National Certification for School Nurses

CRITTERQUEEN · Feb 14, 2005

I guess nobody knew the answer to my question. Thanks to all of you that read my question, just guess nobody else has taken the certification. Well, believe me, I have!!! Two times now. And, I would have to say the second time was much harder than the first. Just praying real hard that through divine intervention, I passed it this time. Real glad it is over. If you ever decide to take it, good luck!!!

sls4083 · Feb 17, 2005

HI, Funny to find your post. Certification not required to be a nurse in NY but I just want to take it and have it. On the site they only give you 8 practice questions...I got 2 wrong...was suprised at some of the questions. Can you tell us curious souls about what kind of questions are on the test? And are you paying another $300 to retake it or do they discount it? Does your district pay or did you find funding for it?

Thanks in advance.

bergren · Feb 17, 2005

What questions surprised you? I have submitted some questions and one of the sample questions is mine.

bergren · Dec 20, 2005

The DEADLINE for the next National Board for the Certification of School Nurses certification exam is December 31, 2006. The exam is February 25, 2006 and is administered in cities around the country (http://www.nbcsn.com/examdefault.htm#locations). The exam will also be administered June 29, 2006 in New York City at the annual National Association of School Nurses Conference. The deadline to register for the June exam is May 15, 2006.

NBCSN (http://www.nbcsn.com) develops and implements the voluntary certification process of school nurses. NBCSN is a member of the American Board of Nursing Specialties. Professional certification provides an ongoing, quality credentialing process for eligible school nurses. National certification assures a standard of preparation, knowledge, and practice. More than 2300 school nurses are nationally certified.

sls4083 · Dec 20, 2005

Well, I took the leap and signed up for the Feb. test in Syracuse. I am moving to NC next year and the school nurses there need a certification. I figured I'd better get it. I'm a bit nervous as there's no study manual...esp after the nurses who posted previous have taken the test and not passed. Jeez...I guess all my years of school nursing experience won't guarantee me a passing grade...and don't you want to pass paying $250.00!!!

I'm going to study from a few school nursing books/manuals I've picked up over the years...Clinical Guidelines for School Nurses by School Health Alert, Guidelines for School Nursing Documentation by the NASN, School Nrusing Practice Roles and Standards by the NASN, Guidelines For Protecting Confidential Student Health Information by the ASHA, The New School Health Handbook by Jerry Newton MD, and The boston Children's Hospital The New Child Health Encyclopedia...

Sue

bergren · Dec 20, 2005

Be sure to use the sample questions in the study guide online. In addition to those resources, I also recommend reading recent journal articles online in JOSN, and reviewing community and school health items in Whaley and Wong's study guide (you can probably get a used copy in Amazon.com). I ahve talked to people who endorsed using a study group also. Mary Korngluth also offers study materials: [email protected]

Good luck!!

hollandstat · Jan 5, 2006

I also took the certification test and failed on my 1st try. I have been a nurse for 20 years, but only a school nurse 2.5 years. My problem was I did not study as I should. I felt after being a nurse for 20 years, I did not need much preparation. I was wrong

fritzer · Jan 29, 2006

I guess nobody knew the answer to my question. Thanks to all of you that read my question, just guess nobody else has taken the certification. Well, believe me, I have!!! Two times now. And, I would have to say the second time was much harder than the first. Just praying real hard that through divine intervention, I passed it this time. Real glad it is over. If you ever decide to take it, good luck!!!

I am in the process of studying for the exam and also would like any helpful tips:uhoh3:

fritzer · Jan 29, 2006

Is there a study guide out there? I see Martha Bergren refers to one but where is it?

bergren · Jan 30, 2006

From the NBCSN website: http://www.nbcsn.com/examdefault.htm#content

Content

The national exam for school nurses is a written exam composed of a maximum of 250 multiple-choice, objective questions with a total testing time of four (4) hours.

For a complete Content Outline and Sample Questions, please download the NCSN Handbook for Candidates from this page

http://www.nbcsn.com/2006handbook.pdf

or request one from the Professional Testing Corporation at [email protected].

The exam will be weighted in approximately the following manner:

25% HEALTH APPRAISAL

30% HEALTH PROBLEMS AND NURSING MANAGEMENT

20% HEALTH PROMOTION/DISEASE PREVENTION

10% SPECIAL HEALTH ISSUES

15% PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Preparation

Exam preparation is a unique process for each candidate. School nurses come to the practice from a wide range of backgrounds. Exam questions are chosen from a larger pool of questions enabling variation on exam content.

Although there is no single study guide, a List of Resources, which may be helpful in preparing, is included in the NCSN Handbook for Candidates. In addition, you will find Sample Questions.

The NBCSN State Liaison program was established, in part, to support candidates in preparing for the exam. Contact the NBCSN Administrative Office to obtain contact information for a Liaison. Discuss the exam experience and/or ask the Liaison questions about the exam.

Usually at the National Conference there is a prep session for a whole say and then the test the following day. The information is not up on the web site yet: http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=109

hollandstat · Jan 30, 2006

I took a review course which really did not help. The NASN recommends certain books on their website. I think the best guide is in the booklet the test company sends.