National Certification for School Nurses

Specialties School

Published

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 Pediatrics.

I have a question for those of you who have obtained your NCSN status. Does your school district recognize your certification and reward it with salary above what those who are not certified earn? If so, approximately what is the monetary difference?

Specializes in School Nurse, Maternal Newborn.
I have a question for those of you who have obtained your NCSN status. Does your school district recognize your certification and reward it with salary above what those who are not certified earn? If so, approximately what is the monetary difference?

I don't get any extra money, but I do get the satisfaction of knowing that I have tangible proof of having acquired a certain body of knowledge that gives me the confidence that I CAN do this job!:o (on some days, that is, LOL!)

Does anyone know about the review course from PLU? It looks really interesting. I would like to know before I go spend that money! Thanks

I live in Illinois and I have a question about school nursing. Do you have to take classes or can you just take a test and if you pass the test your certified If anybody out there has any information. I would really appreciate hearing about this Thanks

Illinois school nurse certification requires a bachelors degreee, specific masters level classes for certification and two exams. There are 4 universities who offer the certification classes:

University of Illinois - Chicago - online

National Louis University - hybrid

Southern Illinois University - f2f

Millikin - independent study

National certification is accepted in lieu of proving you have taken continuing ed to maintain your state certification. It is not accepted in lieu of state certfication. You have to get the state certificate.

Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

Hi Critterqueen!

I took and passed the NCSN on the first try 5 yrs ago and I am about to renew. I used the Manual of School Health as my study guide and colleagues who have also used it have also passed on the first try. Having said that I also have a couple of colleagues who have not passed the NCSN after taking it 2-3 times. Some people are poor test takers but great nurses. My best advice is to remember that you have to think nationally. What your district does may not be the right answer. I wish you luck!

The deadline for the NBCSN National School Nurse Certification Exam in February is December 31st. Put this on your Holiday Wish List!!!

The national exam for school nurses is held two (2) times annually. It is offered at various locations throughout the country at Testing Centers near you!!

Upcoming exam dates: 2/18/2012 - 3/3/2012

For more information: http://www.nbcsn.com/examdefault.htm

to: ruralschns

I am scheduled to take exam in Feb this year and just found your post. I didn't see a reply...so let me.

I took the review course and it was excellent. I was able to network nationally, study the whole review manual and receive 5 questions for each chapter from everyone who took the course.

I would highly recommend if you have not taken the test, to sign up for the review course.

I was able to look on the Certification site and saw many of my fellow students who have taken and passed the exam the 1st time. I hope I am one of them as well. I waited a cycle to take my exam.

to: bergren

i am going to pay for the practice test on the website ($75). would you say that if i am able to get either high 80% or in the 90%, i am probably going to be able to pass the exam?

i have only been a school nurse for 2.5 years and i am a little nervous about the test...plus with test anxiety.

thanks!

Thanks so much iamadreamer! I am going to sign up for it this spring and go for it!!

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