TNS or CEN?

Veteran Nurse · Nov 20, 2005

TNS is a course you take, and recieve confirmation that you took the class.

CEN however, is a certification exam that tests your body of knowledge of emergency nursing. It is like comparing oranges and antelopes.

For example, you would not put "Jane Smith RN, TNS" as your credentials.

You would use "Jane Smith RN, CEN" as your credentials. Do you get it?:uhoh21:

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Nov 20, 2005

I have taken BLS,ACLS,TNCC,PALS,and ECRN. Now I want to take either TNS or CEN. Those of you who have taken one or both which would you suggest and how did you prepare for the test. I most likely will have to pay for it on my own since I just went registry so I want to PASS. Thanks in advance.

take the cen. it carries more overall weight on a resume.

what is your background? would you be interested in the ccrn?

TZRNER · Nov 20, 2005

My background is I graduated in May 2004 and have been working in a level 2 ER since....I am going to stay there registry and go to a trauma center after I have 2 years experience. How is the CCRN? I've heard at work that no one passes the CEN the first time...Could be they don't want "a new Nurse" having more certificates then some of the old set in there way nurses..Our hospital gives an 8% pay raise for either TNS or CEN.

squidnurse · Nov 20, 2005

I would take (and I did take) the CEN. Be aware that the questions are geared towards a nurse with an average minimum of 5 years of ED experience. There are plenty of study aids available for the CEN; I'd recommend picking up a review manual that comes with a CD-ROM for your computer. The CD contains old CEN exam questions set up in an identical format to the test you will take. Try and find two or three other nurses interested in taking the exam: ENA offers a discount on the testing fees if there are multiple applicants.

As for "everyone fails it the first time?" Not true. I (and most of the CENs I work with) passed the first time and did quite well, depending on how much study we each did.

Glad to hear that your facility honors the CEN with a higher pay scale. Wish mine did...

tridil2000, MSN, RN · Nov 20, 2005

My background is I graduated in May 2004 and have been working in a level 2 ER since....I am going to stay there registry and go to a trauma center after I have 2 years experience. How is the CCRN? I've heard at work that no one passes the CEN the first time...Could be they don't want "a new Nurse" having more certificates then some of the old set in there way nurses..Our hospital gives an 8% pay raise for either TNS or CEN.

you will need to study for the cen, but yes, you can pass. i passed the first time.

as far as the ccrn, you don't meet the criteria yet. you must have 2 years experience in critical care. er does count though. you will have to study for that too.

don't worry about the old timers. keep up your studies and your spirit. you'll prevail!

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Nov 23, 2005

The CEN is relatively easy compared to CCRN (having taken both). I found that the CEN should be easily passed by anybody with at least 1 year of experience in a busy ED, as long as you know how to answer their questions (which several use outdated references for their "correct" answers).

You can put TNS behind your name but your state may not recognize it (Illinois does, Indiana does not for example). You can also put CEN or CCRN or whatever you have EARNED behind your name. But what it boils down to is does your state or agency recognize it and do you get anything besides personal and professional satisfaction.

Good luck and do both.

RNCENCCRNNREMTP · Nov 23, 2005

TNS is a course you take, and recieve confirmation that you took the class.
CEN however, is a certification exam that tests your body of knowledge of emergency nursing. It is like comparing oranges and antelopes.
For example, you would not put "Jane Smith RN, TNS" as your credentials.
You would use "Jane Smith RN, CEN" as your credentials. Do you get it?:uhoh21:

I was just at an ATCN course in St. Louis and was taught by many Illinois nurses who wore "TNS" on their badges. TNS is indeed a class but it ends with a very difficult written and practical trauma exam.

IF you earned the TNS show off the TNS!

Trauma Columnist · Nov 23, 2005

Personally, I'm an IL ER RN and have both the TNS and CEN. I found the TNS test much harder than the CEN. However, TNS is only recognized in IL, so I think the CEN is much more marketable.

Victoriakem · Nov 30, 2005

I was just at an ATCN course in St. Louis and was taught by many Illinois nurses who wore "TNS" on their badges. TNS is indeed a class but it ends with a very difficult written and practical trauma exam.
IF you earned the TNS show off the TNS!

I would like info on TNS. I live in Maryland & did take the CEN but didn't pass, sh*t.

silver1 · Oct 31, 2009

Is the TNS still offered, if so by whom?

I do have my CEN already, but I'm always looking for opportunities to increase my knowledge (and resume).

Passed CEN without ever working a single day in the ED, one week of studying , but I did work in a level 1 trauma center in TICU. Its a knowledge based test.

CraigB-RN, MSN, RN · Oct 31, 2009

My background is I graduated in May 2004 and have been working in a level 2 ER since....I am going to stay there registry and go to a trauma center after I have 2 years experience. How is the CCRN? I've heard at work that no one passes the CEN the first time...Could be they don't want "a new Nurse" having more certificates then some of the old set in there way nurses..Our hospital gives an 8% pay raise for either TNS or CEN.

I passed it the first time and all of my co-workers past it the first time. The CEN exam is a pretty straight forward exam and despite what people will tell you, it's not geared for someone who has worked in an ED for 5 years. I''ve known medics who took the exam as soon as they had their nursing license and passed.

I would recomend goint to ENA.org for the CEN and AACN.org for the CCRN. Of the two, the CCRN means more to me.

As to TNS vs CEN, well the TNS could be a job description, as it is were I work now, I'm one of the Trauma Nurse Specialists. The CEN is a national recognized certification.

If you've been working in an ED for 2 years, do a review and take the exam. The CEN exam isn't rocket science, it's basic, if focused, nursing care. If you've got specific questions, ask them.