Medical and Nursing

The NCSBN NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the exam that all aspiring registered nurses (RNs) in the United States and Canada must pass to obtain their nursing license. Developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), this exam ensures that nurses have the necessary knowledge and skills to provide safe and effective patient care.

The NCLEX-RN uses a computer-adaptive testing (CAT) system, meaning the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on the test taker’s performance. The exam covers four major categories: Safe and Effective Care Environment, Health Promotion and Maintenance, Psychosocial Integrity, and Physiological Integrity. Questions test critical thinking and clinical judgment in real-world nursing scenarios, including medication administration, disease management, and patient safety.

Passing the NCLEX-RN is required to become a licensed RN, and each state board of nursing sets additional licensing requirements. The exam can have a minimum of 85 and a maximum of 150 questions, depending on how well the test taker performs. The NCLEX is a crucial step for anyone pursuing a nursing career, as it ensures that new nurses are prepared to provide high-quality care in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings.

The AAMA Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) exam is a nationally recognized certification for medical assistants, offered by the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). It tests the knowledge and skills needed to work in healthcare settings, such as doctor’s offices, clinics, and hospitals. The exam covers medical procedures, patient care, administrative tasks, and medical laws and ethics.

The CMA exam consists of 200 multiple-choice questions covering topics like anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, clinical procedures, infection control, and medical office management. It ensures that candidates understand how to assist physicians, take patient vital signs, handle medical records, and follow safety protocols. A strong focus is placed on professional ethics and patient confidentiality under HIPAA regulations.

Earning the CMA (AAMA) certification proves that a medical assistant has met high professional standards and is prepared for the responsibilities of the job. Many employers prefer or require certification for hiring. To maintain the credential, CMAs must recertify every 60 months through continuing education or by retaking the exam. This certification can help medical assistants advance their careers and improve job opportunities in the growing healthcare field.

The BCEN Certified Emergency Nurse (CEN®) certification is a nationally recognized credential for registered nurses who specialize in emergency nursing. Offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), the CEN demonstrates expertise in providing high-quality, evidence-based emergency care to patients in fast-paced and critical situations.

The CEN exam tests a nurse’s knowledge of trauma, cardiac, respiratory, neurological, gastrointestinal, obstetric, pediatric, and toxicological emergencies, as well as professional issues like ethics and legal considerations. Nurses must be able to assess and treat critically ill or injured patients quickly and efficiently while working in high-pressure environments such as emergency departments (EDs) and trauma centers.

Earning the CEN certification proves that a nurse has advanced skills and knowledge in emergency care, making them a more competitive candidate for jobs and leadership roles. While not always required, many hospitals prefer or encourage nurses to obtain CEN certification. To maintain the credential, nurses must recertify every four years through continuing education or by retaking the exam. This certification is ideal for emergency nurses, trauma nurses, and critical care professionals seeking to enhance their expertise and career opportunities.

The BCEN Certified Flight Registered Nurse (CFRN®) certification is a specialized credential for registered nurses who provide critical care during air medical transport. Offered by the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), this certification demonstrates advanced knowledge in pre-hospital, emergency, and critical care for patients transported via helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

The CFRN exam tests a nurse’s ability to handle complex medical emergencies in the high-stress, unpredictable environment of air transport. It covers cardiac, respiratory, neurological, trauma, toxicological, obstetric, neonatal, and pediatric emergencies, as well as flight physiology, patient assessment, and safety protocols. Candidates must understand how altitude, pressure changes, and limited resources affect patient care.

Earning the CFRN certification proves a nurse is highly skilled in providing life-saving care during air transport. While not always required, many flight nursing programs and air ambulance services prefer or mandate CFRN certification. Nurses must renew their certification every four years through continuing education or by retaking the exam. This credential is ideal for flight nurses, transport nurses, and critical care professionals looking to advance in aeromedical transport.