Emergency Nursing Core Curriculum

I would consider this the "Bible" of Emergency Nursing. It is respectable in that it is written and published by the ENA (Emergency Nurses Association). It has DOZENS of contributing authors from many different clinical/specialty backgrounds of Emergency Nursing. This book looks at the "core" knowledge base of Emergency Nurses and puts it in one place. While it's not a "casual" read, it is thorought. It's not written like some of those difficult "outline" books - there are actually paragraphs devoted to each topic. The index is pretty good also so you can look up specific references in the main text. It is a bit big and heavy. Probably not the best to carry in your work bag, but definitely worthy of taking up the needed space on your desk. Of course all the "traditional" content is here: cardiac, respiratory, neurology etc. Then there are more specific sections such as: Professionalism, Toxicology, Distasters, Substance Abuse, Sexual Assault and Forensics. One of the BEST things about this book (besides it being FRESH off the press as of Summer 2007) is that it was written FOR Emergency Nurses BY Emergency Nurses - people who are actively involved in Emergency Nursing care. Many of the listed authors and contributors I am familiar with via my dealings with the ENA and I can speak to these people's authority on their given topics. Finally, this book is so comprehensive that I have used it as my main outline when I wrote and developed my own 2-Day CEN (Certified Emergency Nurse) exam review course. I believe this manual (in addition to others I used) gives the most comprehensive view/curriculum/core content for Emergency Nurses and thus it is my "Bible" as well for the CEN classes I teach. [...]

A must read for the relatively new Emergency Department nurse, and a handbook for the veteran. This is THE gold standard, the bible, if you will, for the emergency practitioner. The ENA lays out the basics everyone must know in an easy to read format, indexed for quick reference at the bedside. It's also useful for late night insomnia LOL! 5 Star ratings; doesn't get much better than this. R Bryan RN BSN, CEN

This book was perfect for CEN prep. Following my CEN I found all of the information that I could remember that was tested in this book. Prior to the exam, I used practice tests and when I identified my weaknesses, I used this book to study that material at an indepth level.

It is the definitive work on core knowledge required of ED nurses. As with any other core curriculums the format is in outline. I've been an ED nurse for almost 25 years and use the core as a guide and to jog my overloaded memory bank.