National Certification Exam Candidates

Hello everyone! My name is Lauren Zhang, and I am a middle school nurse. I work with 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders at a school of about 1,200 students. I have worked part-time at this school for the past two years (2 days per week), and I will become the full-time nurse starting this fall (5 days per week). I am scheduled to take the NCSN exam on July 17th. I purchased the review book and the Nurse Builders course by Dr. Janice Selekman and have started working through them. I plan to follow the study plan laid out by this review group!

I am the type of person who loves professional development. I want to be the best school nurse I can be and actively seek opportunities to become more knowledgeable. My manager mentioned the NCSN exam to me during my end-of-year review last year, and I immediately knew it was something I wanted to pursue. I knew that studying for this exam would help me stay up to date on evidence-based practice. At this time last year, I did not yet have enough hours working as a school nurse to apply, but I knew I would qualify by mid-year. Taking the exam in the summer before becoming a full-time school nurse felt like perfect timing!

I look forward to returning to work in July and being able to tell my colleagues that I passed the exam. I believe certification demonstrates a commitment to excellence in our field, dedication to continued professional growth, and a desire to provide the best possible care for our students, families, and school community.

My answers to the challenge questions:

• The framework provides a graphic illustration of the key principles of school nurse practice. (This was the only answer that directly addressed the question.)
• Industry vs. Inferiority. (Identity vs. Role Confusion is more applicable to older adolescents/high school students; Concrete vs. Formal Operations refers to Piaget rather than Erikson; Initiative vs. Guilt is more applicable to preschool-aged children.)

Why are you pursuing school nurse certification, and how do you hope it will strengthen your practice with students, families, and the school community? 

Hello everyone. My name is Lauren Zhang and I am a middle school nurse. I work with 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. There are about 1200 students at my school. I have worked part-time at this school for the past two years (2 days per week). I will become the full-time nurse starting in the fall (5 days per week). I am scheduled to take the NCSN exam on July 17th. I bought the review book and the nurse-builders course by Dr. Janice Selekman and have started going through them. I plan to follow the plan laid out by this review group! 

I am the type of person who loves professional development. I want to be the best school nurse I can be and seek out opportunities to become more knowledgeable. My manager mentioned the NCSN exam to me in my end-of year review last year. I knew then it was something I wanted to pursue. I knew by studying for this exam, I would be more up to date on evidence based practice. At this time last year, I did not have enough hours of work as a school nurse yet to apply. I knew I would have enough by mid-year. Taking the exam in the summer, before I became a full-time school nurse, sounded like perfect timing! I look forward to going back to work in July and being able to tell my colleagues that I passed this exam. I think it shows a commitment to excellence in my field and commitment to furthering the profession and being the best I can be for our students! 

My answers to the challenge questions:

1. The framework provides graphic illustration of the key principles of school nurse practice. (this is the only answer that answered the question) 

2.  Industry vs. Inferiority.  (Identity vs. Role Confusion -this is more so middle and highschool; Concrete vs. Formal Operations - this is Piaget not Erikson; Initiative vs. Guilt - this is moreso preschool)

small elementary school about 340 students K-5 , started Feb 25 , 2025-2026 was my first full year  

I am pursuing school nurse certification as part of my continued professional development and commitment to the profession. I believe certification supports the overall importance and credibility of the role within the educational setting.

For me, certification is not about recognition or external validation, but about demonstrating and strengthening my knowledge and practice. I have previously pursued specialty certifications, including CNOR and CPPS, because I value maintaining high professional standards and continuing to grow within my field.

I hope this certification will further strengthen my ability to make confident, evidence-based decisions while supporting students, families, and the school community. I believe it will help ensure I continue to provide consistent, informed, and effective care within the school environment and communicate effectively with staff and families. 

Why are you pursuing school nurse certification, and how do you hope it will strengthen your practice with students, families, and the school community? 

Hello everyone. My name is Lauren Zhang and I am a middle school nurse. I work with 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. There are about 1200 students at my school. I have worked part-time at this school for the past two years (2 days per week). I will become the full-time nurse starting in the fall (5 days per week). I am scheduled to take the NCSN exam on July 17th. I bought the review book and the nurse-builders course by Dr. Janice Selekman and have started going through them. I plan to follow the plan laid out by this review group! 

I am the type of person who loves professional development. I want to be the best school nurse I can be and seek out opportunities to become more knowledgeable. My manager mentioned the NCSN exam to me in my end-of year review last year. I knew then it was something I wanted to pursue. I knew by studying for this exam, I would be more up to date on evidence based practice. At this time last year, I did not have enough hours of work as a school nurse yet to apply. I knew I would have enough by mid-year. Taking the exam in the summer, before I became a full-time school nurse, sounded like perfect timing! I look forward to going back to work in July and being able to tell my colleagues that I passed this exam. I think it shows a commitment to excellence in my field and commitment to furthering the profession and being the best I can be for our students! 

My answers to the challenge questions:

1. The framework provides graphic illustration of the key principles of school nurse practice. (this is the only answer that answered the question) 

2.  Industry vs. Inferiority.  (Identity vs. Role Confusion -this is more so middle and highschool; Concrete vs. Formal Operations - this is Piaget not Erikson; Initiative vs. Guilt - this is moreso preschool)

Hello,

So glad to be here. I was wondering if you would be able to include the appropriate content chapter for the old version of the texts. 

Thank you so much!!

Below are the answers for this week's Challenge Questions - how did you do?

Question: 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?  

A. Direct health services in schools fall within quality improvement.

B. Care Coordination includes support for health screenings. 

C. The framework provides graphic illustration of the key principles of school nurse practice.   

D. Connecting students and families to available resources is included in leadership.  

Correct Answer: C.  The framework provides graphic illustration of the key principles of school nurse practice.   

Rationale:  The NASN  School Nurse Practice FrameworkTM  outlines the core principles and components of school nursing practice.  Direct care falls under care coordination, and health screenings are considered community and public health.   Care coordination includes linking students and families to services, not leadership.    

Domain: 4,  Professional Responsibility

Reference:  Selekman, J. & Knox, E. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing Certification Review. (4th edition). National Board for Certification of School Nurses.p.13.

 R. Shannon, & C. Yonkaitis, C. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (4th edition). F.A. Davis Company.p 774.

Question: 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.

A. Identity vs. Role Confusion.

B. Concrete vs. Formal Operations.

C. Initiative vs. Guilt.

D. Industry vs. Inferiority.  

  Correct Answer: D.  Industry vs. Inferiority.

Rationale: Industry vs. Inferiority best defines the school age and middle childhood for ages 6-12. During this stage, the students gain confidence as they successfully learn new skills. A supportive environment and positive recognition of accomplishments helps establish a sense of purpose and productivity.   Identity vs. Role Confusion is the best stage for the Adolescent ages 13-18.  Concrete and Formal Operation are cognitive development stages for the school age child based on Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development and Initiative vs. Guilt exemplifies the toddlerhood of ages 1-3 years.  

Domain: 1, Health Appraisal And Nursing Process.  

Reference: Selekman, J. & Knox, E. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing Certification Review. (4th edition). National Board for Certification of School Nurses. P.19-20.

 R. Shannon, & C. Yonkaitis, C. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (4th edition). F.A. Davis Company. P 185-188.  

Good morning! Does anyone have a good cheat sheet or study material for Erikson & Piaget's stages? These have always been an area of information that does not want to stick in my brain. Thanks!

Below are the answers for this week's Challenge Questions - how did you do?

Question: 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?  

A. Direct health services in schools fall within quality improvement.

B. Care Coordination includes support for health screenings. 

C. The framework provides graphic illustration of the key principles of school nurse practice.   

D. Connecting students and families to available resources is included in leadership.  

Correct Answer: C.  The framework provides graphic illustration of the key principles of school nurse practice.   

Rationale:  The NASN  School Nurse Practice FrameworkTM  outlines the core principles and components of school nursing practice.  Direct care falls under care coordination, and health screenings are considered community and public health.   Care coordination includes linking students and families to services, not leadership.    

Domain: 4,  Professional Responsibility

Reference:  Selekman, J. & Knox, E. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing Certification Review. (4th edition). National Board for Certification of School Nurses.p.13.

 R. Shannon, & C. Yonkaitis, C. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (4th edition). F.A. Davis Company.p 774.

Question: 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.

A. Identity vs. Role Confusion.

B. Concrete vs. Formal Operations.

C. Initiative vs. Guilt.

D. Industry vs. Inferiority.  

  Correct Answer: D.  Industry vs. Inferiority.

Rationale: Industry vs. Inferiority best defines the school age and middle childhood for ages 6-12. During this stage, the students gain confidence as they successfully learn new skills. A supportive environment and positive recognition of accomplishments helps establish a sense of purpose and productivity.   Identity vs. Role Confusion is the best stage for the Adolescent ages 13-18.  Concrete and Formal Operation are cognitive development stages for the school age child based on Jean Piaget's Theory of Cognitive Development and Initiative vs. Guilt exemplifies the toddlerhood of ages 1-3 years.  

Domain: 1, Health Appraisal And Nursing Process.  

Reference: Selekman, J. & Knox, E. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing Certification Review. (4th edition). National Board for Certification of School Nurses. P.19-20.

 R. Shannon, & C. Yonkaitis, C. (Eds.). (2025). School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (4th edition). F.A. Davis Company. P 185-188.  

Good morning! Does anyone have a good cheat sheet or study material for Erikson & Piaget's stages? These have always been an area of information that does not want to stick in my brain. Thanks!