The Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Examination

The Certified Nurse Educator Examination is a credentialing tool for masters- and doctorally-prepared nurse educators. The NLN created this specialty certification in 2005 and it has grown steadily in popularity ever since. Nearly 1600 nurse educators currently possess the coveted CNE credential.

I took the CNE examination in January, 2006. It was a difficult undertaking but doable. Nothing worthwhile, of course, is ever easy. I scheduled my assessment at one of the regional AMP testing centers. The CNE exam is not a computer-adaptive test like the NCLEX, but a standard multiple-choice assessment in electronic format, entirely computer-based. It consists of 150 multiple choice items with 3 hours to complete. I finished the exam with time to spare.

The present cost for the Certified Nurse Educator Examination is $375 as an NLN member ($475 for nonmembers). Some colleges and universities will reimburse educators this expense.
As soon as candidates are finished with the certification exam, the computer displays their individual test scores and whether they passed or not - so there is no fretful waiting for results.

Two months before sitting for the certification test, I began taking the Self-Assessment Examination (SAE), a primer that I highly recommend. The SAE consists of 65 multiple-choice practice questions. The cost for the SAE is $59.95 for NLN members, $74.95 for non-members, and well worth every penny. There are also eight sample questions on pages 12 and 13 of the Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) 2009 Candidate Handbook.

The Self-Assessment Examination was an invaluable preparation for the CNE examination. While taking the SAE, I highlighted any concept that I did not thoroughly understand in the practice item test bank. I then went back and thoroughly reviewed the highlighted material in education textbooks and other reliable sources. It took me five or six weeks to sift through all 65 questions, critically appraise my strengths and weaknesses regarding the content, and address the gaps in my knowledge base. This study strategy proved very successful for me.

I had previously purchased several of the textbooks in the recommended reference list during my masters coursework (MSN-Nursing Education). I used some of the reference materials in studying for the certification, but not all. An extremely helpful textbook for this exam is Billings and Halstead's Teaching in Nursing: A Guide for Faculty (2nd ed.).

The benefits of CNE certification for the nurse educator are numerous: recognition among peers, validation of knowledge and expertise, and a more competitive standing in a very tight job market.


References

The Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) Examination

Eligibility Requirements

Certified Nurse Educator Examination - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

CNE Detailed Test Blueprint

Test Blueprint

Recommended References

Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) 2009 Candidate Handbook

CNE on TV: Nursing Educators Proud of What They Do

AMP Support Center Information for the CNE