Has anyone attended a CEN prep course.

EmergencyNrse · Sep 8, 2011

I have attened "a" prep course...not "that" prep course.

Every little bit of information is beneficial. You won't be wasting your time or money if you take the course(s) right before you test. They usually provide pearls of wisdom that the CEN covers. It's a good course and a great 'lil certification. God Luck.

mwboswell · Sep 8, 2011

Hello peers,
I am seeking a class that will assist me in reviewing for the CEN exam. I have been forwarded the following link that provides courses in my area. Has anyone used this course?
Thanks in advance.
http://bemetweb.com/cen/2011-1104/CEN-2011-1104-DAL-FlyerV01.pdf

I think it's a pretty good course.

mwboswell · Sep 8, 2011

For the most part, all CEN review classes are similar. They will all cover pretty much the broad spectrum of exam content in a concise 2 day format.

No course is going to promise to teach you everything you need to know. A review course is just that a "review" of core knowledge and concepts while throwing in some particulars to help make a more effective exam candidate.

The main things to look at (in my opinion) when picking a course are:

1) Location: it's always nice to attending a class that you don't have to spend a fortune travelling to

2) Timing: two ways to think about this - do you want to use a course like this to START your exam preparation (IE you'll know what to be studying) or do you want to use this as your "last minute" polishing step within 1-2 weeks of your exam date?

3) Cost: Be sure to shop around, the prices vary. Also consider what you're getting for your money: a stack of powerpoint handouts? a notebook? a textbook?

4) Other incentives: Check into the company doing the course...do they support emergency nursing profession? emergency nursing education? do they support members of professional organizations (IE: give discounts)

5) Presenters background: Does the presenter have the credential that they are teaching? Believe it or not, there are non-CEN people teaching CEN classes out there!

6) Testing background: When did your presenter take the CEN exam last? How many times have they taken it? Current renewal guidelines say that you NEVER have to take the test again which means someone could have taken it many years ago and still be current on their CEN. The exam changed a bit this July - so you'll definitely want someone who has seen the test multiple times.

7) What is the presenter's experience/background? Do they still do patient care? Many presenters "say" they practice clincally, but when you get down to specifics, patient care is not their full time job. They may actually only be an educator or nurse leader. You'll probably get more relevant knowledge if they practice full time patient care.

8) How accessible is your presenter? Your relationship with the course presenter does not end at the end of the class. After the class you'll still have some "focused" studying and reviewing to do on your own. Odds are you'll have questions and still need some guidance from time to time. Find out how your presenter is at being able to return emails, phone calls, texts etc.

The bottom line: you need to find what is important for YOU. Price is not always the most important factor. While cheaper may be better on your pocket book in this economy, you have to remember - there is a REASON why certain programs are cheaper than others. AND you're making an investment in yourself.

Good luck!

SpaceCoastRN · Sep 8, 2011

I attended one of Mark's review courses last year. Excellent use of your time and money. He presents information well, provides the only book you will need for passing the CEN and will give your studying for the test structure making the test a breeze. I had previously purchased a CEN review on DVD from great nurses dot com (didn't want to provide a link that would end up with you making that mistake!). Mark's review is the only way to go.