National Certification Exam Candidates

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Test taking Stratagies

  • 1.  Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-11-2023 13:36
    I took the test on November 9th and passed. I utilized the review course and review book to focus my studies. I found listening to the review course during long drives also reinforced the concepts, and was very thankful for access to the pre-recorded course! 
         The test was hard, and while I felt that some of the questions on the test were not specifically covered, their concepts definitely were. I think trusting your baseline knowledge and instinct are imperative. There were many times I would read a question and think "I have no idea!" However utilizing general test taking strategies was very helpful.  Initially eliminating the answers that were obviously incorrect, and then using my baseline knowledge to analyze the remaining questions was very helpful. I would often finish the question feeling confident that I had the correct answer.   
           For myself, to avoid overthinking questions, I spend however long is needed on each individual question to come up with my best answer or educated guess. I find marking a question and coming back to it does not leave me feeling any more confident in my answer.  I thoroughly read each question, and gave careful consideration to each answer, and still had just over an hour remaining on my testing time.
          So my guidance for anyone who has not yet taken the test would be to take your time, thoroughly read each answer, narrow down the best responses, and trust your best judgement. You've got this! 


  • 2.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-13-2023 09:39

    Can anyone tell me what the score at the end of the test really means?  What is a passing score? I took the test Nov 14th and passed. I too thought it was tough, but tried to make my best educated choice on the ones I had problems with by using the testing strategies suggested. Good luck to everyone! YOU can do this!



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    AMY LATZ BSN, RN, NCSN
    Kansas City, MO United States
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  • 3.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-14-2023 11:32

    I was wondering the same. 



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    T Casper
    Kennett, MO United States
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  • 4.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-14-2023 11:42
    It is very hard to explain the scoring. It is a scaled score that is set by the psychometricians during what is called Standard Setting. Each of the three different forms are equated to each other during this process.

    Sent from my iPhone
    Pat Krin




  • 5.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-14-2023 11:47
    Thank you, Pat. What is the passing score?

    Also, I originally said I had taken the test on the 14th which is today. I meant to say Nov 7th. Sorry for the confusion!


    Amy Latz BSN, RN, NCSC 

    School Nurse-North Kansas City School District 

    SAGE  /PEG/Northland Innovation Center 

    6889 North Oak Trafficway 

    Gladstone, MO 64118 

    PH 816-321-5353 

    FX 816-321-5351 

    Amy.Latz@nkcschools.org 


    Confidentiality Notice for North Kansas City Schools: This correspondence and any attachments are for the sole use of the intended recipient(s) and may contain confidential or privileged information. Any unauthorized use, disclosure, or distribution is prohibited and may be unlawful. If you are not the intended recipient or a person responsible for delivering this message to the intended recipient(s), please contact the sender and destroy all copies of the original message. 




     







  • 6.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-13-2023 10:11

    Thank you for your note. It's probably the most helpful information for me as I suffer from test anxiety. This is the mindset that I am going to have when I sit for the exam in the spring. Congratulations to you.



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    Rikki Baylor, RN, BSN
    Hazelwood School District
    St. Louis, MO. United States
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  • 7.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-14-2023 07:44





  • 8.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-14-2023 08:25

    Hi friends!

    So I sit for the exam this Thursday, November 16th. I am taking the exam in the comfort of my own home, online. I have and continue to use the review book and am trying my best to get most of the material into my head and to retain it, however I have found it EXTREMELY difficult to actually read the chapters and sit and study. I have 2 more days to study, and luckily I have been able to use some time at work at the school to get into the material. I will let you all know how I do Thursday but overall I think I want to just say I am proud of myself for attempting to better my school nursing skills by signing up for this exam and purchasing all of the review books and practice exams along with the cost of the exam itself on my own with the mentality that I want to be the best school nurse I can. So if I don't pass, minus the financial cost, I am going to look at it as more help to broaden my knowledge base as a school nurse and if I have to sit twice, so be it! (Now ask me how I feel if I don't pass Thursday, haha.) 

    Have a great day all, and to those of you who are in this with me....don't forget that we are great nurses for pushing ourselves with things like sitting for this exam. I truly believe it shows the greatness and potential we have in us!

    -Mattie



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    Mattie Rood RN, BSN
    Marysville, MI United States
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  • 9.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 11-14-2023 11:32

    I take the test tomorrow and am very nervous about it. Your explanation of how it went for you was super helpful to me. Thank you for posting!



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    Erin Rimkus
    Kirkwood, MO United States
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  • 10.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 01-17-2024 13:55

    How did you listen to the review course?



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    Julie Lardizzone
    Sturbridge, MA United States
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  • 11.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 01-17-2024 14:28

    On the subject of Test Taking Strategies:

    NurseBuilders has a $10 50-minute program on Test Taking Strategies that I particularly recommend for anyone who is taking the exam, but particularly those of you who experience test anxiety. As a bonus it provides 1 ANCC credit.

    https://ecourses.nursebuilders.net/courses/Nursing-Certification-Exam-Preparation-Studying-Anxiety-Management-Test-Taking-Techniques

     

    Also, have you done January's Challenge the School Nurse,  This might be a good exercise for the group to discuss.  Please answer the question and if you feel comfortable let us know which answer you chose and why.

     

    https://www.nbcsn.org/challenge-the-school-nurse-january-2024/

     

     

    Warm Regards,

     

    Pat

    Pat Krin, MSN, MSCP, RN, FNP-BC-Retired, NCSN-E, FNASN

    School Health Consultant

    School Health Consulting Services

    Thomaston, CT 06787

    patkrin@outlook.com

     






  • 12.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 01-18-2024 09:17

    I took the challenge this week and did not agree with the answer. To review here's the question:

    A sixteen-year-old field hockey player presents with concerns about not having a regular menstrual cycle. She denies sexual activity and is also on contraception for a skin condition. She suffered a metatarsal fracture last year. What condition might she be suffering from?
     
    AOsteopenia/osteoporosis
    B. Overuse injuries
    C. Amenorrhea
    D. Female Triad 
    The answer was 

    Correct answer = D Female Triad

    Rationale: Disordered eating along with diminished bone density and irregular menses are symptoms of the female triad.

    Reference: https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases–conditions/female-athlete-triad-problems-caused-by-extreme-exercise-and-dieting/

    The question did not reference any eating issues. She plays a very athletic running game so a fracture is not unheard of, and amenorrhea is not uncommon in female athletes. So jumping to female triad seems a bit of an assumption. Consideration of female triad would be a good reason to ask more questions, but not a conclusion on the limited information.



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    Patty Buckholz, MSN RN
    School Nurse
    Hickman Mills C-1 School District
    Kansas City, MO
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  • 13.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 01-18-2024 11:10

    I also chose answer C. To be fair I was not 100% sure what the female triad was and my reasoning was similar to yours. A very athletic student, in a rough sport seemed like the most appropriate answer, without assuming more of the story. 



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    Abby Halseth, BSN, RN, PHN, LSN
    Licensed School Nurse
    Grades 6-12+
    North Branch, MN United States
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  • 14.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 01-18-2024 09:31

    I chose Answer D, but not before bouncing back and forth between C and D - The Female Triad includes menstrual problems, weak bones, and energy availability (which was not mentioned). She met 2 of the 3, so I also considered amenorrhea (because amenorrhea could be missing one or more periods), but due to the fracture, I chose D.

    My weakness is over analyzing!!



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    Codi Dunlap M.S.N.
    Flagstaff Unified District
    Flagstaff, AZ United States
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  • 15.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 01-18-2024 15:59

    I chose C as well but was back and forth between C and D.  In hindsight, I think that choosing Female Triad would have made more sense because the question was looking for a condition and amenorrhea is more a symptom. I however, thought like most of you did that a fracture wasn't unheard of for a field hockey player and there were only 2 issues presented. 



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    Ardith Harmon
    School Nurse
    BLACK HAWK ELEM.
    Kahoka, MO United States
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  • 16.  RE: Test taking Stratagies

    Posted 01-19-2024 13:22

    Yes, how did you listen to the review course?? I find that my strengths lie in listening and seeing videos/pictures more so than just reading the content. Thank you!



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    Maria Tritt
    Edenton, NC United States
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