CEN study advise

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Specializes in ER.

I am a new nurse at a rual ED. When I was hired I was assured extra training, however its been 4 months of sink or swim. I love the ED and want to do well for my patients. I have TNCC, PALS, and ACLS. I am looking at CEN study materials online. Do you know of any you would recommend.

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Several threads on this topic and even a CEN support thread exist in the ER nurse forums. You may want to check them out.

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Specializes in Anesthesia, CTICU.

I found the Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio DVD's to be terrific... I heard her voice on the test running thru my head.. aspirin overdose results in metabolic alkalosis.. haha I used her DVDs and some practice questions from the CEN book you can buy thru the ENA website. really though, the test is not terrible. Although I have experience as a paramedic, I've never actually worked the ED as RN and I passed first try. Best of Luck to you!

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Specializes in Rural outpost nursing and ED nursing.

Hi there,

I have a background in rural ED nursing as well. I just wrote and passed my CEN in October (as I was in preterm labor!). I went to one CEN prep class offered through my employer. That was helpful as it gave me insight into the questions: before that I wasn't reading the questions closely enough. The best books I can recommend are the Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum, put out by the ENA, and the CEN Study Guide (not sure of exact title), also put out by the ENA. Both are available on the ENA's website and both are worth the money. The second book is basically just 5 practice exams, and each exam is similar. The answers are in the back, as are the rationales. The real exam is very very similar to this. I scored in the high nineties and it took me about 2 and a half hours to write. I would highly recommend joining ENA, as they are always sending out mailers regarding ED conferences etc... and their journals are very interesting. Enjoy your new career!

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Specializes in ER.

Thank you and congrats on the CEN. I hope all went well with your little one too.

Did you feel studying for the CEN made you a better ER nurse (this is my true goal)? I joined the ENA yesterday and am waiting for my member number.

Thanks again.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, Telemetry, CCU, ER.

Hello,

I studied using various sources, I took a CEN review course offered by Meded. I took a couple tests in a CEN review book I found by Lippincott. I also looked over Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum and I purchased the 50 question practice test offered on the ENA website. It was helpful in understanding how the test would look, the practice tests offered on the website are just like the one you take in reality. I just took the test today and passed.:yeah:. I was very excited. Out of all of them, I was very glad I took the review class as it helped me narrow down better at what I needed to focus more on. There is just so much information. Enjoy your career in emergency nursing.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.
Hello,

I studied using various sources, I took a CEN review course offered by Meded. I took a couple tests in a CEN review book I found by Lippincott. I also looked over Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum and I purchased the 50 question practice test offered on the ENA website. It was helpful in understanding how the test would look, the practice tests offered on the website are just like the one you take in reality. I just took the test today and passed.:yeah:. I was very excited. Out of all of them, I was very glad I took the review class as it helped me narrow down better at what I needed to focus more on. There is just so much information. Enjoy your career in emergency nursing.

This is good! You did what you were supposed to do: you did a broad overview, you surveyed the methods of testing then you focused on the areas you were weak on and brushed them up. You also included multiple modalities (written, online, live-in-person). CONGRATULATIONS on passing - you really set yourself up well.

When I travel across the US and do these CEN review courses (NOT MEDEd) I hear from too many people that they think they will "get it all" in a 2-day class - NOT! The review class is just that a "review"!

Even when I authored my review class and published my book I NEVER expected it to be the one-stop shop CEN prep - rather just one tool in the toolbox.

When people come to my CEN review classes, my whole goal is just to "REMIND" them what they are fuzzy/foggy on, and to REINFORCE with them, that which they are already solid in. Then when they leave my class they have an idea how to go about finalizing their CEN prep; this is the ideal way and it sounds like it worked for you!

Again CONGRATULATIONS!

-MB:yeah:

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.
Thank you and congrats on the CEN. I hope all went well with your little one too.

Did you feel studying for the CEN made you a better ER nurse (this is my true goal)? I joined the ENA yesterday and am waiting for my member number.

Thanks again.

CONGRATULATIONS on Joining!

You have joined a BROTHERHOOD (er uh, mostly a WOMAN-HOOD!) of ED Nurses.

We share the same passions, trials, successes, joys and frustrations TOGETHER!

Also you have now tapped into your professional organization that works to HELP YOU in your calling.

Finally, you have taken the step that A LOT of your bretheren ED RN's HAVE NOT taken - you are getting involved and you are to be respected and commended.

Besides ENA still has one of the lowest annual dues of any professional organization!!!

CONGRATS - Welcome aboard!:lol2:

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Specializes in ER.

I'm also a new grad RN starting in the ED and I've been reading into and thinking about getting my CEN. Most of the threads on here don't make it sound like its that bad of an exam. I'm not saying its an easy exam but really how bad is it?? If you put in study time, feel confident and are a good test taker are you bound to pass??

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Specializes in ER.

Thanks for all the great advice and encouragement. I will be studying for the CEN and plan to take it in April (maybe, I do better with dead lines).

Traci

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

I've recently started a blog and on it I'm posting CEN review "articles"....

BEMETWeb-BLOG

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Specializes in Emergency.
I've recently started a blog and on it I'm posting CEN review "articles"....

BEMETWeb-BLOG

Check your PMs

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