Preparing for the Certified Nurse Educator^CM Examination

Before you begin to study for the Certified Nurse Educator examination, please make sure that you meet the eligibility requirements. The Certified Nurse Educator examination is designed to assess the knowledge one has acquired as a result of engaging in the full scope of the faculty role. To that end, it is recommended that in preparing for this examination, you begin by reviewing the following:

1. The detailed test blueprint (PDF) to identify the content areas that will be on the exam and to determine which areas you should focus your study.
2. The test blueprint (PDF) to understand how each content area is weighted, and to review the percentage of questions that pertain to each area.
3. The recommended reference list (PDF), which provides references specific to each of the content areas. The recommended reference list is provided to serve as a guide and is not intended to be all-inclusive.
4. Sample questions, which can be found on pages 12-13 of the Candidate Handbook. These sample questions are similar to those found on the examination, but do not represent the full range of content or levels of difficulty.

In addition, we have the following resources available for purchase:

1. The Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators developed in 2005 by the National League for Nursing’s Certification Governance Committee. This document describes academic nursing education as a specialty area and an advanced nursing practice role within professional nursing. The description includes: definition, historical perspective, values and beliefs, theoretical framework, scope of practice, and competencies or standards of practice. To order your copy of The Scope of Practice for Academic Nurse Educators, visit www.nln.org/publications/scope/index.htm.
2. A Self-Assessment Examination (SAE) is an internet-based, 65-item, multiple- choice practice examination and can be considered a learning tool and assessment instrument that is parallel in form to the actual CNE examination. The CNE SAE is a half-length examination that will meet the examination specifications including content outline coverage, percentage of items in each of the content categories and the cognitive complexity item distribution. By taking the SAE, candidates will be able to practice taking CNE-type questions, experience computer based testing, review rationales for correct and incorrect answers and receive a score report to assess strengths and areas for additional study. Note: those who purchase the SAE will be provided online access to this product for 60 days from the date of purchase. For additional information please click here.

For those who are interested in attending a certification prep workshop, the NLN is offering the following sponsored and co-sponsored events:

• May 16, 2008
  NLN Preparation Course for Certification as a Nurse Educator
  Presenter: Patricia A. Mahoney, MSN, RN, CNE
  Mankato, MN

• May 30, 2008
  NLN Preparation Course for Certification as a Nurse Educator
  Presenter: Patricia A. Mahoney, MSN, RN, CNE
  Galen College of Nursing-Galt House, Louisville, KY

• June 14, 2008
  NLN Preparation Course for Certification as a Nurse Educator
  Presenter: Patricia A. Mahoney, MSN, RN, CNE
  Villanova, PA

• September 17, 2008
  The NLN Preparation Course for Certification as a Nurse Educator
  Presenter: Patricia A. Mahoney, MSN, RN, CNE
  Pre-Summit Workshop
  San Antonio Riverwalk Hotel, San Antonio, TX

For information about all of the faculty development events the NLN has to offer, click here.

Please make certain that you carefully review the Candidate Handbook for complete information about the Certified Nurse Educator examination.

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