Passed my CEN today

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Specializes in ER.

I just wanted to pass along the good news! Good news to me anyway :) I have been a nurse a long time and have just not been motivated until now to take it. A bad job market and personal satisfaction were the driving forces for me to take it.

I had studied based on Sheehy's Manual of Emergency Care and the CEN study guide/practice tests. I was amazed at how convoluted some of the questions were, but I was always able to narrow down the answers to 2 even when I wasn't sure of the answer.

I wish I hadn't waited so long to take it, but glad I did!

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I am planning on taking it soon......any pointers??

I have been a Nurse for 19 years and 12 in ER

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

Congrats, Dixielee! I'm occasionally studying for my NICU certification, but not in any great hurry. Don't plan to take 38 years to do it, but yeah!

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Specializes in ER.
I am planning on taking it soon......any pointers??

I have been a Nurse for 19 years and 12 in ER

Do the practice tests! I cannot emphasize that enough. Carefully read the question to see if they want assessment or intervention. There are a lot of critical thinking questions, and not really a lot of rote memory stuff like ACLS and PALS. It was much heavier on physiology than I thought it would be.

If you have an opportunity to take a review class, do it. My hospital sponsored a 2 day class, taught by our staff and it was invaluable.

There is plenty of time to take the test, so sit back and read the question and all the answers before you make up your mind which answer is correct. As I read some of the questions I immediately knew the answer, but then it was not an option! So take your time and see what they really are asking.

A number of fairly new RN's (2-3 years) who I greatly respect and think are great nurses failed the CEN. I expected them to do well because it hasn't been too long since they took the NCLEX. I took "state boards" long before they were called NCLEX so I was not sure how the questions would be structured. I know that my ICU background helped on a lot of the questions and really don't know why the newer nurses failed.

Good luck to you. If you don't have Sheehy's already, it is a great resource. It is very straight forward and gets to the point of the problem quickly (like ED nurses like to do) and doesn't bog you down with a lot of extraneous information.

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Specializes in ER.
Congrats, Dixielee! I'm occasionally studying for my NICU certification, but not in any great hurry. Don't plan to take 38 years to do it, but yeah!

Yes! Please don't take 38 years! I had toyed with the idea, and signed up for a review class on a whim! Our management gave us 90 days to take the test after the review so I was committed. Once you commit to taking a national certification, I think you just have to stay focused and go for broke! Let us know before 38 years so we can congratulate you. I'm not sure I'll be around another 38!

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I've been an ER nurse for 2.5 years (just been a nurse shy of 3 years all together) and I'm very interested in taking the CEN. Our hospital will be offering a review course. I'm concerned because I havent been a nurse that long and it's been recommended to atleast have 5 years under your belt as an ER nurse. What do you suggest? Also what study materials do you recommend?

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Specializes in ER.
I've been an ER nurse for 2.5 years (just been a nurse shy of 3 years all together) and I'm very interested in taking the CEN. Our hospital will be offering a review course. I'm concerned because I havent been a nurse that long and it's been recommended to atleast have 5 years under your belt as an ER nurse. What do you suggest? Also what study materials do you recommend?

I think the 5 year advice is good advice. Those first few years you are really just getting your feet wet. It depends on the size and scope of your ED as well. You will of course get a lot more exposure to a variety of cases in a larger hospital, trauma center or teaching hospital than you will in a small community hospital. That said, some of the worst trauma cases in my memory were from a 12 bed ED in farm country. Those country boys with their big farm toys can mess a body up!

Definitely take the review class before you take the test. Ours was a two day course and quite comprehensive. If you don't have Sheehy's book, you should order it today. It is a great reference book to have even if you don't take the test. Get a copy of the most current ENA produced CEN test book. It has 5 practice tests with 150 questions each, and access to 2 online tests. That is basically what I used. Start studying early. It's not a test you can cram for.

Good luck!

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Thank you so much for this info! I will be definately ordering Sheehy's book. I will also look into the ENA test book. Do you have to be a member of ENA in order to get the online tests?

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Specializes in EMS, ED, Trauma, CEN, CPEN, TCRN.

Congrats, Dixielee!! :) Nice work.

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Specializes in ER.
Thank you so much for this info! I will be definately ordering Sheehy's book. I will also look into the ENA test book. Do you have to be a member of ENA in order to get the online tests?

No, you don't have to be a member, but the cost of the exam is cheaper if you are a member, and the benefits to being an ENA member are significant. Why not join and support the professional organization that is working to improve the lives of patients and ED nurses!

My hospital bought the books for us when we committed to take the test though. Good luck to you. It feels good to have the certification!

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