CEN

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I was wondering what is the minium amout of time you should wait to take the CEN. Is it ever too soon to take this course? course?

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Specializes in ER, Trauma.
I was wondering what is the minium amout of time you should wait to take the CEN. Is it ever too soon to take this course? course?
I'd recomend you be comfortable with the content of the ACLS and TNCC courses at a minimum. You will be asked questions on emergencies that could occur anywhere in the world. Triage/initial assessment, likely problem, anticipating treatments, for medical and trauma patients of any age. Frostbite to heatstroke, pit viper bites, sushi, shellfish, or any other kind of poisoning, caustic splashes to eyes (what's the normal Ph of your eye?), and my all time favorite, they usually seem to get a question on Bubonic plague in there! The ticks in Northern NM carry plague and we get 1 or 2 cases per year. And don't forget electrolyte effects on ekg's. Psych and OB/GYN too. Consider it the trivial pursuit of ER nursing. If it were easy it wouldn't mean much would it? And they give multiple right answer to some questions and tell you to find the best one. If it weren't so expensive I wouldn't tell you all this but $400 is a lot to risk if a lot of the above is unfamiliar. FYI, I've proudly been a CEN for about 18 years.

Have you looked at any study guides yet? Join the ENA and their magazine gives 5 sample question in each issue. If it were up to the study guides I'd never pass though. Actually I've never failed and score higher each recert. Also, will your employer help with it? You can get group rates, share study guides, etc. Many employers don't give the CEN the credit it's due. I'm told the military is fond of it, though. I think that covers the high points. Good luck, and when you pass be sure and let us know. It's a huge achievement.

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

CEN isn't a course, it's a certification. It depends on your background. I took it soon after my first ER job but I have a long history as a paramedic which helped a lot. Good luck.

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Specializes in Emergency Medicine.

No set time line...

Try and start with TNCC & ENPC.

There is quite a bit of cardiac so know your ACLS.

As the ENA has become more of a political organization rather than

setting an improved standard in emergency medicine they have received

their LAST dollar from me. (Since around 1998).

If you're just getting started you'll find some good information in their courses.

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

It's not $400....

It's $360 if you're not an ENA member.

It's #220 if you're an ENA member.

Frequently at review courses, we do a group exam submission then everyone gets another $20 off....

So you can get it for as low as $200

-MB

I'd recomend you be comfortable with the content of the ACLS and TNCC courses at a minimum. You will be asked questions on emergencies that could occur anywhere in the world. Triage/initial assessment, likely problem, anticipating treatments, for medical and trauma patients of any age. Frostbite to heatstroke, pit viper bites, sushi, shellfish, or any other kind of poisoning, caustic splashes to eyes (what's the normal Ph of your eye?), and my all time favorite, they usually seem to get a question on Bubonic plague in there! The ticks in Northern NM carry plague and we get 1 or 2 cases per year. And don't forget electrolyte effects on ekg's. Psych and OB/GYN too. Consider it the trivial pursuit of ER nursing. If it were easy it wouldn't mean much would it? And they give multiple right answer to some questions and tell you to find the best one. If it weren't so expensive I wouldn't tell you all this but $400 is a lot to risk if a lot of the above is unfamiliar. FYI, I've proudly been a CEN for about 18 years.

Have you looked at any study guides yet? Join the ENA and their magazine gives 5 sample question in each issue. If it were up to the study guides I'd never pass though. Actually I've never failed and score higher each recert. Also, will your employer help with it? You can get group rates, share study guides, etc. Many employers don't give the CEN the credit it's due. I'm told the military is fond of it, though. I think that covers the high points. Good luck, and when you pass be sure and let us know. It's a huge achievement.

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.
No set time line...

Try and start with TNCC & ENPC.

There is quite a bit of cardiac so know your ACLS.

As the ENA has become more of a political organization rather than

setting an improved standard in emergency medicine they have received

their LAST dollar from me. (Since around 1998).

If you're just getting started you'll find some good information in their courses.

This is probably OT - if need be we can start another thread....

But I wanted to know from "EmergencyNrse" some specific examples of how they have become more of a "political organization" rather than improving the standard of "emergency MEDICINE"...????

Please no generalizations, specifics please.

Since you quit participating in 1998 - have you been able to keep abreast of their ongoing position statements and guidelines?

Are you aware they are actively working on things such as RN safety, Pt Boarding, Mental Health Patients in the ED, Clinical Competencies for Advanced Practice Nurses, Role Delineation for the CNS, Strong leadership support and ongoing development for the ED nurse leader, Initial new grad nurse precepting/mentoring, An active Professional Level Mentor program, Addressing The Joint Comission "Med reconcilliation" standard, Supporting ongoing development of SANE programs..... (just to name a few).....

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Not to mention "Safer Handoff" from nursing homes, one of my pet peeves ... "Where is the DNR?" "Oops, we forgot to send it. D'oh!"

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