NCSN

shark_nurse14, BSN, RN · Dec 15, 2019

I took it during this past summers testing period. I felt underprepared, but passed! There's no fool-proof way of studying for it, so that can be scary...there's truly only one book and some people find it to be unhelpful.

I think a lot of the questions can be answered with a few years experience in a school and guidance from the nursing certification exam review book and NASN resources. I also used the NASN exam review group for questions. Most of the questions I had on the exam were based on policy, nurse practice act, delegation in the school setting, management of emergencies, normal exam findings depending on age/developmental level, and conducting mandated screenings.

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2019

I took it five years ago. I honestly thought it was more difficult than the boards. Anecdotally, about half the nurses in my town failed it the first time.

I found the "Clinical Guidelines for School Nurses" from School Health Alert to be a good basic study resource.

SandIsMyGlitterRN, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2019

I took it last year and passed on my first try. To me it was difficult but my experience carried me through. I studied the School Nursing Certification Review and I also took a review course that was offered. Not sure really if either helped but maybe put me in the right frame of mind for the exam. Worth all the stress though!!

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2019

This is the summer for me - I'm attempting it no matter what!

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2019

I second the comments above about the difficulty of the questions and that my specific school nurse experience saw me through. Don't procrastinate about the studying - I planned to take it over the summer but kept pushing it back until my back was against the wall... Good luck!

Jedrnurse, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2019

3 hours ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:
This is the summer for me - I'm attempting it no matter what!

The good thing is you can always take it again (if need be)!

MuscleNurse, BSN, RN · Dec 16, 2019

Thank You All!!

I think I was secretly looking for comments on how easy it was. I do feel I'll benefit from the whole process regardless of the outcome.

Thank You All again-

guest464345 · Jan 4, 2020

I took it (way back in November -why the heck does it take 8 weeks for them to grade a computer-based multiple choice test??).... Just found out I passed!

I also thought it was harder than NCLEX, even a bit more difficult than the CEN (emergency nursing) exam I passed a few years ago. I studied on policy and Practice Act issues and kids-under-13 health issues, knowing that those were my weak areas. I had a better knowledge base on emergency procedures, normal development, and screenings.

Glad it's done!

Guests · Jan 7, 2020

One of the nurses in my district just took it in November and said it was "easy"- she said this before her results came back. Thankfully she passed, LOL. I did the practice questions and got them all right, but also though a few were weird and had nothing to do with the realities of school nursing. They need questions on dealing with hypochondriac teachers, frequent fliers, annoying admin, crazy parents, etc.

NurseMom1972, RN · Jan 7, 2020

10 minutes ago, MHDNURSE said:
One of the nurses in my district just took it in November and said it was "easy"- she said this before her results came back. Thankfully she passed, LOL. I did the practice questions and got them all right, but also though a few were weird and had nothing to do with the realities of school nursing. They need questions on dealing with hypochondriac teachers, frequent fliers, annoying admin, crazy parents, etc.

Which practice questions did you do???

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Jan 7, 2020

On 12/16/2019 at 9:36 AM, JenTheSchoolRN said:
This is the summer for me - I'm attempting it no matter what!

Made it my goals in my learning plan....now I am committed!!!