Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN)

10/09/2026

🚨 takes the spotlight in the October issue of the American Journal of Nursing. 📖 You live it every shift. This month’s Specialty Spotlight column puts it into words.

Written by Heidi Cote, BSN, RN, , , a nurse manager with MaineHealth Maine Medical Center and BCEN’s 2021 Distinguished CEN, the column takes readers inside this dynamic, challenging and rewarding specialty—from what we do and the challenges we face to how to thrive—all through the perspective of a tenured emergency nurse.

Know someone who wants to learn more about emergency nursing or is considering a career in the specialty? Share it with them 👉 https://ow.ly/UZRL50ZWsNK

Providing emergent care to patients of all ages, across all demographics

10/08/2026

This , BCEN celebrates every nurse who cares for the youngest patients in hospitals, clinics, schools, homes and communities. Your skill, patience and compassion make a lasting difference for children and the families who trust you.

A special thank-you to the emergency nurses who care for pediatric patients during some of the most stressful moments of a family's life, including our Certified Pediatric Emergency Nurses (CPENs). Your expertise and steady presence bring comfort when it matters most. Thank you for all you do!

Swipe to hear from 2026 Distinguished CPEN Solomiya Veturys, MSN, RN, CPEN, on the impact of pediatric nurses, what she loves most about pediatric emergency nursing, and a bit of advice for nurses considering the specialty.

10/07/2026

🎉 Spotlight: Inova Health System, winner of BCEN's 2026 National Certification Champion Award in the Health System category!

🏆 A 175% increase in certified RNs over 3 years—powered by strategic investment, foundation-funded support, and a culture that puts certification at the heart of exceptional care.

This is certification excellence at scale. Congratulations to Inova Health System on this well-earned recognition! 👏

Get their playbook: https://ow.ly/OgIl50ZVsOF

10/07/2026

🎉 Spotlight: Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center, winner of BCEN's 2026 National Certification Champion Award in the Large Healthcare Facility category!

🏆 By covering exam costs and building mentorship into the culture, Orlando Health ORMC made certification accessible to every ED nurse and nearly doubled its certification rate in a single year.

Big commitment, bigger results—congratulations to Orlando Health ORMC on this well-earned recognition! 👏

See how they did it: https://bcen.org/awards/2026-natl-certification-champions/large-facility/

10/06/2026

🎉 Spotlight: MBSH - Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital – Emergency Department, winner of BCEN's 2026 National Certification Champion Award in the Small Healthcare Facility category!

🏆 From certification support to a nurse-led initiative that drove ED sepsis mortality to zero for nine months—small facility, huge results.

Proof that size doesn't limit impact, Missouri Baptist Sullivan shows what's possible when a facility invests in its emergency nursing team. Congratulations to the whole team! 👏

Learn how and what you can borrow: https://ow.ly/YVuc50ZUXzy

10/06/2026

🏆 Congratulations to the 2026 recipients of BCEN's National Certification Champion Award!

This annual award recognizes healthcare facilities and health systems that excel in supporting RNs pursuing national specialty certification in emergency, pediatric emergency, trauma, burn, flight, and critical care transport nursing. Their outcomes prove the value of investing in their nurses—and over the next few days, we’ll show you why.

This year's winners:

🥇 Small Healthcare Facility: MBSH - Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital Missouri Baptist Sullivan Hospital – Emergency Department in Sullivan, MO
🥇 Large Healthcare Facility: Orlando Health Orlando Regional Medical Center in Orlando, FL
🥇 Health System: Inova Health System in Fairfax, VA

Congratulations to all three organizations, and to the RNs who earn and maintain specialty certifications. Together, you’re raising the bar for safe, high-quality care across the emergency spectrum. 👏

10/05/2026

Pop quiz! 🚨 A patient with a confirmed massive pulmonary embolism becomes hemodynamically unstable and exhibits signs of shock. What is the PRIORITY for this patient?

a. Place the patient on bilevel positive pressure ventilation
b. Administer an isotonic crystalloid bolus
c. Prepare for catheter-directed thrombolysis
d. Initiate anticoagulant therapy

Comment your guess to get notified when we post the answer and rationale on Friday, and follow for weekly board certification exam-style questions every !

Get the correct answers delivered to your inbox with BCEN Learn Updates. Sign up for the bi-weekly CE bulletin: bcen.org/learn-updates

10/03/2026

No Big Deal, One Mile at a Time 🎙️ Janna Ellsworth - BCEN & Friends Podcast S7E20

In this episode Janna Ellsworth shares how a mindset of steady progress, resilience, and balance has shaped her life journey.

Beginning as an associate degree nurse raising a young family, Janna's career has spanned oncology, med-surg, end-of-life care, trauma and emergency nursing, and advanced practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner. Along the way, she rediscovered a love of learning that would shape both her professional and personal life. She now serves as a sepsis and stroke coordinator for two hospitals, helping translate evidence-based practice into better patient outcomes.

Janna reflects on the value of certification, the mentors who influenced her, and the experiences and lessons that shaped her career. Drawing inspiration from running, resting, and her belief that fear can either make us flee or rise, she reminds us that meaningful growth often happens one step at a time.

🎧 Stream now: https://ow.ly/UhLe50ZU7su

10/02/2026

BCEN CEO Janie Schumaker's latest LinkedIn article explores three pillars of long-term nursing success: education, specialty certification, and lifelong learning.

"Like the three legs of a stool, each plays a unique role, but together they provide the stability, resilience, and adaptability needed to thrive in todays healthcare environment."

Read more in 'The Nursing Excellence Triad: Investing in Yourself for a Stronger Future.' 👇
https://ow.ly/G04L50ZU5zf

10/02/2026

We're featuring Leslie Mollencop, BSN, RN, in today's Critical Care Concepts for Emergency Nurses summit spotlight, Critical and Optimal Documenting Tips and Tricks. 📄

This session unpacks the weaknesses and vulnerabilities nurses face when their care is not adequately reflected in the patient’s chart, especially when reviewed in a litigation setting. Learn valuable skills and crucial reminders to strengthen bedside care, assessments, and intentionality. This session will emphasize the power of being both objective and empathetic.

Don't miss BCEN's 3.5 CE virtual summit LIVE on October 21, featuring four expert-led sessions and interactive Q&As. 🎟️ View the full agenda and register: https://ow.ly/ZGfv50ZM2ok