CEN exam tomorrow!

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in Emergency, neonatal, pediatrics.

I'm taking the CEN examination tomorrow...any last minutes hints or tips from your own exam taking experience?

Cheers,

Josh

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No last minute studying. Go to bed early tonight and get a good nights sleep. Show up for the exam in a crabby mood if possible. It sounds strange, but I find I am much less intimidated by an exam if I develop a little attitude.

Most of the CEN questions are fairly straight foreward, so focus on reading the question and making sure you know what it is asking. Hopefully you have done several practice eams and know how to test well.

Lets us know how it goes. Good luck.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.

First of all, try to relax. The amount of questions will wear you down mentally if you do not get a good night sleep. Remember your ABC's-no matter what the right answer may seem, choose the answer that prioritizes airway, breathing, circulation... (in that order) if it is an option. Brush up on some peds (worked in only adult ED) because I found a fair amount of that on the test this past March. Trauma, if I remember correctly, was emphasized. And, I think, there was a question concerning time frames and dosages for a thrombolytic (don't think it was tPa). Also, there were a couple of diseases I never heard of before (& certainly can't remember), so they were probably ped related & some ortho-type ones. Sorry I can't recall more specifics for you.

Don't sweat over every question because 50 (I think) of them don't count.

GOOD LUCK TO YOU

Let us know how things go.

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Good luck...I did the CEN in 1998 with two years of level one experience. I did fine and felt very sure that we were providing good care. (That was a nice extra). You do find out immediately too which is nice. Good luck.

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

IF you INSIST on studying tonight - do some review of chapter summations.

Otherwise, call it an evening. Relax, good meal, hot bath and excellent sleep are very valuable.

At this point, you will either KNOW IT or NOT KNOW IT.

I'll bet that you are going to do fine.

I found the exam pretty straightforward - studied very little, reviewed for 1 - 2 hours and went and took the exam. Passed the exam 5 months after NCLEX. Think I got 139 out of the 150 possible. No problems. Due to recert this year! Will take the exam - even though I have the hours, I just think the exam makes more sense!

This exam is going to hit on the essentials of Emergency Nursing. Without knowing your exact background, I'd bet that if you have been at this a little while, have enjoyed reading and have ACLS, PALS, NRP, ENPC and TNCC under your belt - it will be pie. It is also very "doable" even without all the letter courses -

Anyway, relax. Allow plenty of time to get to the testing location and take a deep breath. This is not a terrible exam. Most of those that I am aware that have difficulty are 100% due to the "mental" issues. Negative SELF TALK is #1.

Rest, relax, minimal review and say:

"I am a great nurse. I will do fine. Lets get it done!"

Oh, and TAKE your time - no racing, read carefully, go with your gut!

AND let us know that you PASSED tomorrow!

GOOD LUCK!

:)

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Specializes in Emergency, neonatal, pediatrics.

Well, I passed. It was not nearly as bad as I expected it to be. Most of the items were common sense.

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Specializes in ED, ICU, PACU.
well, i passed. it was not nearly as bad as i expected it to be. most of the items were common sense.

congrats !!!! great job :smiley_aa

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Specializes in Flight, ER, Transport, ICU/Critical Care.

Hey there Josh,

Congrats!

It is a nice feeling. And that wasn't so bad, was it? (Told you so!) :)

I think I may have your name right, so I guess that will be Josh Adams, RN CEN

Looks good!

:smiley_aa :smiley_aa :smiley_aa

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Job well done. Has anybody ever noticed that many of the CEN questions feel like they were pulled from a national registry exam?

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Specializes in Emergency.

Congrats Josh,

I'm going to be taking it towards the end of the year. What did you use to study? How did you prepare?

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Specializes in Emergency, neonatal, pediatrics.

I took two courses. One was sponsored by the local ENA chapter and held over two days. The other one was also over two days but was by a continuing ed provider called Med-Ed. The ENA one was fantastic. Lots of practical tips for the test and lots of example questions. I also got a "Lippincott's Q&A Certification Review: Emergency Nursing" which I studied on my own. After a few weeks, I just felt ready to take it.

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