Your Guide to CPEN

®

Certification

Why Certify?

Nurses seek certification for different reasons:

    Professional development Career advancement Patient outcomes Public accountability

Your Benefits

     Recognition from colleagues Personal accomplishment Increased confidence in clinical skills Increased job satisfaction An edge on career advancement

Professional Benefits

 Special recognition      Peers Nurses Week, Certified Nurses Day Patients/families Credential on name badges Opt-in to BCEN ® Registry for public listing

Professional Benefits

 Potential for career/financial rewards    Bonuses Salary differential Send proof of your credential to your current employer, or to potential employers, using BCEN’s online Publish Credential service

Professional Benefits

 Proof of professional growth  Meets a national standard for specialized knowledge  Certified RNs = quality indicator for Magnet ®  CPENs are Category N for Magnet application

“ Nurses who are nationally certified carry a body of knowledge that directly impacts patient outcomes. Patient outcomes are a large part of advancing on the clinical ladder.”

Debbie White, MSN, MSA, RN, ACNS-BC, NEA-BC Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer Saint Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, MO From State of Nursing Salaries: 2011

Patient Benefits

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Increases consumer confidence Promotes accountability Increases awareness of nursing certification

“Nearly 8 out of 10 people surveyed in 2002 were aware that nurses could be certified in a specialty area—in fact, more aware of nurse certification than teacher or physician certification.” Harris Interactive, Inc. American Association of Critical Care Nurses Survey. November 2002.

What is the CPEN Exam?

 Exam developed jointly by PNCB and BCEN  Tests knowledge and skills of RNs who provide urgent and emergent nursing care to pediatric patients    Experience-based Not limited to peds-only or ED-only RNs Content reviewed and updated, if needed, every 4 to 5 years

Who is BCEN

®

?

Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing   Established in 1979 Largest certification board for emergency nursing professionals  Develops robust certification exams fostering empowered nurses across the emergency spectrum, who contribute noticeably to patient care, safety, and outcomes

Who is PNCB?

Pediatric Nursing Certification Board  Established in 1975 by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNAP)  Largest certification board for nursing professionals who care for pediatric populations  Strengthening care for children is at the heart of everything PNCB does

CPEN Exam Eligibility

Recommended

 2 years of full-time practice in pediatric emergency nursing care  Direct care, health care facilitation, education, and advocacy for pediatric emergency patients and their families

Required

 1,000 hours in pediatric emergency nursing practice as an RN in the past 24 months  A current, active, unrestricted RN license in the U.S. or Canada

Eligibility Examples

 Full-time employment as an emergency nurse in a pediatric emergency setting for 6 months, or  Full-time employment as an emergency nurse in a mixed age emergency setting for 2 years with a population of approximately 20% pediatric patients, or  Part-time employment as an emergency nurse in a pediatric emergency setting, for example, 20 hours per week for 1 year, or  Any other combination of practice involving direct care, health care facilitation, education, and advocacy for pediatric patients and their families for a total of 1,000 hours in the past 24 months.

Eligibility FAQs

Q: A: Do I need a BSN to take the exam?

No. You can hold a diploma, associate’s degree, bachelor’s, or master’s degree in nursing.

Q: A: Q: A: If I have 1,000 hours of experience before I reach the 24-month point, do I have to wait to apply?

No. This timeframe just makes sure the

experience is recent.

What counts for clinical practice hours? Providing direct care, health care facilitation, education, and advocacy for patients and families.

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Exam Content Outline

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CPEN Reference List

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CPEN Exam Prep

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Test-taking Strategies Modules

CPEN Content Outline

 Consists of six major content areas: 1. Triage process 2. Assessment 3. Technical skills 4. Medical conditions 5. Surgical/Trauma emergencies/Procedural sedation 6. Special considerations  Lists percentage of questions in each subject matter area  Access the detailed content outline here

CPEN Exam

  175 multiple-choice questions Tests your ability to apply knowledge and think critically  Goal is to determine one best answer among choices  For current pass rates, visit the BCEN website or the PNCB website .

Reference List

  A list of respected texts Consider using one textbook with which you’re familiar  Not inclusive of all resources that could be used  Access the reference list here

What texts are available where you work?

Are funds available to create a study library?

CPEN Prep Exam

Optional online practice test developed by BCEN and PNCB     50 questions Shows how questions are presented Includes the rationale for answers Score report can show weak areas and help you focus your studies

See Not a study or review course.

the prep exam webpage for current pricing.

Test-taking Strategies Module

Optional online learning activity developed by PNCB   Exam preparation tips Strategies for answering multiple choice exam questions  Techniques to manage test anxiety

Not a study or review course.

See PNCB’s website for current pricing.

Preparation FAQs

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Q:

A:

Do I have to take a review course?

No, BCEN and PNCB do not require that you take a review course. We can’t endorse a review course, but BCEN lists classes as a courtesy here .

Does PNCB or BCEN offer a review book or course?

No. Doing so would be a conflict of interest, especially if a candidate failed the exam after paying for a PNCB or BCEN review.

Can BCEN or PNCB recommend the best text?

We can’t endorse specific texts or review courses, but we recommend using one pediatric emergency nursing textbook with which you’re familiar.

Tip!

Know colleagues who recently passed? Ask what texts or other resources they found most helpful.

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Apply Online with AMP

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Schedule Exam with AMP

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Take the Exam at AMP

How do I apply?

Allow 15 minutes to complete the online application. Have your RN license info handy.      Go to the Applied Measurement Professionals (AMP) website . Click “Candidates.” Select category, program, and exam.

Enter requested information.

   Basic info about you RN licensure Education and employment Pay the exam fee.

Tip!

You will need to take your exam within 90 days of applying. Be sure you’re ready to schedule your test within that timeframe when you submit the application .

Eligibility Notification

This is your green light to schedule your exam!

 You can set your exam date, time, and location at the time of application or  Schedule your test after AMP notifies you by email and postcard that your application is approved  Check your spam/junk folder for this important email.

Important timing information: You receive a 90-day testing window soon after applying:  You must schedule your test date and sit for the exam during that timeframe.

Scheduling Your Exam

 Soon after eligibility notification, visit Applied Measurement Professionals online to schedule your testing day and time.  Changing or cancelling test dates is managed by AMP.

 A 90-day extension is available from AMP for a fee.

Tip!

Even before you apply, find the closest testing center to you at AMP’s website .

Test Administration

 You will test at a proctored AMP Testing Center.     More than 200 locations across the U.S.

3 hours testing time 175 multiple-choice questions You’ll be offered a tutorial on using the computer.

 Pass/fail status received before leaving the center (official mailed results within 3 weeks)

What to Expect

Watch a 5-minute video about scheduling and testing with Applied Measurement Professionals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYUFF-Sux28

Test Administration Tips

  Arrive at least 30 minutes early.

Bring the 2 required, unexpired IDs matching your name on your application.

 Download your Candidate Handbook for explanations of all policies, including what can and cannot be brought in with you.

 You are allowed to take breaks, but they count as part of your testing time.

Testing FAQs

Q:

A:

Is the CPEN exam like the NCLEX?

While there are similarities (e.g., testing on a computer in a secure, proctored environment), there are also differences. The CPEN exam asks only multiple-choice questions, while NCLEX contains alternate item formats (fill in the blanks, hot spot items, etc.). With the CPEN exam, you can also return to questions and change an answer before final submission. The CPEN exam does not use adaptive testing, which can vary the number of questions a candidate sees, and ends when competence is determined. The CPEN exam does not end until 3 hours are up, or unless you submit answers before that time limit.

More Testing FAQs

Q:

A:

Is there a penalty for incorrect answers?

No, so it is better to answer every item rather than skip any items.

Q:

A:

How is the exam scored?

The number of questions that must be answered correctly to pass is decided by a psychometrician and an expert panel of CPENs. Each question is evaluated for difficulty. Each test form is analyzed for the passing cut point. Your ability to pass the examination depends on the knowledge and skill you display, not on the performance of other candidates.

After the Exam

Candidates who pass

 Receive pass packet by mail in 3 weeks  Celebrate your achievement!

 Wear your lapel pin      Frame your certificate Let your leadership know Use BCEN’s online Publish Credential service Opt-in to BCEN’s online Public Registry Ask CPEN to be added to your name badge  Get familiar with the recertification process

Candidates who are unsuccessful

 Score report mailed in 2-3 weeks   Reduced fee to retest 90-day waiting period to retest

Celebrate & Recognize!

Visit the PNCB or BCEN websites for…  T-shirts     Badge appliques Plaques Download a sample press release Print out a Wall of Distinction poster

Maintaining Certification

All certification boards require a renewal process. CPEN recertification documents that you’re keeping practice and knowledge current. CPENs recertify every 4 years.

 The testing company (AMP) will contact you with reminders.

 Learn what counts for your recertification here .

Questions?

Visit our websites or contact us for assistance: AMP

online.goamp.com

888-519-9901

BCEN

www.BCENcertifications.org

877-302-BCEN

PNCB

www.pncb-cpen.org

888-641-2767 ?

Free Resources

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Unit meetings? Skills fairs? Certified Nurses Day or Nurses Week events?

Order free materials here

Thank you!

BCEN and PNCB thank you for the difference you make for children in your ED.

We wish you much success in your future professional development!