Are CEN and CFRN exams really as bad as everybody says they are?

[BIGT68]

Hey, I'm working currently as a pretty new full time ER nurse. One of my career goals is to be a flight nurse after I get enough ER experience. I've heard about CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) and (Certified Flight Registered Nurse) tests that are required for many flight companies. From what I have heard these tests are extremely difficult and I have seen ER nurses that have been working for a long time and are considered to be great ER nurses, fail the CEN and I heard CFRN was even more difficult than the CEN. Does anybody have any suggestions on how to study for these exams or have any ideas on classes you took prior to taking these exams that helped you out?

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

You're going to get different responses, but as far as the CEN exam. that depends. I've seen new grad RN's who were paramedics walk in and take it with no problems. One of the things that gets people is they assume that experience and expertise are the same thing. You can work for years in an ED and be experienced but not taken the time to gain expertise by reading and learning during those years. Ad to that test anxiety and it's easy to not get a passing score.

It's not enough to know the 5 P's for compartment syndrome, you need to know what'd going on in that compartment.

The CFRN exam is harder. Has more of the CCRN stuff. More critical care focused than emergency med focused.

Download the test blueprint. Start studying, set a realistic time line don't be in a hurry. Do the CEN first, then build on that. Once your ready to take the test then do one of the review courses. Do a search here and you'll find plenty of threads on prep for the CEN.

[BIGT68]

You're going to get different responses, but as far as the CEN exam. that depends. I've seen new grad RN's who were paramedics walk in and take it with no problems. One of the things that gets people is they assume that experience and expertise are the same thing. You can work for years in an ED and be experienced but not taken the time to gain expertise by reading and learning during those years. Ad to that test anxiety and it's easy to not get a passing score.

It's not enough to know the 5 P's for compartment syndrome, you need to know what'd going on in that compartment.

The CFRN exam is harder. Has more of the CCRN stuff. More critical care focused than emergency med focused.

Download the test blueprint. Start studying, set a realistic time line don't be in a hurry. Do the CEN first, then build on that. Once your ready to take the test then do one of the review courses. Do a search here and you'll find plenty of threads on prep for the CEN.

Thanks, that is great info and is greatly appreciated

[Lunah, MSN, RN]

You're going to get different responses, but as far as the CEN exam. that depends. I've seen new grad RN's who were paramedics walk in and take it with no problems.

Lol... Yep, that was me in 2009, I had 10 months of RN experience and six years as a paramedic. I was (am) a knowledge junkie, and after I studied I knew I was prepared. I had people (even some here) telling me there was no way I could pass as a new grad, but I kicked that test in the butt.

If you are serious about taking your CEN, I recommend joining the ENA and checking out the online learning modules that the ENA has available - they are CEN prep lectures by Jeff Solheim, and they are fabulous! Good luck!

[CraigB-RN, MSN, RN]

Besides ENA join AACN and start getting involved in #FOAMed and #FOANed. Get on twitter search for ##FOAMed and #FOANed. There are plenty of resources on YouTube and Facebook even.