Hello, everyone!
My name is Becky Tucker, and I'm one of the Alabama liaisons in the Huntsville area. A few fun facts about my certification journey: I was the first nurse in my school system to earn the National Certified School Nurse (NCSN) credential, and the day I took my exam happened to be the day everything shut down for COVID-19! I actually called the testing center that morning to make sure they were still open. If they'd told me the exam was canceled after months of preparing, I probably would have cried! Then I had to wait several weeks to learn whether I'd passed and almost a year to receive my official certificate.
By the time I decided to pursue certification, I'd already been a school nurse for many years. Like many of you, I had to push past the little voice that said, "I'm too old for this." Looking back, I'm so glad I did. If you're feeling that way too, let me encourage you: your experience is one of your greatest strengths.
Here are a few things that helped me prepare:
1. Start with the right mindset.
I like to surround myself with people who have different experiences than I do, so I reached out to friends who were nationally certified in other nursing specialties and to my best friend, who is a nursing professor. I didn't ask them what to study—I asked them how to study. It had been a long time since I'd been in school, and I knew adults learn differently than they did in college. What I did have, though, was years of experience and a goal I was determined to accomplish. I purchased the resources available to me at the time: practice exams, School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text, and the School Nurse Certification Review Book.
2. Create a realistic timeline.
Once I registered for the exam, I committed to a plan. I knew I wasn't going to retain large amounts of information by cramming, so I gave myself three months to prepare. Based on my professor friend's advice, I studied for about an hour each evening. Having a schedule helped me stay consistent without feeling overwhelmed.
3. Study with purpose.
I started with a practice exam to identify my strengths and the areas where I needed to focus. Then I spent the next six weeks reviewing those topics in my study books and completing the chapter quizzes. At the halfway point, I took another practice exam to see where the gaps remained. During the final six weeks, I repeated the process: study, quiz, answer Challenge the School Nurse questions, and review test-taking strategies. Practice exams weren't just a way to measure progress—they helped me learn how the questions were written and how to think through them.
4. Trust your preparation.
The days leading up to my exam were filled with uncertainty because of COVID, so oddly enough, I wasn't as focused on my testing anxiety as I might have been otherwise. By exam day, I knew I'd prepared the best I could with the knowledge and resources I had. I ate a good breakfast, brought water for breaks, and took my time reading every question. Some answers came immediately. Others required me to slow down, prioritize assessment, think about scope of practice, and resist adding details that weren't included in the question. One tip I always share is to spend a little time reviewing NCLEX-style test-taking strategies. While the NCSN exam is different, those critical thinking strategies can be incredibly helpful.
If I were preparing today, I'd also take advantage of the online review courses and webinars that are now available. And don't do it completely alone. Find someone who will encourage you—a coworker, another candidate, a mentor, or your state liaison. Having someone to celebrate the wins and talk through the stressful moments makes a huge difference.
Certification is challenging, but it's absolutely achievable. Prepare consistently, trust your experience, and believe in yourself. You've already developed the knowledge and skills through your years of caring for students.
Best of luck to everyone preparing for the exam! We're cheering you on.
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Becky Tucker, BSN, RN, NCSN
Madison Elementary School Nurse
Madison, AL
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