CEN - Study Help and More!

[bobsouthwick]

I am an older RN, over 50, trying to get back into the ER - have many years past experience - 10 in ER, and over 30 altogether. I have renewed my ACLS, I have done a Telemetry Cert. and will be taking PALS in Jan. '09. I have been in a teaching position for 2 years, and miss acute Trauma Care. I am having a hard time getting back in however. It is hard to be patient! I am starting to study for CEN, and also to update my knowledge base as I keep applying.

I have 2 questions : 1) Am I on the right track of getting current again and finding a job?? Any other suggestions???

2) I have searched for some books to study for CEN, and the two I come down to are: Sheehy's Emergency Nursing, and the other is Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum from ENA. Can anyone out there tell me which is better to get ??? Thanks!

[hjwdancer]

Make an appointment with the ER Managers in the area and ask them if you are on the right track for their facility and what things they want you to do to get back in. Make friends with them- sounds corny, I know, but I wouldn't have my current ER position if one of the ER staff docs hadn't put in a good word for me from a previous work experience. There are several CEN review courses out there- ask the ER managers what they found helpful or if they can recommend a good one. At our facility, experience and training seem to matter less than "knowing" someone- I guess they figure they can train you if you're likable and if someone in the ER will vouch for you.

Good luck!