CPEN advice

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I've been an ER RN for 2 years now in a level 2 trauma facility (approx 40K visits/yr) and recently have made an effort to improve myself through education.

I decided to sit for the CEN and (foolishly) scheduled my exam 3 weeks out from the date I started studying. I should've studied harder than I did, but I went ahead and took the exam anyhow... failed by 3 points! :no:

So, I made the (possibly foolish) decision to attempt the CPEN. I told myself that I was so very close with the CEN despite not studying enough (really hadn't anticipated ~20% of my questions to be OB-related), that I could learn from that experience and sit for the CPEN with a more focused study plan.

Can anyone chime in with suggestions on how to best prepare for the CPEN?

What I'm doing to review:

  • Working on completing the MedEd CPEN review online. Nice review from nursing school textbooks with very brief exams after each module. Good for CEUs if nothing else.
  • Listening to Scott DeBoer's CPEN review audiobook "Putting It All Together" while driving to and from work. These questions seem much too easy.
  • Gradually working my way through the ENA's CPEN review book (which is basically just questions) ( I should add that I used the ENA's CEN review book filled with questions, scored well on all of them, then failed the actual CEN by 3 ... so I'm not sure if this particular book is a great resource other than for reading rationales.)

I'd really appreciate hearing from someone who's taken the CPEN (and possibly the CEN) and hearing what resources/study plan worked best to prepare you for the exam in retrospect.

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

Take ENPC if you haven't already. I used Scott DeBoer's review book as well. I think I possibly reviewed PALS, but it's been 7 years since I took/passed the CPEN so I don't really recall. But I definitely review the ENPC book and I love Scott DeBoer's book!

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Specializes in ED.

I took 2 months to study for the CEN and used the ENA book also. I passed and here's what I did - maybe my style will work for you too.

When I reviewed each practice exam I did I made myself study from Sheehy's Emergency Manual the stuff I got wrong, not just read the rationales provided by the CEN book. I dug out all my nursing textbooks and made index cards and notes on any subject that I got wrong in questions on the practice tests. I ignored material that I answered correctly.

Obviously the stuff you get right is the stuff you deal with every day at work. The stuff I never saw in my ER (like snake bites, and Peds neuro - we are adult only) I would inevitably get wrong, so it was like being in nursing school again and studying all these complicated things before you have any experience to burn it into your brain.

I did 25 CEN test questions every day - yes every day for 2 months. It sucked, but I committed to it and it must have helped. I either did the questions from the CEN review book and I used online test sources too - there were some better than others - I can't actually remember the websites- one I paid for questions and the rest were free. I literally lived and breathed CEN prep for 8 solid weeks, glad it's over, and I did actually learn a lot.

There's no easy way- whatever methods got you through nursing school will serve you well for the CPEN - I think you just didn't give yourself enough time on the study for CEN! Good luck - keep practicing!

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.

I also used Scott DeBoer's book (1st edition). It was one of the few review resources at the time. I read word for word in his book and made tons of notes on content that I didn't know. Then I studied the heck out of those notes. I passed with a decent comfort margin but I also had 13-15 years experience at the time. You are AWESOME for pursuing these certs and for your commitment to emergency nursing! Bet of luck to you!!!

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Specializes in ED, Tele, MedSurg, ADN, Outpatient, LTC, Peds.

Hi OP! I did my ACLS , TNCC,PALS before doing the CEN and CPEN.

I gave myself 3 months to study for each and did 60 practice questions everyday and timed them! Went to the ENA website and checked on their recommended books. Checked out Amazon for cheaper prices!

I wrote my name and wrote CEN next to it and posted them all over the house! Once I got that, I wrote my name and wrote CEN,CPEN and did it again! My kids asked me about it and we all studied during homework time! Best of luck!

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Update: Thanks for the advice all. I passed!!!!

Ended up using MedEd's CPEN review primarily and Scott DeBoer's audiobook while driving. Breezed through the 175 questions in 1 hour 5 minutes. Comfortable passing margin too! Hope this helps someone else with prep.

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

Congrats!! :D

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Specializes in ED, Critical care, & Education.

Congratulations!! That is fantastic!

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