CEN...study at home or in seminar?

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Specializes in ED.

Just wondering for those who have done the CEN, what are the general chances do you think of passing the CEN exam by studying myself as opposed to taking a formal class? I know its totally dependant on how well a person studies and what not, just trying to get a general consensus as to what worked for you. That class is around $250 and coming right after the holidays may not be doable.

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Specializes in ER.

The class I went to was 2 days, and every question on the exam was in the little study guide they gave us. It was well worth the money.

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.

The class I took didn't help with the exam at all. It was basically an overview of the systems and disease processes. Do you know anyone that has taken the specific class you are thinking about?

I studied a little by myself but what helped me pass the CEN more than anything was my experience in the ED. There is a lot of prioritizing and basic ED knowledge in it that you would know just from exposure.

Some people like to make a big deal about how hard the exam is but I really don't feel it is hard unless you are trying to take it without having been exposed to most situations in the ED.

There is practice tests online and ena.org has review books...

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Hi,

I bought a book "Emergency Nursing-Core Curriculum", 6th edition. I have been reading it. A lot of the info is familiar from the nursing schoo. I was told that the CEN exam is similar to the NCLEX-RN exam. If you go to ENA website there is info about online review courses offered through different companies and also options to buy a self-study modules and CD-ROM which is cheaper. It is the same thing.

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The course taught by Jeff Solheim that I took, was by far the best two days of emergency education I've ever had. I would highly suggest Jeff's course.

http://solheimenterprises.com/cen.html

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Specializes in Trauma/ED.
The course taught by Jeff Solheim that I took, was by far the best two days of emergency education I've ever had. I would highly suggest Jeff's course.

http://solheimenterprises.com/cen.html

Jeff is one of the smartest nurses I've met and a great guy...I highly recommend any class he teaches whether it is TNCC, ENPC, CATN, or a CEN review course...I would have taken mine from him but he was off doing another mission trip :-)

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Specializes in Emergency Department.

I got the CEN review book from ENA, copyright 2001, and took all 4 150 question tests in it and also the 2 175 question tests associated with the book that are on the computer. I used my TNCC, ENPC, and Sheehey's as reference material while targeting my studying to the practice questions (plus it was helpful to read the explanations to the questions). I also found a VERY helpful series of review lectures on cds from meded. My nursing experience (4 years, 3 in the ER) was invaluable in taking the test. Things are just more interesting when you've seen them and can recall scenarios as you're learning.

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How hard would it be to pass this test without any work experience? I have my RN license and can not find a job and hoping this certification would help my chances.

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How hard would it be to pass this test without any work experience? I have my RN license and can not find a job and hoping this certification would help my chances.

If you study the material, and learn it fully, it may not be all that hard. However, odds are greatly against you

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Just give it a try.... the Solheim Lectures and practice tests are great...

I will tell you how well it goes... I'm a new grad and got my CEN exam tomorrow...

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So, how did it go? I am a new grad also and am studying for it. Wondering what you used to study and if you passed. Hopefully you did! Thanks

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