I'm so disappointed; CEN exam

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Specializes in ER, TRAUMA,PACU.

I feel so bad after my exam because I literally know all the answers in the book ENA Review BOok that I bought from ENA online. When I took the test-- it was a shocker to me. Probalbly only 30 percent of the concept in that book showed up.All the rest were out of this world.

I failed the Exam :-(. I dont know what to do next. Im so diasspaointed.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

You are going to feel bad for a few days, maybe cry, maybe indulge In a few adult beverages or eat a couple of pints with two of my personal friends of mine,Ben and Jerry. Then you are going to pick yourself up and start to study all over again. :hug:

May I recommend Dr. Laura Gasparis Vonfrolio RN, PhD, whom I have long admired from the very first time I ever saw her lecture in 1986 at a critical care symposium in Indiana. Her reviews are fun and informative. She has a great teaching style.

Anyone I know who has used her stuff has passed the exam, including me.

Great Nurses - Products

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

Haven't done the ER one but I have done the psych one...take a week to mourn the failure, then when you are ready to go at it again, my advice is to use more than one review book. Seriously, stuff is never going to show up from just one text because by its nature, a study guide is limited because it can't hold everything. Or it may cover some areas in more depth while glossing over others. Using two (or more) study guides will help you cover more ground. If you don't want to buy multiple guides, see if you can borrow them, or chip in with a friend/coworker.

I used three guides (two books and a set of flashcards). I can't say the psych test was the easiest test I took, but I passed.

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Specializes in ER ( Peds/Adult).

The CEN examination is meant to be challenging and it is very stressful. I recommend using the ENA CEN review book. It is not the memorization of questions that will enable you to pass, it is the understanding of the concepts being presented. Oftentimes there may be more that one right answer, but you have to choose the BEST answer. Familiarize yourself with the TNCC process as well because it helps in trying to determine the BEST answer as well, in the case of a trauma pt scenario.

Don't get frustrated, you can do it, just don't rely on rote memorization, be sure you understand the concepts and why one answer is beter than another. The ENA CEN review book/practice questions also give the rationales for answers which can help you to understand why one answer is better than another. Good Luck!!

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I am not an Emergency Nurse and have never worked in the Emergency Room, but for my own reasons I decided I wanted to take the CEN exam. It took me two attempts to pass, and I believe taking a reputable review course, after having studied several different books, is what helped me to finally pass. Failing the first time just made me more determined.

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Don't be discouraged, I took the exam 3 times and finally passed. Use any type of ENA review you can, even the online tests. Take the exam soon as you can so it is all fresh in your mind. Don't worry you will get there.

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Specializes in Emergency Department/Trauma.

Look up CEN review on YouTube and watch Mark Boswell's videos from his review course. He also puts a book out that is the core knowledge of what you need to know for the test without all the fluff.

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Specializes in Emergency.

Another vote for Mark Boswell's book.

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