Anyone currently studying for the CEN exam??

deeDawntee, RN · Feb 12, 2008

Hi, Glad to see others planning on the CEN. I have test issues so have never taken it (and have been in ED for many, many years). I made it my goal to take the exam at the ENA Convention in September, so have started reviewing. Will check in here from time to time to see how this group is doing.
UP Nurse

HELLO!!!! YAYAYYY!!! You are in the right place and it is PERFECT timing!! What kind of ED do you work in? Do you get come kind of incentive to get the certification? (I ask that question, because I wonder how supportive organizations are about the CEN.) Does a lot of your coworkers have the certification? Perhaps we should all plan to go to the ENA convention!! (just a thought...my mind is racing ahead of itself!!)

Do you have a study plan?

Thanks so much for coming on board!!

the 5 of us after we have our CEN!

vampireslayer · Feb 13, 2008

I started studying about 6 months ago, then it kind of went by the wayside when something came up...can't even remember what it was that interrupted my studying! I was all excited about it, attended a CEN review course offered at my hospital, bought several review materials, then....nothing! So I'm going to start again, and try to take it over the summer.

Mosby's CEN Exam Review was recommended to me by another nurse. I could only find a used one, maybe they don't publish it anymore, and all the ones I found online were missing the CD that gives sample questions, but it does have questions in the book. What I liked about this book is that the sample questions are organized by topic, whereas another book I bought, the CEN Review Manual published by the national ENA is just a whole bunch of review questions. They're good questions, gives you the rationale for the right answers etc, but it's organized like a sample test, just random topics thrown together. I like to study system by system, ya know?

And THEN I bought the ENA's Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum. I thought it would be like a textbook (I'm a geek, I LIKE reading textbooks!), but it's not. It's in outline form, not in paragraph form. Really hard for me to get into, to read.

I was given Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practices when I started my ER nursing orientation 2 1/2 years ago, and it's a basic textbook, and pretty good. I think I'll spend some time reading that.

Ok, FINALLY, I got the CDs of Laura von Frolio. I listened to them in my car, and will go back and listen again soon, but I did worry it was outdated. First off, no there are NOT 250 questions anymore. If you read on the ENA website, there are only 175 (I think). Anyway, that worried me, if that info is outdated, how much of the rest of it is, and I just don't know it? Like, she uses "Dilantin" for all sorts of things, but we NEVER use Dilantin anymore. For seizures we use Cerebyx, of course actively seizing we use Ativan, but the lecture mentioned Dilantin in all sorts of other ways, nothing to do with seizures, and I just don't ever see it used in my ER. I actually contacted them, and asked if the material is reviewed for up-to-date changes, and gave them the example of the # of questions on the test, which was clearly outdated, and they of course assured me it was all still valid. Also, the CDs were simply someone recording one of her review classes, and while it is very entertaining and she is a wonderful and interesting speaker and obviously incredibly knowledgable, I was surprised at how poor the audio quality was. Sometimes the sound went out completely for a minute or two, then came back on. Usually it sounded like whatever material I missed was repeated, but you'd think if they're making money off this they could edit out the audio errors like that!

Anyway, so I have bought lots of books but don't really have a study plan. There's another CEN review course I'm going to take in a few weeks, hopefully that'll help me get motivated.

One thing I did realize, a "word of advice" was that when I attended my first CEN review course, a lot of the stuff was review, a lot was just "oh yeah, I'd forgotten but now I know", and then there were things that were totally "uhhhh, I NEVER knew that". I thought (stupidly) I'd remember what things I needed to go back and review, but of course I didn't, after walking out of the auditorium I forgot everything I'd told myself I needed to re-learn and review, so next time, make sure you keep notes on things you feel the need to go back later and review. I was making notes in my notebook but then couldn't find them all later, so this time I'll have a separate sheet of paper of topics to review on my own later.

Good luck to us all!

VS

rjflyn, ASN, RN · Feb 14, 2008

I just passed it 6 months ago. I used several books. One that is not a main stream one that you will find is this: http://www.mo-media.com/cen/

Rj

deeDawntee, RN · Feb 14, 2008

I started studying about 6 months ago, then it kind of went by the wayside when something came up...can't even remember what it was that interrupted my studying! I was all excited about it, attended a CEN review course offered at my hospital, bought several review materials, then....nothing! So I'm going to start again, and try to take it over the summer.
Mosby's CEN Exam Review was recommended to me by another nurse. I could only find a used one, maybe they don't publish it anymore, and all the ones I found online were missing the CD that gives sample questions, but it does have questions in the book. What I liked about this book is that the sample questions are organized by topic, whereas another book I bought, the CEN Review Manual published by the national ENA is just a whole bunch of review questions. They're good questions, gives you the rationale for the right answers etc, but it's organized like a sample test, just random topics thrown together. I like to study system by system, ya know?
And THEN I bought the ENA's Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum. I thought it would be like a textbook (I'm a geek, I LIKE reading textbooks!), but it's not. It's in outline form, not in paragraph form. Really hard for me to get into, to read.
I was given Sheehy's Emergency Nursing Principles and Practices when I started my ER nursing orientation 2 1/2 years ago, and it's a basic textbook, and pretty good. I think I'll spend some time reading that.
Ok, FINALLY, I got the CDs of Laura von Frolio. I listened to them in my car, and will go back and listen again soon, but I did worry it was outdated. First off, no there are NOT 250 questions anymore. If you read on the ENA website, there are only 175 (I think). Anyway, that worried me, if that info is outdated, how much of the rest of it is, and I just don't know it? Like, she uses "Dilantin" for all sorts of things, but we NEVER use Dilantin anymore. For seizures we use Cerebyx, of course actively seizing we use Ativan, but the lecture mentioned Dilantin in all sorts of other ways, nothing to do with seizures, and I just don't ever see it used in my ER. I actually contacted them, and asked if the material is reviewed for up-to-date changes, and gave them the example of the # of questions on the test, which was clearly outdated, and they of course assured me it was all still valid. Also, the CDs were simply someone recording one of her review classes, and while it is very entertaining and she is a wonderful and interesting speaker and obviously incredibly knowledgable, I was surprised at how poor the audio quality was. Sometimes the sound went out completely for a minute or two, then came back on. Usually it sounded like whatever material I missed was repeated, but you'd think if they're making money off this they could edit out the audio errors like that!
Anyway, so I have bought lots of books but don't really have a study plan. There's another CEN review course I'm going to take in a few weeks, hopefully that'll help me get motivated.
One thing I did realize, a "word of advice" was that when I attended my first CEN review course, a lot of the stuff was review, a lot was just "oh yeah, I'd forgotten but now I know", and then there were things that were totally "uhhhh, I NEVER knew that". I thought (stupidly) I'd remember what things I needed to go back and review, but of course I didn't, after walking out of the auditorium I forgot everything I'd told myself I needed to re-learn and review, so next time, make sure you keep notes on things you feel the need to go back later and review. I was making notes in my notebook but then couldn't find them all later, so this time I'll have a separate sheet of paper of topics to review on my own later.
Good luck to us all!
VS

Thanks SO much for all the great information. That is concerning about the 'outdated' info on Dr Laura's course. Is it possible, I wonder, that the CEN exam is also a bit outdated on some things? I know that is true on the CCRN. For instance, Morphine is not given for people with pancreatitis anymore, but that is the answer on the CCRN. I am certainly not trying to defend Dr Laura's material, just curious. I will try to investigate further and let everyone know what I find out.

It appears that we have a good beginning for a very powerful on-line study and support group!!

What kind of ED do you work in? What kind of incentives are given for CEN where you work? Are there many others with the CEN where you work?

Take care, have a great weekend!!

deeDawntee, RN · Feb 14, 2008

i just passed it 6 months ago. i used several books. one that is not a main stream one that you will find is this: http://www.mo-media.com/cen/
rj

congratulations!! cen!!!

that is awesome! what kind of ed do you work in? what was the most challenging part for you? was there anything that really surprised you about the test? (no specifics, just generally) what kind of incentives do you have at your hospital for the certification?

thanks so much for the recommendation. i will definitely check into it.

hey, keep posting, if you want! it would be great to get insight into studying and the exam from someone who has already been through it! only if you want to.....

:heartbeat:heartbeat:heartbeat

ritarunningfeet · Feb 14, 2008

Hi, glad to hear everyone is working towards their goals. I just took it last week and passed, and I must say that the book I found most helpful was the practice tests book from the ENA website, granted everyone is different and studies in different ways, but that one worked for me. Good Luck to everyone planning on taking it:yeah:.

deeDawntee, RN · Feb 14, 2008

hi, glad to hear everyone is working towards their goals. i just took it last week and passed, and i must say that the book i found most helpful was the practice tests book from the ena website, granted everyone is different and studies in different ways, but that one worked for me. good luck to everyone planning on taking it:yeah:.

congratulations

ritarunningfeet cen!!

yaaayyyyy!!!!

thanks for the suggestions on the practice tests on the cen. will definitely have to check it out!! hey, keep checking in on us...we may need one who has been there to urge us on!!!

:lol2: :lol2: :lol2:

GilaRRT · Feb 15, 2008

Check out these links for additional information:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f18/revised-cen-content-237763.html

https://allnurses.com/forums/f18/cen-exam-260068.html

This is the book I used for review prior to taking the CEN. I did one test at a time and studied any incorrect answers. I created my own test of incorrect answers. I did every test until I scored 100% on every exam. In addition, two online tests are offered that mirror the CEN in content and time allowed for the exam:

http://books.google.com/books?id=pnU_2H4HilEC&dq=cen+review+manual&pg=PP1&ots=lWra_S-J6H&sig=QUMYMymq7DyMGFBw-sGj-AtVA8U&hl=en&prev=http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS255US255&q=CEN+Review+Manual&sa=X&oi=print&ct=book-thumbnail&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail#PPP1,M1

deeDawntee, RN · Feb 15, 2008

Check out these links for additional information:
https://allnurses.com/forums/f18/revised-cen-content-237763.html
https://allnurses.com/forums/f18/cen-exam-260068.html
This is the book I used for review prior to taking the CEN. I did one test at a time and studied any incorrect answers. I created my own test of incorrect answers. I did every test until I scored 100% on every exam. In addition, two online tests are offered that mirror the CEN in content and time allowed for the exam:
http://books.google.com/books?id=pnU_2H4HilEC&dq=cen+review+manual&pg=PP1&ots=lWra_S-J6H&sig=QUMYMymq7DyMGFBw-sGj-AtVA8U&hl=en&prev=http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4SUNA_enUS255US255&q=CEN+Review+Manual&sa=X&oi=print&ct=book-thumbnail&cad=one-book-with-thumbnail#PPP1,M1

Wow!! Thanks SOOO much for the great information! Excellent advice!!

:bow: :bow: :bow:

GilaRRT · Feb 15, 2008

Not a problem. Good luck with the CEN, my wife is currently in the same boat.

vampireslayer · Feb 15, 2008

Sounds like we have a lot of review sites & materials to choose from. My problem is I get overwhelmed when I have too many choices! Even in a restaurant, I can't stand it when I get a menu that's pages and pages and pages! Just give me a few things to choose from, please!

Anyway, I am PRN and we get NO incentive to get our CEN, other than "personal satisfaction". Ok fine. My hospital offers full time employees reimbursement for the test fee, but not for me. But even so, I am so happy with the flexibility of PRN, working only when I want, picking up 1/2 shifts or 3/4 shifts whenever I want to, that I wouldn't trade it for a full-time position anyway.

CENs at my hospital are fairly rare I think. Maybe 10% of our ER nurses? I'm just guessing, it might be even lower, but not common, I know that.

VS

amberfnp · Feb 16, 2008

Ok guys! My boss wants me to commit by Monday to take the exam by June 30. If I do that, it will be paid for by a special education grant. The hospital will still reimburse me if I don't gt it done in time, but it comes from a different budget. I didn't mention the incentive in my earlier post, but we do get $1 more per hour for certification. I'm not 100% sure I'll be ready, but I'm going to research the cost of study materials in more detail this weekend and I think I may go for it! :nurse:

I spoke with a co-worker who just re-certified and she said she used the ENA review book and the Mosby review book. She felt they were both good and they both come with CD-ROMS with practice tests.