best CEN review

Published

Specializes in ED.

There are so many CEN review books out there. What have you used to study from? I am taking a 2day seminar in july and have gotten laura gasparos's dvd and her book with test questions. Any help would be great

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.

Hmmm, that would be a hard question to answer, you' have to know what "Best" means to you.

For some "best" means most likely to help them pass.

For others it means most value for your dollar,

For others it means comprehensive, (IE does it cover "it all"),

And yet others would think "best" means an enjoyable program and an engaging speaker.

It's really up to you what your "best" is.

Of course for most, it's a mixture of all of the above, and finding one program that is the "best" in all categories can be challenging.

Unfortunatley, it's hard even for your peers/colleagues to answer this question, because most everyone has only taken ONE review class before their exam. You would get the best answer from someone who has taken more than one review course - a person that could compare courses head-to-head and note the pros and cons.

However, you should also know, people would probably give a biased opinion as well even if they took more than one course. I suggest that the LAST class a person takes (before passing their exam), they would consider the BEST.

I would advise you to decide what's "best" or most important to you when you look at the definitions I gave above. You need to ask that presenter why their program is the "best" according to your criteria.

Be aware though, there is NO WAY anyone can tell you their "passing rate" with 100% accuracy. The reason is, two fold (1) ENA only publishes the "passes" -not the total number of people taking the exam; so if someone does not pass, they may not tell you this information (2) The instructor will have no idea if some people don't even take the exam or not. Many people attend review courses and for various reasons do not take their exam or put it off and thus they aren't useful for accurate stastics.

Hope this helps.

DISCLAIMER: I do a nationwide 2-Day CEN review course and have published CEN review materials.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

I can't advise you on best, but I'll tell you what I am doing. I took a one day CEN review course that was offered at the NJ ENA conference this spring, and now I am using the book that the ENA published for CEN review and doing the practice tests in that. I do the questions about 20 at a time and then review the answers. Things I don't know, I look up and am making my own reference notes. I did 10% better on my second practice test and am working on my third now. (there are five in the book).

Good luck studying.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I agree with the ENA book for the CEN with LOTS of questions. I did they questions and the two free online tests that come with the book and Just passed the CEN 2 weeks ago. I found I needed to know what the CEN's rationals were when I got a question wrong which in turn helped me answer other questions correctly!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I found that the ENA CEN book was golden, as well as knowning the exact guidelines of the test to help focus my studies. Read the content guide posted on the CEN website for those guidelines. Shout out to you for going for your CEN! It's a huge professional boost! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency, Trauma, Flight.

my advice is use whatever you like..... and dont worry

just use your common knowledge and focus....

im on the board....

:cool:

Up Vote Up Vote ×

The ENA CEN review is a good start....Laura Gasparis' DVD is also really good at breaking things down for individuals...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ER.

Hi all-

Love this community and everyone's input. Studied for CEN with Sheehy"s Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice (6th Edition) and CEN Review Manual (4th Edition), also took Med-ed CEN Exam Review with Jeff Solheim (amazing).

Took the CEN this morning... PASSED 130/150. Hope this helps!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, Clinical Documentation.

congratulations!!!! :yeah:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Hi all-

Love this community and everyone's input. Studied for CEN with Sheehy"s Emergency Nursing Principles and Practice (6th Edition) and CEN Review Manual (4th Edition), also took Med-ed CEN Exam Review with Jeff Solheim (amazing).

Took the CEN this morning... PASSED 130/150. Hope this helps!

Great job!!! I think I have a crush on Jeff Solheim. Ha ha! :D

Up Vote Up Vote ×

...me to! The review with Jeff Solheim was excellent. I am using the review book provided, the Pockel Pal books from Jeff Solheim and my A & P book from Nsg. School. I think I need an additional review book because there are a few topics I don't see much in my ED to have the kinesthetic experience. I am in search of one now, I have heard the L. Gasparis review book is a good one.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment