Taking the CEN to get hired at a trauma center

[alkayda]

I have been applying to various trauma centers within the Los Angeles and Orange County region in hopes of obtaining an ER RN position. I have 1.5 years telemetry/ICU experience. I have no ER experience as an RN. I've followed up the hospitals that I had applied to and they all ask if I have ER experience. Despite no ER experience, I am currently studying for the CEN. By becoming a CEN, will it make a big difference when it comes to applying to trauma centers? I always see at the bottom of the application "CEN preferred." Will a trauma center hire me if I have a CEN, but with no ER experience? Thank you.

[berk15]

Its recommended that you work in an ER for two years prior to take the exam..so I wouldn't think that would really help you any. Do you have other certifications - ACLS, PALS, TNCC, NRP? Maybe try applying to a level 3 or 4 trauma center, not sure what the hospitals are like out there but level 1 and 2s usually don't hire nurses without ER experience.

[sserrn, BSN]

I would take ACLS & PALS instead. The CEN, in my opinion, doesn't mean a whole lot without any experience to back it up.

[Altra, BSN, RN]

I do not believe in taking tests for specialty certification without actually having applicable, "expert level" experience in that specialty, so I would not give additional consideration to a candidate who had passed an exam but lacked any actual experience in a specialty area.

[shoegalRN, RN]

I'm in agreement with the previous posts. I have been an ER nurse for 3 years (RN for 4 years) and I work in an Level I trauma center. I have been studying to take the CEN for the last 2 months.

Most of what I am studying relates to my job as an ER nurse and I pull examples from real life work experiences.

I don't see how taking the CEN without actual ER experience is going to benefit you.

Just my opinion.

[Susie2310]

To the OP, if you haven't already done so, I recommend reading previous threads on the CEN exam.

[abhinay]

do you worked kaplan online tests or kaplanquestion bank for preparing

[DavidDudley]

In regards to the OP, instead of directly applying to to ER, apply for what you already have experience in and once your foot is in the door you'll be able to network with the folks in their ER and eventually you'll be able to transfer. Trying to get certifications and applying directly as an outsider won't do you much good

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

do you worked kaplan online tests or kaplan question bank for preparing

These American based certifications have nothing to do with Kaplan or NCLEX

[Adenosine6]

Majority of the responses above are "No," which I to concur.

However, I'm part of the ER interview committee in my Dept., having the CEN would mostly benefit you if, another applicant has similar Nursing background as you (Tele/ICU, and years of experience). Our culture in my department and most ERs, if there are two applicants; ER experience vs. Tele/ICU experience; 95% of the time we will take the ER RN. The only 5% of RN's (Tele/ICU) that have worked their way in, is "who they know" (managers, charge nurses, nursing sup) or Job Realignment and they are pushed into the ER (because we are somewhat always hiring). GL