Failed the CEN by one question. Literally.

the1anonlycarol · Mar 12, 2012

I also failed it by either one or two questions. Was so mad! Secretly blaming it on how hot the room was. There were a ton of questions for me also on triaging mass casualties... they all sounded pretty dead, how do you decide which one is most dead!? Also on ABG analysis... I guess I spent too much time studying which ST elevations in which leads was which kind of MI. At our hospital, there is no increase in pay, it's done more so for personal satisfaction. Our manager will reimburse (once you pass). I bought a different book and hope to tackle it one more time this summer....

JillianRN729 · Jun 28, 2012

I missed it by 5 questions. I also did poorly on the environmental cyanide posioning and on eye trauma. I bought the CEN book from the bcen website that had about 700 practice questions in it. I found this to be zero help. I can retake it in August so I may try and squeeze in a prep course somewhere, suggestions ?

Susie2310 · Jun 28, 2012

In my opinion, the point of obtaining the CEN credential is kind of like validating what we do as ED nurses every day. I think that in the context of taking the CEN and not working in an ED, you've shown that you can take a test, not that you've achieved professional or clinical expertise. Does that make sense? However, I applaud your determination -- and yes, I'm sure some hiring folks would look on such an achievement as exceptional motivation and a passion for the ED. :) Good luck with the rest of your program!

I wish to respectfully offer another point of view. I believe that passing the CEN exam demonstrates far more than test taking skills. The CEN exam has been discussed on other threads, and at least one person has pointed out that the CEN exam tests prioritization skills. You cannot prioritize successfully without a very good understanding of the situation you are facing, which requires the ability to recognize the clinical situation, understand the medical condition, and be able to determine what nursing intervention is most appropriate in the given situation. Successful prioritization requires a sound knowledge base.

I found the CEN exam to be a very comprehensive, challenging exam, with a very wide range of content. I learned a tremendous amount from studying for the exam, and I certainly believe that I am a better nurse because of it. So for me personally, although I am not an Emergency nurse, and have never worked in the ER, the whole experience of studying and then taking the test was enormously valuable, and continues to be.

I do agree with you completely, of course, that the exam does not actually test clinical expertise. It would be very wrong, and a big mistake, in my opinion, for a person such as myself, who is not a trained Emergency Nurse, to think that because they had passed the CEN exam, they were now qualified to practice emergency nursing.

WRNCEN · Jul 6, 2012

Being an emergency room nurse, I am proud to say I obtained my CEN. This exam was harder than my nursing boards and I too feel like a better nurse by going through the experience and enhancing my knowledge and critical thinking skills. Did I get a raise, no but personal satisfaction and professional recognition from other emergency nurses. So I say to all who wish, take the courage and passion to commit to you as a professional and certify in your specialty no matter what area that may be.

itsnowornever, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2012

I don't think that us students who are looking to take it prior to being hired are thinking it proves we can be ER nurses, but hoping that it sets us apart by showing that we are dedicated to learning about emergency medicine. Thus also goes for other continued education courses that focus on emergency medication.

Question....with cyanide poisoning, who has ever seen that?

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2012

i don't think that us students who are looking to take it prior to being hired are thinking it proves we can be er nurses, but hoping that it sets us apart by showing that we are dedicated to learning about emergency medicine. thus also goes for other continued education courses that focus on emergency medication.
question....with cyanide poisoning, who has ever seen that?

amyl nitrate and i have.

that is why i think taking the cen will be difficult if you try it before experience in the ed itself. it's a lot of money when i am not sure it will set you apart.

if that is your goal i'd go with acls and the enpc, tncc courses offered by the ena...courses & education

enpc

ena developed the emergency nursing pediatric course (enpc) to improve the care of the pediatric patient by increasing the knowledge, skill and confidence of the emergency nurse. this two day course provides core-level pediatric knowledge and psychomotor skills needed to care for pediatric patients in the emergency care setting. enpc is the only pediatric emergency nursing course written by pediatric nurse experts.

tncc

ena developed and implemented the trauma nursing core course (tncc) for national and international dissemination as a means of identifying a standardized body of trauma nursing knowledge. the tncc (provider) is a two day course designed to provide the learner with cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills. the purpose of tncc is to present core-level knowledge, refine skills and build a firm foundation in trauma nursing.

itsnowornever, BSN, RN · Jul 7, 2012

The ACLS I have, as well as a few other certifications. In no way will it set me apart from all ready working nurses, but from the new grad horde I hope it would. I will most definitely take the courses too and then try for the test, but we will see.

Susie2310 · Jul 8, 2012

i don't think that us students who are looking to take it prior to being hired are thinking it proves we can be er nurses, but hoping that it sets us apart by showing that we are dedicated to learning about emergency medicine. thus also goes for other continued education courses that focus on emergency medication.
question....with cyanide poisoning, who has ever seen that?
amyl nitrate and i have.
that is why i think taking the cen will be difficult if you try it before experience in the ed itself. it's a lot of money when i am not sure it will set you apart.
if that is your goal i'd go with acls and the enpc, tncc courses offered by the ena...courses & education
enpc
ena developed the emergency nursing pediatric course (enpc) to improve the care of the pediatric patient by increasing the knowledge, skill and confidence of the emergency nurse. this two day course provides core-level pediatric knowledge and psychomotor skills needed to care for pediatric patients in the emergency care setting. enpc is the only pediatric emergency nursing course written by pediatric nurse experts.
tncc
ena developed and implemented the trauma nursing core course (tncc) for national and international dissemination as a means of identifying a standardized body of trauma nursing knowledge. the tncc (provider) is a two day course designed to provide the learner with cognitive knowledge and psychomotor skills. the purpose of tncc is to present core-level knowledge, refine skills and build a firm foundation in trauma nursing.

the more i think about esme's post above, the more i think she is right. with nursing experience but without ed experience, the cen exam was for me, difficult, time consuming, expensive and stressful to study for (i spent $1000 on books, practice tests, exam fees and review course). it was worth it to me as i learned a tremendous amount and am a better nurse because of it, but i believe that if my goal had been trying to trying to stand out to an ed recruiter, esme's advice would have served me much better. i would add, don't just think of these courses as something you study relatively briefly for and get certified in. really learn the material. in acls, really know the algorithms; be able to recognize dysrhythmias on an ekg, know the drugs, dosages, why they're indicated, side effects, contraindications, expected effects. there is a lot of information in these courses. i think if you really know all this information well, then you will stand out.