About Exams

Certifications are developed and earned typically from a certification corporation, such as BCEN®. Certifications are designed to elevate professional standards and enhance individual performance.

BCEN certifications provide designations to nursing professionals who demonstrate the knowledge essential to the specialty of emergency nursing care, associated specialties and subspecialties.

The objectives of certification are to promote quality emergency nursing care by:

• Establishing a level of knowledge, competency, requirements, and achievements

• Measuring the attainment of a defined body of knowledge needed to function at the competent level

• Encouraging participation in continuing education

• Promoting professional development and career advancement

• Providing employers, patients and peers a mechanism to recognize knowledgeable professionals

• Promoting self-confidence

Upon successful completion of a BCEN certification exam, emergency nursing care professionals earn the privilege of using the appropriate credential with their name to be formally recognized by employers, patients, peers, and the public.

BCEN certifications can be viewed as an indication that the nurse has demonstrated the knowledge needed for competency to practice, as well as a commitment to continuing education and evidence of dedication to the practice of flight nursing care.

BCEN exams are based on specialty nursing role delineation studies. These research studies also known as a practice analysis or job analysis are conducted by exam committees of subject matter experts.

As part of the role delineation study, survey instruments are distributed throughout the United States. The survey responses guide the exam committee in determining tasks and knowledge areas.The integrated concepts, cognitive level distribution, and the number of items (questions) specified within each content area are developed by an iterative process resulting in unanimous agreement from the exam committee. Click here to access the 2014 Executive Summary titled, A National Role Delineation Study of the Transport Nurse.

Item writers create test questions and the items are reviewed, revised, and approved by the exam committee. The items are also repeatedly reviewed throughout the test development process.

Examinations are delivered by computer at Pearson VUE testing centers. The examinations are administered daily Monday through Friday depending on appointment availability (national holidays excluded.)