FAQS


​WHO IS PARAGON EDUCATION?
Paragon Education is a nursing continuing education (CE) company located in Petaluma, CA, (above San Francisco), established in 2005. We are accredited in all US states, except for Alaska, Florida, Wyoming, Delaware and Rhode Island.

​DO YOU HAVE AACN CERTIFICATION?
No, we are a California CE provider #14156.

WHAT ARE PARAGON'S CERTIFICATION REVIEW COURSES?
Paragon's Certification Review courses (CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CCRN) are taught over 2 consecutive days and are accredited for 14 continuing education (CE) hours. They formatted as a question and answer format, which exactly mimics the style, language and content of the actual tests. This format is interactive and fast-paced, and always get rave reviews from our participants. (See our website under "testimonials.")

WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER EDUCATIONAL COMPANIES?
As a business, we are well aware of our competitors and their products. We KNOW that our materials and presentations are superior to anything else available.

WHO CAN TAKE THE CERTIFICATION COURSES?
The courses are open to any RN preparing for their certification (CEN, CPEN, TCRN, CCRN) examination, and for any nurse interested in reviewing the concepts and standards of care necessary for critical-care nursing practice. There is no practice (RN job) requirement, and in fact, we often get new grads who are looking to impress a future ED employer by having already taken this class and getting their certification.

CAN YOU GUARANTEE THAT ALL PARTICIPANTS WILL PASS THE EXAM?
Of course not. It is the responsibility of individual participants to take the necessary time to review study & gain mastery of the required topics.

HOW MUCH TIME IS REQUIRED TO STUDY FOR THE EXAM AFTER THE CLASS?
Although our class gives the participants the foundational information they need to succeed on their exam, there is still an enormous amount of material to review and comprehend. We recommend a minimum of 1-2 months to review and prepare for the exam.

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR THE TEST?
Go to www.bcen.org and click on the certification (CEN, CPEN, TCRN) icon you are looking to take. For the CCRN, go to www.aacn.org

DO I HAVE TO BE AN ENA OR AACN MEMBER TO TAKE THE TEST?
No, but there is a reduced rate for the exam and recertification as a member.

WHAT'S YOUR SUCCESS RATE FOR PEOPLE TAKING THE EXAM?
Our current success rate for past participants passing the exam is 92%.

HOW DO YOU RE-CERTIFY YOUR CERTIFICATION?
Certification is good for 4 years. For the CEN: you can re-certify by either taking the exam again, or getting 100 CE units, over that 4-year period. The CE classes "should have a clear and direct application to the practice of emergency care nursing. 75 of the contact hours must be in the CLINICAL category, and up to 25 may be in the OTHER category."

IS YOUR CEN REVIEW CURRENT?
Yes. The CEN exam was revised in July 2015, and our classes reflect that updated content.

WHAT CLASSES DO YOU PROVIDE?
  • CEN Review (2 days = 14 CE's)
  • CPEN Review (2 days = 14 CE's)
  • TCRN Review (2 days = 14 CE's)
  • CCRN Review (2 days = 14 CE's)
  • Essentials of Emergency Pediatrics (1-day = 7 CE’s)
  • Essentials of Emergency Triage (1-day = 7 CE’s)
  • Professional & Legal Nursing Responsibilities (1-day = 7 CE’s)
  • Emergency Nursing Boot Camp: (2 days= 14 CE’s)

CAN YOU CREATE A CUSTOMIZED CLASS?
Of course. We would be happy to speak with you about creating a customized program on any emergency or critical care topic.

WHO TEACHES THE CLASSES?
Review our instructor bios on our Faculty page.

WHAT'S THE LEAD TIME TO PLAN A CLASS?
Generally, we like to have a 3-month lead-time. That allows your staff to plan to plan for their upcoming schedule and plan take the class, and it allows for enough time to advertise the event on-line and to other area hospitals. Read More

WHAT ARE THE COSTS FOR MY FACILITY TO HAVE A CLASS?
There's 2 options. We can do an in-house presentation (all-inclusive program) for only your staff, or we can offer another option with no almost no financial obligation. Read More

I DON'T HAVE A BUDGET FOR EDUCATION (I CAN'T AFFORD ANYTHING)…
We can work with you to bring a presentation to your facility with next to no financial obligation. Your facility can "host" a class, that would be open not only to your own staff, but to outside nurses, too. This is also a great recruitment and promotional event, so that other nurses from outside facilities get to see your site. Read More

WHAT'S THE IN-HOUSE (ALL-INCLUSIVE) OPTION?
The in-house event would include staff from any affiliated organization, as well, and also ensure that the costs would not be borne by just one campus of the organization. Read More