New to ER and getting CEN?

Specialties Emergency

Published

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 Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.

I remain perplexed as to why a non-ER nurse or nurse new to the ER would want to immediately obtain CEN certification. While I'm sure I could study and pass a standardized test in a specialty area other than mine ... what would be the point? If I were to pass, say, CNOR ... what does that say about me in terms of perioperative nursing? Nothing -- as I've never worked a day in the OR and have no experiential knowledge.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
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!!!!![/quote']

Hmm. You have seriously have me interested in trying this if I decide to return to the ER...:yes:

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.
I remain perplexed as to why a non-ER nurse or nurse new to the ER would want to immediately obtain CEN certification. While I'm sure I could study and pass a standardized test in a specialty area other than mine ... what would be the point? If I were to pass say, CNOR ... what does that say about me in terms of perioperative nursing? Nothing -- as I've never worked a day in the OR and have no experiential knowledge.[/quote']

Maybe it's me, but I think that being a CNOR would be a way for one who have a familiarity and less anxiety in stepping into the perioperative system. You still have to learn the culture of the doctors and the unit as a whole, including procedures. It may make an easier transition in regards to terminology, rationales, etc. I don't see it as good or bad...

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Do you think being a medic prior to taking the test helped you at all?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.
Do you think being a medic prior to taking the test helped you at all?

If you're asking me, then yes.

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