TNS or CEN?

My background is I graduated in May 2004 and have been working in a level 2 ER since....I am going to stay there registry and go to a trauma center after I have 2 years experience. How is the CCRN? I've heard at work that no one passes the CEN the first time...Could be they don't want "a new Nurse" having more certificates then some of the old set in there way nurses..Our hospital gives an 8% pay raise for either TNS or CEN.

My background is I graduated in May 2004 and have been working in a level 2 ER since....I am going to stay there registry and go to a trauma center after I have 2 years experience. How is the CCRN? I've heard at work that no one passes the CEN the first time...Could be they don't want "a new Nurse" having more certificates then some of the old set in there way nurses..Our hospital gives an 8% pay raise for either TNS or CEN.

Personally, I'm an IL ER RN and have both the TNS and CEN. I found the TNS test much harder than the CEN. However, TNS is only recognized in IL, so I think the CEN is much more marketable.

TNS is a course you take, and recieve confirmation that you took the class.
CEN however, is a certification exam that tests your body of knowledge of emergency nursing. It is like comparing oranges and antelopes.

For example, you would not put "Jane Smith RN, TNS" as your credentials.
You would use "Jane Smith RN, CEN" as your credentials. Do you get it?