CEN as a new grad ABSN?

Specialties Emergency

Published

Hey all;

I graduated in August from an ABSN program, and I passed NCLEX a few weeks ago. For my last semester, I completed a 216 hour preceptorship/transition to practice in a very busy ER. I loved the work, I loved the environment, and I really would like to work in an ER ASAP.

With that being said, the time that our program graduates is less than optimal, as most new grad programs already selected their candidates. Still, I've knocked out my PALS, ACLS, and BLS renewal, and I'm working on my NIHSS (whenever their ancient servers allow me to complete more than one segment at a time, of course -_-)

My question is this: is it worth trying to get my CEN now? Will it look like "hey, this guy is motivated and a self-starter" or will it look like "this guy is a pretentious prick and way too much of a go-getter"? To that end, since I already graduated from an ABSN program, I am slightly worried that too much, too fast will give a negatively overzealous impression.

Just wondering all y'all's perspective on things :)

Thanks for your feedback and time!

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.

CEN recommends two years of RN experience in ED first. You lack that. So I would say wait until you actually have experience. A 216 hour preceptorship is equivalent to five weeks on the job.

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Thank you for your reply. So that's kinda what I was thinking; I know getting the CEN certification doesn't stand in for actual experience.

The implication will not be "wow, he studied well and knows his stuff", it'll be "is this guy kidding? he still hasn't ACTUALLY worked as a nurse", which is 100% true D:

Thank you :)

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Specializes in Adult and pediatric emergency and critical care.
My question is this: is it worth trying to get my CEN now? Will it look like "hey, this guy is motivated and a self-starter" or will it look like "this guy is a pretentious prick and way too much of a go-getter"? To that end, since I already graduated from an ABSN program, I am slightly worried that too much, too fast will give a negatively overzealous impression.

Your question nails the answer exactly. It would be very polarizing to apply and already have your CEN, some EDs with love it, many will hate it. I doubt there will be a whole lot in the middle. Our ED views CEN as a proof of knowledge since the experience is optional, and if the candidate has a good interview then it makes them more likely to be hired; we are very much an exception to this. We've also had nurses who took their CEN without experience and think that it means that they would be great ED nurses and are way over confident, to us it's further proof not to hire them.

In general I would recommend against testing for CEN without experience. If you really want an ED job out of the gates you may have to wait or apply to programs farther away. Opportunities definitely exist, but you have look for them.

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
Thank you for your reply. So that's kinda what I was thinking; I know getting the CEN certification doesn't stand in for actual experience.

The implication will not be "wow, he studied well and knows his stuff", it'll be "is this guy kidding? he still hasn't ACTUALLY worked as a nurse", which is 100% true D:

Thank you :)

How incredibly refreshing that you 'get it'! Seriously, so many times students post similar questions and when they don;t get the answer they want- flaunt off to snowflake-land. I appreciate the fact that you asked the experts and then listened to the voice of experience. You'll do well!

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How incredibly refreshing that you 'get it'! Seriously, so many times students post similar questions and when they don;t get the answer they want- flaunt off to snowflake-land. I appreciate the fact that you asked the experts and then listened to the voice of experience. You'll do well!

I guess I must be one of those "snowflakes" then.

The ENA recommendation of two years is a suggestion, not a requirement. Since my focus upon graduation will be in ED care, I will spend my breaks from school, such as summers or christmas studying and preparing for the CEN so that I can take it as soon as I am allowed, ie upon graduation and passing the NCLEX.

How stereotypical that you use an ad hominem attack against anyone who chooses not to follow your advice.

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Specializes in ED, Pedi Vasc access, Paramedic serving 6 towns.

I would wait until you actually work as a nurse in an ER to make sure you truly like it, otherwise it's a waste of money. Also some hospitals will pay for the exam, so that is another reason to wait!

Annie

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Specializes in NICU, ICU, PICU, Academia.
I guess I must be one of those "snowflakes" then.

The ENA recommendation of two years is a suggestion, not a requirement. Since my focus upon graduation will be in ED care, I will spend my breaks from school, such as summers or christmas studying and preparing for the CEN so that I can take it as soon as I am allowed, ie upon graduation and passing the NCLEX.

How stereotypical that you use an ad hominem attack against anyone who chooses not to follow your advice.

I attacked no one- I actually praised the OP and commented about my experience over the last 40 years of nursing practice.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Just get the CEN. You will learn a ton. Forget the naysayers who tell you that it's required to get the experience. If you got the time and money to study, do it.

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I attacked no one- I actually praised the OP and commented about my experience over the last 40 years of nursing practice.

Yes because calling those who dont agree with you "snowflakes" is obviously a sign of endearment. /sarcasm

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Yes because calling those who dont agree with you "snowflakes" is obviously a sign of endearment. /sarcasm

I don't know how you'll master the CEN seeing that your reading comprehension is lacking. She was saying the OP wasn't one.

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OP, take it or don't - I think either approach could be explained appropriately to a potential employer. We're all different enough that gaining experience before taking it is going to be best for some, and having the book-knowledge to apply in real-life learning scenarios (such as orientation) will help some people, too.

For instance, if you did take it before having an ED position, you can explain this by saying that you wished to get a handle on the book knowledge so that you could build upon it throughout your orientation. Looking at it this way makes it similar to the value of nursing school didactics. You wouldn't be forced to portray yourself as an ED Boss or a pretentious prick. Those latter attitudes are choices that don't have to be made.

Another option would be to obtain the latest study manual and work your way through it at a leisurely but consistent pace as you enter the world of ED nursing. In my mind this would give you the benefit. You might obtain your CEN a little sooner than two years, and you will be studying foundational ED concepts as you come up to speed as a nurse. You won't have learned "unattached" information that you don't yet know how to utilize. Bonus, bonus, and bonus.

Overall your goal should be to have the knowledge well in hand, not just the letters. So the only real question is whether you're the type of person who can learn concepts that will be kind of abstract until you see them but you have the ability to apply them when you do see them (sometime in the future), or whether you're more the type person who needs a patient scenario in order to fine-tune understanding of a concept.

Best wishes ~

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