Feeling flustered- Has anyone done the Competency Assessment & Enhancement for Nurses (CAE

CarolineJane · Sep 19, 2017

Hi julia03, I'm now looking at writing the exam and feeling the same. You must have written it by now? If so, what was it like?? I'm feeling a bit stressed thinking about it and don't know where to look to find out what the exam is like. Should I be studying? I am an RN (have been for 10 years) but lost my licence when I had kids because I could not keep up my hours. Now I would like to get it back and this seems like the most reasonable option for me but I'm very nervous about it! Can you tell me anything about it? Anything would be appreciated! Thanks! Caroline

dayandnight · Sep 19, 2017

Has anyone done the Competency Assessment & Enhancement for Nurses (CAEN)??
If you dont complete a certain amount of practice hours within the 5 years after you graduate, regardless of when you passed your NCLEX/CRNE, you cannot register in BC until you complete certain requirements... this is an option as part of your practice hours.
Im in this predicament because I have not found a job, now I feel like I have to prepare for another exam again.
The CAEN has 3 components; a self-assessment, an individualized simulation assessment and multiple choice exam.
Has anyone out there done this before? and give me some insight on how to prepare for this.
Also,in the meantime what kind of jobs can I apply for, while waiting to be 'registered'?

This exam is very similar to the assessment exams they make the foreign-educated nurses do. The theory part of the exam is based more on the previous CRNE exams rather than the NCLEX. In the simulation test you'll be given nursing scenarios which you will have to act out and state every single step of the interventions you are taking.

Hope that helps

CarolineJane · Sep 20, 2017

Thanks companisbiki . That helps a lot. Do you know if it's more common to require taking further courses? I realize this is a case by case basis... just curious what might be more likely... if there's a good chance I won't have to take further schooling... I just want to go back to work!

CarolineJane · Sep 20, 2017

One other question... I can't remember... are the lab values the American version?

dayandnight · Sep 20, 2017

Thanks companisbiki . That helps a lot. Do you know if it's more common to require taking further courses? I realize this is a case by case basis... just curious what might be more likely... if there's a good chance I won't have to take further schooling... I just want to go back to work!

In BC, refresher courses are maximum 1 year only. Which means it can get less depending on how well you do on your assessment exam. If you do poorly on your assessment, I believe Kwantlan makes you take another 3 month prep course but that might depend on each person's case.

julia03 · Sep 21, 2017

Hi Caroline,

Companisbiki is right, Ive heard the assessment is similar to NCAS (for international nurses), in terms of the simulation and written component. I actually haven't done it yet but will do it soon.

What I would suggest is to do some practice questions for the multiple-choice test, just to practice answering M/C type of questions. I believe they give you about 3 hrs to complete the m/c part and 1.5 hr for the simulation. Also, in Kwantlen they have a new course called Nurse Ready and if you want you can take that to sort of refresh yourself on assessment, and maybe find skills you may need to brush up on. They do simulations during these classes and it's a good way to boost your confidence and be exposed in the scenarios with a SIM patient. The Nurse Ready is only a 3 week course, 3 days a week. I know you have 10 years of nursing under your belt already, so you may not need it but its definitely a helpful tool. Good luck! Brush up on some stuff and just believe in yourself! We got this! :)

vaio · Oct 22, 2017

Hi Caroline n Julia, just checking have u guys did CAEN? If yes, how was it? Content and complexity. Just trying to research some details about the format n content but very little available!

Thanks

CarolineJane · Oct 22, 2017

Julia03 good luck when you do! I've heard similar things about it, and thanks for all your suggestions. I will do the CAEN this Wednesday the 25th.

CarolineJane · Oct 22, 2017

Hi vaio I will write the CAEN this Wednesday! I'm nervous but I'm pretty sure it's very similar to the initial exam and lab to register as a nurse. Worst case I do courses (mostly I want to avoid the cost of that), but best case I get a letter of recommendation and go back to work. It seems a bit abstract going in but I've just been going over assessment skills mostly. When you register they send you an extremely detailed self assessment to do prior, I am following the skills list in there as a bit of a study guide. Realistically you may not recall all the technical details (labs, patho etc. ) but if your assessment skills are thorough you should be good. Ican let you know after this week!

julia03 · Oct 24, 2017

Thanks Caroline! I'm doing mine soon too! Best of luck and let us know how it goes!!

julia03 · Nov 1, 2017

@caroline So how did the assessment go? Was it what you thought it was? Did it take the whole 1.5 hr to complete and how were the scenarios like? I hope it was good and went smoothly!!