Welcome, Candidates!
My name is Sarah Portle, and I am thrilled to welcome you to our online NCSN study group. I have led this community for the last 2 years, but starting next week, I will hand over the reins to Alana Parker, an absolutely amazing NCSN from Arizona. She will introduce herself more in depth next Friday, and I know you will all be in such good hands!
Summer 2026 Exam Information
Thinking of testing this Summer? Be sure to review the key dates:
Visit www.nbcsn.org to begin your application and download the Candidate Handbook.
Not ready to test yet? NBCSN has testing windows three times per year!
Exam applications will not be visible/available until the registration window opens.
Updated Exam Content Outline – Summer 2025 and Beyond
As a result of the 2023 Job Task Analysis (JTA), the NBCSN streamlined and reorganized the Exam Content Outline (ECO) beginning with the Summer 2025 exam. The exam still covers the same essential content, just better organized into four updated domains:
New Exam Content Domains & Number of Questions
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Health Appraisal & Nursing Practice
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Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
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School Health Practice Considerations
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Professional Responsibility
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Content Overview – Week 1
This week introduces the purpose of national certification and the foundations of school nursing practice. You will explore how certification supports professional growth, credibility, leadership, and quality care, while also reviewing core concepts in child development, family systems, and how children’s health and learning are shaped by their home, school, and community environments.
School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Knox, 2025
School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text - Shannon & Yonkaitis, Fourth Edition, 2025
Why are you pursuing school nurse certification, and how do you hope it will strengthen your practice with students, families, and the school community?
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The NASN School Nurse Practice FrameworkTM includes layers of support for Care Coordination, Community Public Health, Quality Improvement and Leadership. Which of the following answers best describes the framework's usage.
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The care of the school age child involves the school nurse's awareness of the child’s growth and development. Considering you are an elementary school nurse, which of Erik Erikson’s Theory of Psychosocial Development stages would be most beneficial in understanding the elementary school child development.
Please share your responses to the reflection prompt and challenge questions on this week's discussion thread! Answers and rationale will be shared on Monday.
Have a question about the content? Post it in the discussion! Refer to questions by chapter, number, and letter (e.g., Chapter 2, Question 4, Answer C).
Please do not copy questions or answers verbatim due to copyright.
Final Thoughts – You've Got This!
As we begin this journey together, remember: you're not alone. Whether this is your first time preparing for a certification exam or a return to formal study, know that this process is a powerful step forward in your professional growth.
This isn't just about passing a test-it's about strengthening your ability to support your students, advocate for health equity, and shine in your role as a leader in school nursing.
You've already taken a big step by showing up. Stay curious, stay committed, and lean on each other throughout this journey. I'm here to support you every step of the way.
You are more than capable. Let's do this-together.
💙 - Sarah Portle, M.Ed., R.N., N.C.S.N. (she/her)
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Sarah T. Portle M.Ed., BSN, RN, NCSN
Lead Nurse Manager - Arizona State University Preparatory Academy
PhD Candidate - Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
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