CEN Exam Course

CEN Exam Course – Preparing For Success!!

CEN Exam Overview

The CEN is for nurses working in the emergency department.  Flight nurses may also take this certification as well.  The CEN Exam covers the following topics; gastrointestinal emergencies; genitourinary, gynecology, and obstetrical emergencies; maxillofacial and ocular emergencies; neurological emergencies; psycho/social emergencies; respiratory emergencies; environment and toxicology emergencies; shock; medical emergencies and communicable diseases; and professional issues.  The CEN Exam is divided up based on the following; assessment 26%, Analysis 23%, intervention 30% and evaluation 20%.  There is a total of 175 questions on the exam; 150 are scored and 25 unscored pretest items.  You will be allowed 180 minutes to complete the exam.  After the exam is complete, you will receive a score report indicating whether you passed or failed the exam.  If you do not pass the exam, there is a 90 day waiting period for retesting.

CEN Preparation Strategies For Success

Taking and passing the CEN Exam on the first attempt can be a tough ordeal.  Some nurses are successful and some are not.  I have seen in times past where really smart nurses fail the CEN exam, and nurses that are not so bright, pass the exam on the first attempt.  That backwards scenario has nothing to do with luck or lack of preparation on either of the nurses part.  It has everything to do with fatigue.  If you are studying for the CEN exam and plan to be successful, you have to prepare for that 150 question exam the same way you would prepare for a marathon.  We call it, “The Marathon Effect.”  “The Marathon Effect” is all about mental and physical preparation.  I have never seen a runner go run a marathon and finish it or win it, without adequate preparation.  When preparing for the CEN Exam, it is always best to train yourself to take and complete the 150 question exam.  Start by taking 25 questions a day for 7 days, then 50 questions per day for 7 days, then 75 questions per day for 7 days, until you reach 150 questions.  If you prepare this way, you will know doubt pass the CEN exam on the first attempt.

CEN Practice Questions

Undoubtedly the toughest past of the CEN exam has to be the questions.  The primary key to answering the questions correctly has to do with content.  You will not be successful at answering the questions appropriately without a firm content base.  There is no replacement for content.  If you have a firm content base, you can answer any question that is thrown your way.  Make sure you have a firm grasp on the content then practice well over 3000 practice questions scoring an average of 80% or better and you should be fine.  Be sure to practice taking 175 questions in one setting without taking a break.  On test day, you will have to just that.  Most people fail the exam due to fatigue, not because of lack of knowledge.  If you develop a good content base and practice over 3000 questions, you should be able to master the CEN exam without having to retake the exam.