BCEN certification covering critical care transport nursing in the fixed-wing and rotor-wing flight environment.
Who it's for
Registered nurses with clinical experience in flight/critical care transport nursing — BCEN's credential for nurses who manage critically ill patients in the uniquely constrained environment of fixed-wing or rotor-wing transport, where altitude physiology adds a layer most nursing exams don't touch.
What's covered
- Flight and altitude physiology — the domain unique to this credential among nursing certifications
- Trauma and critical care transport
- Neonatal and pediatric transport
- Professional practice and safety
What to expect
Expect scenario-based questions spanning trauma, critical care, and neonatal/pediatric transport, plus altitude-physiology content (gas expansion, hypoxia risk) that doesn't appear on standard bedside nursing exams.
How to prepare
BCEN offers official practice resources through its site; because CFRN candidates typically already hold another critical-care or emergency credential (e.g., CCRN or CEN), most study time goes toward the transport- and altitude-specific content that's genuinely new material rather than re-learning core critical care.
Certification details
- Certifying body: Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN).
- Eligibility: Unencumbered RN license; critical care/flight transport experience is recommended but not strictly required.
- Exam format: 175 questions (150 scored, 25 unscored pretest), 3-hour time limit, computer-based at PSI centers or via live remote proctoring.
- Content outline: Airway/respiratory, cardiovascular, trauma, medical emergencies, high-risk OB/neonatal, pediatric, flight physiology and safety, and professional issues.
- Recertification: Every 4 years; 100 continuing education hours required, or retake the exam.
