thanks!

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

Lots of questions about prioritizing care, esp disaster/mass casualty incidents vs regular ER triage. The exam really did cover the biggies, i.e. the most common or most critical processes/illnesses- not too many obscure questions. Also seemed like I had a lot of questions on mechanism of action for drugs, but again the more common ones. My old nursing instructor told me to make sure I reviewed organophosphate poisoning and antidote (Atropine) and sure enough there were 2 or 3 questions on that.

Out of the 175 questions, 25 of them did not count, as they are only asked to test questions out for future exams; however, these are randomly scattered throughout the exam. You need 109 correct to pass the test. So many of the questions, I could easily eliminate 2 answers and would have 2 correct answers left and had to try to figure out which was the most correct-so I just stuck with the very basics-ABCs, and I guess that worked out since I passed!! Good luck!

[purplemania, BSN, RN]

Congrats!!! A real accomplishment and you should be proud of yourself. We are.

[ellencrn]

:chuckle i recently took the CEN and passed. i thought it was just a test of thinking things through and going with gut feelings. i have been a nurse since the invention of sliced bread (almost, feels like it!!) and just take a deep breath. the mosby was the most helpful review.

GOOD LUCK!!!