CEN Study Recommendations

I'm following to see what kind of answers you get :)

I listened to a Jeff Solheim/Med-Ed review course, then scheduled my CEN. I passed it in 2009 when I had been an RN for 10 months. I had a lot of experience as a paramedic and ER Tech, so not much was new or unfamiliar. Personally I need an end point — like an actual test date — to help me get motivated!

I'm kind of debating when to take it. Is there such a thing as taking it too soon? What made you decide when to take it? :)

Once you feel comfortable talking through the study guide content located on the BCEN website. That would be an ideal time to test. I took the exam with just over 12 months ED experience. I felt very comfortable taking it and likely could have done it sooner, but I also had 10 years prehospital experience prior to nursing. Personally, I don't find the value in having a certification if you lack the experience to go with it. It's similar to new grads taking ACLS/PALS prior to obtaining a job. The dedication is there which is great, but there is clearly a lack of significant experience.

Once you feel comfortable talking through the study guide content located on the BCEN website. That would be an ideal time to test. I took the exam with just over 12 months ED experience. I felt very comfortable taking it and likely could have done it sooner, but I also had 10 years prehospital experience prior to nursing. Personally, I don't find the value in having a certification if you lack the experience to go with it. It's similar to new grads taking ACLS/PALS prior to obtaining a job. The dedication is there which is great, but there is clearly a lack of significant experience.

I'm in the same kind of boat you were and that's why I'm kind of debating when I should test. I just started in the ED like 6 weeks ago after passing my boards back in January. I was a medic for 6 years prior (and was an EMT for 2 years prior to finishing medic school). I don't want to wait a long time to take it, but I also don't want to take it before it will be seen as being meaningful; just not sure when that is. I'm thinking maybe I will take it sometime around December.

Like pixie says, scheduling the test became my motivator to study. While many many not agree with me, i thought the format of the cen was mostly "what's the doc gonna do?" and the most common thought i had during the test was "hey, i've had that guy!".

I did the whole exam book and listened to the lectures by Mark Boswell on youtube. I did feel a little strange just doing the exams, but thoroughly understand the rationale, and if you don't, look it up. It's a great guide and a fairly accurate representation of what the test was like. When I hit submit, I was convinced I had failed, but passed with a good score. Good luck!

Interested too in taking the CEN.

I listened to a Jeff Solheim/Med-Ed review course, then scheduled my CEN. I passed it in 2009 when I had been an RN for 10 months. I had a lot of experience as a paramedic and ER Tech, so not much was new or unfamiliar. Personally I need an end point — like an actual test date — to help me get motivated!

None of the stuff I used was helpful except for Boswell's videos. The "Pass CEN!" prep book was probably good once upon a time. But, is now dated. There is an app called "CEN" by a company called PocketPrep. Don't waste your money.

Pixie, I too suffer from the curse of not being able to study until I have a test date. On top of it I'm a bit of procrastinator. It all worked out in the end. I will swear by my decision to take my PALS renewal 3 days before my test though. I'm pretty sure I got every question related to that material correct.

the most common thought i had during the test was "hey, i've had that guy!".

I kept having that thought myself. I know I had to tell myself at least three times to not overthink things.

Ex: It only explicitly says in the question that the patient has DM. It does not mention CKD, HTN etc...