Your Guide to CPEN® Certification

Get Recognition. Get

Ahead.

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-BCVice President and Chief Nursing OfficerSaint Luke's Hospital, Kansas City, MOFrom State of Nursing Salaries: 2011

Patient Benefits

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

Recommended2 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

Required1,000 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: Do I need a BSN to take the exam?

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

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

A: No. This timeframe just makes sure the experience is recent.

Q: What counts for clinical practice hours?

A: Providing direct care, health care facilitation, education, and advocacy for patients and families.

Prepara

tion

Reso

urc

esExam Content Outline1

CPEN Reference List2

CPEN Exam Prep3

Test-taking Strategies Modules4

CPEN Content Outline

Consists of six major content areas:

Lists percentage of questions in each subject matter area

Access the detailed content outline here

1. Triage process

2. Assessment

3. Technical skills

4. Medical conditions

5. Surgical/Trauma emergencies/Procedural sedation

6. Special considerations

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

Not a study or review course.See 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: Do I have to take a review course?

A: 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.

Q: Does PNCB or BCEN offer a review book or course?

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

Q: Can BCEN or PNCB recommend the best text?

A: 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.

Ste

ps

in A

pply

ing

& T

est

ing

Apply Online with AMP1

Schedule Exam with AMP2

Take the Exam at AMP3

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: Is the CPEN exam like the NCLEX?

A: 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: Is there a penalty for incorrect answers?

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

Q: How is the exam scored?

A: 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:

AMPonline.goamp.com888-519-9901

BCENwww.BCENcertifications.org 877-302-BCEN

PNCBwww.pncb-cpen.org 888-641-2767

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Free Resources

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!