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Passing the CEN exam entitles you to a valuable certification in the emergency nursing field. You should have had at least two years of nursing experience in an emergency medicine setting before you take the test. Your certification is valid for four years after the test date and can be renewed after that.

The CEN consists of 150 scored questions and 25 unscored items. All of the questions on the CEN are traditional multiple choice. You will have 180 minutes (three hours) to complete the test. This includes a maximum of two self-scheduled 10-minute breaks, but the testing clock does not stop for these.

Sections of the CEN

Cardiovascular Emergencies

Emergencies regarding cardiovascular functioning can be varied, but most of them are life-threatening at some point. Anything having to do with the heart and/or blood flow falls into this category. All such circumstances require not only emergency treatment but continued monitoring to ensure recovery.

Environment and Toxicology Emergencies and Communicable Diseases

Emergencies of this nature can be caused by substances that are encountered by the body in the environment, such as toxins, electrical current, hot liquids, and chemicals. Communicable diseases are also covered in this category, including serious ones that are difficult to treat and present challenges in terms of controlling their spread.

Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Gynecology, and Obstetrical Emergencies

This category of emergencies covers four diverse types, each of which presents multiple challenges in both diagnosis and treatment. When a patient complains of a “tummy ache,” the cause could be widely varied, and the patient must be thoroughly assessed, both through interviews and testing.

Maxillofacial and Ocular Emergencies

These types of emergencies involve injuries to or disorders of the face and eyes. They can involve external trauma or diseases that affect internal structures. Medical personnel from several specialty areas may need to work together to assess and treat the patient, and there may be more than one related issue of concern.

Medical Emergencies

Medical emergencies can involve one or more body systems and may concern things like fluid levels, kidney function, and allergic reactions. They are widely varied and can require an interdisciplinary approach during assessment and treatment. A medical emergency may occur suddenly or be the result of an ongoing illness, such as HIV/AIDS.

Mental Health Emergencies

This type of emergency may involve an isolated instance, or it may be part of an ongoing mental health issue. Whatever the cause, mental health emergencies require careful evaluation and treatment. They also may involve physical symptoms that must be treated, as in the case of overdose or accidental ingestion.

Musculoskeletal and Wound Emergencies

A musculoskeletal emergency generally involves an internal issue, while a wound emergency is the result of damage to the outside of the body. Either can be the result of an accident or an illness. Additionally, both types of emergencies may be present in one situation, especially when an accident has occurred.

Neurological Emergencies

Emergencies involving the brain and nervous system are often part of a larger diagnosis and may hold the key to other health issues. They can be of a simple nature, such as migraine headaches, or more complicated, as in the case of increased intracranial pressure (ICP), which warrants further diagnostic procedures.

Professional Issues

Some professional concerns revolve around the nurse and their quality of practice. Others involve patient rights as they are receiving nursing care. Then there are the emergency concerns that occur in the event of a mass disaster. In an emergency situation, decisions must often be made quickly, and the nurse must operate within the guidelines of good practice and the law.

Respiratory Emergencies

A respiratory emergency is often a life-threatening situation, and response must be quick and appropriate. This is complicated by the fact that these emergencies frequently involve children, but even at any age, the patient will be in severe distress and physical danger when breathing is compromised.

What to Expect on Test Day

You will need to arrive at least 30 minutes before your testing appointment. If you are late, you may not be admitted to the test. When you arrive, you must be photographed and review and sign the rules and regulations agreement for the CEN.

What to Bring

You’ll need a current, government-issued ID with a picture to be admitted to the test. The ID must also include your signature. Be sure that the first and last name on your ID are exactly the same as those you used to schedule your exam.

A calculator may or may not be allowed in the testing room for the CEN (check with your testing center). If it is, it must be:

non-programmable
silent
battery operated

It also cannot have any printing capability or an alphabet keyboard.

What Not to Bring

There are no personal items allowed in the CEN testing room, but there should be secured storage available at the center. You may want to check with your testing center to confirm this or just leave all personal items in your car or at home.

While you cannot bring your own, two pieces of scratch paper will be provided. These must be discarded at the conclusion of the exam.

Best Ways to Study for the CEN

Take CEN Practice Tests

The best way to become accustomed to the CEN exam is to practice using reliable sources for practice questions. Union Test Prep has plenty of these for you.

Use Alternative Study Methods

It’s helpful to vary your study experience by using things like flashcards to cement all those terms and procedures. Union Test Prep also has these, as well as detailed study guides to guide you through the studying process.

Simulate the Testing Experience

When you use practice questions, be sure to try completing them within the same time allotment you will have on the actual test. This will give you an idea of how long you have to spend on each question before running out of time.

CEN Tips and Tricks

Scheduling Your Test

When your test registration is confirmed by email, you will have a 90-day window to schedule the test. It is important that you have a good idea of the approximate date you wish to test before you register and pay. Then, immediately upon receiving your registration confirmation email, schedule your test. as seating may be limited.

Paying for Your Test

While payment by check is accepted, it can take up to four weeks to process checks. Alternatively, the following payment methods are processed immediately: credit card, EChecks/ACH, and voucher payments.

Discounts for Military and Professional Organization Members

There are reduced testing costs for members of the military who may also be eligible for a reimbursement from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). You may also receive a discount by being a member of the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA).

Breaks During the Test

You are allowed to take two breaks during the CEN exam. Each must not be over 10 minutes in length, and you’ll need to show your ID again to be readmitted to the testing room. Keep in mind that your testing clock does not stop during these breaks, so use them wisely.

CEN FAQ:

1. Do I have to take the CEN exam at a testing center?

No, if you do not want to take the CEN at a testing center, you may do so at home using their live remote proctoring. The test delivered this way is exactly the same as the one you would take at a testing center.

2. Can I bring a calculator?

Some testing centers do allow calculators for the CEN; check with them ahead of time. If a calculator is allowed in the testing room, it must be:

non-programmable
silent
battery operated

It also cannot have any printing capability or an alphabet keyboard.

3. Can I retake the CEN if I don’t pass the first time?

If you do not receive a passing score, the CEN may be retaken. You do have to wait 90 days between testing sessions, but there is no limit on the number of times you can retake the exam.

4. Can I reschedule my CEN exam appointment?

It is possible to reschedule your testing session; however, the new date must fall within the same 90-day testing window that you were given when you first registered. If it does not, you will forfeit any testing fee that you paid.