How many practice hours before you can sit for CEN?

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Specializes in ICU, Agency, Travel, Pediatric Home Care, LTAC, Su.

I've been looking for hours on the http://www.ena.org website and can't find the answer to this simple question. How many practice hours at the bedside are needed before you can sit for your CEN? Thanks in advance!

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Specializes in Emergency.

It's on there somewhere. There aren't a required number of clinical hours worked before you can take the exam.

The ENA and conventional wisdom recommend 2 years experience but that again is not required. Some folks here have passed with less than a year at the bedside (Lunah is one) while others like myself waited 2 years. It's up to you, do you feel ready?

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Specializes in ER, ICU.

There is no time period. Take it when you are ready.

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This information is no longer maintained on the Emergency Nurses Association website. The Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing recently became a separate entity. As both previous posters mentioned, there is no practice requirement. You can visit the Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN) site for detailed information. If you have not done so, you might want to review the content outline.

Good luck if you decide to write the CEN examination.

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