New to ER and getting CEN?

Specialties Emergency

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Hi all, thank you for viewing my post. I have 1yr of Medsurg experience and just started working in the ER for 2 months. I've been thinking about getting my CEN. My coworkers tell me I should wait at least a year or until I have some experience under my belt before trying for the exam. Several nurses on my unit just took the exam and failed, and they all studied and are very experienced ER nurses. So my questions are: What is my chance of passing the exam considering my background and experience? Should I wait a little longer like my coworkers suggested? Has any new grad/new ER nurses pass the CEN on the first try?

Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.
Thank you so much everyone, for taking the time to give me advice. I'm very inspired after reading all of you guy's comment. All the advices were great! I will take everyone's advice and take it one step at a time. I will take my TNCC and ENPC first, then review gradually for the CEN. I was rushing to get the CEN because I really wanted to get trained in the trauma area. At my ER, only RN's with CEN can work in trauma. It's been 2 months in the ER for me and I love it! I'm so eager to learn about everything and I take every opportunity to sneak in the trauma area and watch. Hopefully, one day soon I'll play a role in that room. Thank you all again!!

You said only RNs that are CEN can do traumas? That's a novel idea; would be interesting if someone decided that only CENs can do "critical patients" too or maybe even triage. Seriously, I think this is an interesting concept. I'd be interested to know where you work. If you aren't sure if okay to post publicly, feel free to email me off list.

-MB

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Specializes in Emergency, Critical Care (CEN, CCRN).

Wow, nothing but CENs on the trauma service? That's quite unusual. I, too, would be curious to know where the OP works, as out here there simply aren't enough people with the credential to do something like that. (I'm one of four CENs in my EC, of which two are administration, and the one CPEN is a peds NP; the ratio isn't a whole lot better at the big Level I centers in this area, certainly not enough to staff a trauma bay unless you made your CENs work 12x7. :uhoh3:)

I'd be interested to know if that policy actually improves their patient outcomes, and if it has I'd love to see the numbers. We're actively promoting CEN in our department as part of our push for Level II status, and frankly it's been a challenge - most people believe that you must be a certified genius to apply for it, and/or it's seen as a very expensive piece of resume padding. We might generate a little more traction if we could point to data that show "Get this credential and your patient outcomes will measurably improve."

Food for thought...

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Specializes in ER, Trauma, ICU/CCU/NICU, EMS, Transport.
Wow, nothing but CENs on the trauma service? That's quite unusual. I, too, would be curious to know where the OP works, as out here there simply aren't enough people with the credential to do something like that. (I'm one of four CENs in my EC, of which two are administration, and the one CPEN is a peds NP; the ratio isn't a whole lot better at the big Level I centers in this area, certainly not enough to staff a trauma bay unless you made your CENs work 12x7. :uhoh3:)

I'd be interested to know if that policy actually improves their patient outcomes, and if it has I'd love to see the numbers. We're actively promoting CEN in our department as part of our push for Level II status, and frankly it's been a challenge - most people believe that you must be a certified genius to apply for it, and/or it's seen as a very expensive piece of resume padding. We might generate a little more traction if we could point to data that show "Get this credential and your patient outcomes will measurably improve."

Food for thought...

Murphyle - maybe they're pushing CEN as one of those Magnet Status things (IE: "show that your facility encourages speciality nurse ceritfication").... If you need any help with this let me know. - MB

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Specializes in Emergency.

I think it totally depends on the person. We have some new nurses only a few months who have taken and passed, and some others that have been ER nurses for years and have failed. One train of thought I have heard is to take it "before you learn things the "wrong" way." I think that studying for it definitely helps to become a better nurse, and the practice tests are a good tool to gauge when a person is "ready" to be tested.

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Specializes in 2.

A big question from an experienced RN who wants to get started in an ER.....

I have two years left to complete in a 4 year military commitment and then I would like to separate. I would like to pursue ER nursing after separation. I am already an ACLS instructor and I have BCLS and PALS. I will have TNCC before I separate. I will also be a nurse for 5 years before I separate. What is the best way to get started in the ED after I separate from the military?

Thanks,

Maverick

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Specializes in Emergency.

Maverickemt,

Apply. I'm serious. Just apply.

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Specializes in 2.

But is it a good idea to just apply even if I don't have any ED experience (hence new to ER)?

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But is it a good idea to just apply even if I don't have any ED experience (hence new to ER)?

The worst they can do is say no. With ACLS and TNCC already under your belt, you're already ahead of most applicants.

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Specializes in ED.
I would suggest working towards TNCC first. I want to get CEN, CTRN, CFRN certification and all the nurses I highly respect encouraged me to wait until I have more experience in those specialities. I did get TNCC a week after I passed my boards and made some good impressions/connections through that.

I agree with starting with TNCC. Its a little easier but good prep for CEN.

DC :-)

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Specializes in ED.

CEN is hard even for experienced ED nurses for one main reason. Each ED has its own policies, procedures, and most important, favorite drug list.

I am studying for CEN now at 2 years experience and I could not pass the test yet based on the many sample tests I take. Problem is, for example, we use one set of drugs for each type of complaint. There are many drugs in the sample questions I have never heard of, and others that I learned about in school that I just can't remember enough about due to lack of using them.

There are also lab questions I can't yet answer because as the ED nurse, with the doctor right there, and our computers telling us when those labs are out of normal range, that I just don't have to remember.

Plus things like ABG's: the RTs hand the results directly to the doctor, and the doc writes orders based on those results before I ever get to see them. And I rarely have time to go back and look at them.

So, imho, go ahead and start studying for CEN now, but only take the test once you can pass the sample tests easily, whether that's next week or two years from now.

DC :-)

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Specializes in ED.
The worst they can do is say no. With ACLS and TNCC already under your belt, you're already ahead of most applicants.

maverickemt is correct. EDs do hire fresh graduates (like I was), and with ACLS and TNCC you are already ahead of the game. Add in 5 years as an nurse. As long as there are openings, you should have little trouble.

DC :-)

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I just passed the CEN. The passing score is 105/150. I have been a nurse for 14 years with no ER experience. I decided to take this test to strengthen my resume before applying to the ED. It was extremely challenging for me. I scored 110/150 with probably 200 plus hours of studying and watching videos. I did get the ENA CEN test book which was great because it has 5 written practice tests and 2 online tests, similar to the real test. I also watched all of Mark Boswell's videos on Youtube and downloaded as many of Jeff Solheim's Pdf's as I could. I also have taken TNCC, PALS, and ACLS. It is do-able without ER experience but I bet it would have been ALOT easier with experience. Good luck to all!!!!!

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