National Certification for School Nurses

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i have been and rn for 22 years with my last 7 years as a school nurse. july of 04 i took the certification exam for school nurses and failed by 6 points. i am retaking it next weekend. i saw 2 posts concerning taking the certification. i am wondering if anybody else has taken the exam and has anyone taken it more than once. i am curious to know how alike the test are from one test date to the next. i feel i am better prepared this time, since i have already taken it. all of the advice i have heard about taking it, is the same, so i hope that means it remains about the same from one to the next. i do realize it will be different. i studied the overview of school health services 1997 edition which was supposed to be based on the test when it was first written. now that book is totally different and no longer adviced to be used as a guideline. anybody with advice? :uhoh21:

Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

I passed the NCSN test on my first try. I used The Manual of School Health to study from. Then I wrote notes in the book and passed it on to colleagues who also passed on their first try. However, I do know at least 2 other colleagues who have not passed the test yet. It is not an easy test and its hard to determine what the answer is when you have to think Nationally vs locally when answering questions. Good Luck!!

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Thanks for the tip....I will review the Manual of School Health also. I prepared for the last exam by reading School Nursing a Comprehensive Text by Janice Selekman and also reviewed the NBSCN secrets from an online search. My colleague purchased the flashcards from MoMedia and said they were not worth the money. We are preparing to form a study group and take a prep course as well. The added pressure of an 11 month timeline and a possible loss of our job is adding to our anxiety level...Massachusetts has changed the requirements for a school nurse since we started in 1994.A BSN was the only requirement back then..now we have to take and pass the Teacher's Test and within 5 years either obtain a Master's degree or pass the National Certification exam.All these requirements and we do not make a teacher's salary :uhoh3: Thanks for your post!

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Specializes in School Nursing, Home Health.

I just took the test for the first time in Feb. 09. I have not received my scores yet but I used the large text book on school nursing and the new review book that just came out. I think one thing that is important is that the nurses in our school system who have already passed helped us new nurses set up study schedules and really worked with us to help us. I think often nurses don't seem to want to help each other. I think this is something we should work on we are all working towards the same goal health for our students!!!

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Good Luck....I hope you pass first try. I retake the exam tomorrow.Hopefully it will be my last time:nurse:

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There is an examination handbook on the certification website: http://www.nbcsn.com/examdefault.htm#preparation

NASN published a prep book: Selekman, J. & Wolfe, L. (2007). School Nursing Certification Review

http://www.nasn.org/store/detail.aspx?ID=67

The 2006 School Nurse Textbook is recommended for preparation too: http://www.nasn.org/store/detail.aspx?ID=57

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I took (and passed) the test last August. I used the Comprehensive Text and a few other NASN publications - the new review book was published too close to my test date to make it worthwhile ordering. Since I had an August test, I spent the summer studying an hour or so every day.

My biggest tip is to answer with what you know should happen, not what actually happens in these budget strapped days.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I took the certification exam for the first time on Feb 24, 2009 and got the letter today telling me I had passed!! :yeah:

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Congratulations!!!!!!!!

Any study advice - what worked for you?

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Specializes in School Nurse, Maternal Newborn.

Congratulations!!! :yeah: If you have any advice, please post- I will be sitting for the exam this summer.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I think the biggest thing that helped my was my 25 years of Pediatric Nursing experience before becoming a School Nurse. I had worked at 2 major Children's teaching hospitals (Columbus Children's Hospital and East Tennessee Children's Hospital). I had also worked for many years in a 7 provider Pediatrician's office and often accompanied the physician while he examined the children and discussed his findings with the parents. I did read the Selekman book cover to cover as well as the Selekman review book and used every practice test I could get my hands on! I talked to other nurses who had passed the exam. I read every position statement NASN published as one of the nurses who gave me advice had said," If NASN thought it was important enough to write a position statement you can be sure there will be a question on the exam about it" ! I started preparing in June and had planned to take the exam in May but really felt confident enough to go ahead and try in Feb. I am glad I did!! I will be happy to answer any specific questions so feel free to ask. I will check back frequently. Good Luck!! :nurse:

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Specializes in school nursing.

Congratulations and thanks for the advice!

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

I got my certificate and really cool pin yesterday! I plan to have the certificate framed and put it in the Health Room. Oh, and when you pass they ask you to submit a minimum of 3 test questions for the review of the test pool and ask for your impressions of the test in general so for those of you who are sitting the exam in May, keep that in mind. :)

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