National Certification Exam Candidates

NCSN Online Study Group – Week 2: Health Appraisal

Spring 2026 Exam Information

Thinking of testing this Spring? Be sure to review the key dates:

• Spring Testing Window: March 1 – April 5, 2026
• Application Window: November 24, 2025 – February 1, 2026

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!

• Summer Testing Window: July 9 - August 16, 2026
• Registration Window: April 6 - June 9, 2026
• Fall Testing Window: October 22 - November 22, 2026
• Registration Window: August 17 - September 22, 2026

Exam applications will not be visible/available until the application 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

** These changes are effective for exams starting July 2025. **

Reading Assignments – Week 2

School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Cogan, 2020

• Chapter 3: Health Appraisal
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 3

NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & King, 2025

• Chapter 3: Health Appraisal
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 3

School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Selekman, Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Third Edition

• Chapter 14-18

NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Fourth Edition

• Chapters 14-18

This Week's Assignment - Reflection Prompt

What are some common challenges you face when conducting health appraisals, screenings, and physical assessments in a school setting, and how do you address these?

Test Taking Tips:

As promised, here are nursing test-taking strategies for multiple-choice questions (retrieved from 11 Test Taking Tips & Strategies For Nurses * Nurseslabs)

1.        Pay Attention to Specific Details

a.        The well-written multiple-choice question is precisely stated, providing you with only the information needed to make the question or problem clear and specific. A careful reading of details in the stem can provide important clues to the correct option. For example:

b.        Example: A male client is told that he will no longer be able to ingest alcohol if he wants to live. To effect a change in his behavior while he is in the hospital, the nurse should attempt to:

                                                                                             i.         Help the client set short-term dietary goals

                                                                                          ii.         Discuss his hopes and dreams for the future

                                                                                       iii.         Discuss the pathophysiology of the liver with him

                                                                                       iv.         Withhold approval until he agrees to stop drinking

                                                                                          v.         The specific cause to effect a change in his behavior while he is in the hospital is critical. Option 2 is not really related to his alcoholism. Option 3 may be part of educating the alcoholic, but you would not expect a behavioral change observable in the hospital to emerge from this discussion. Option 4 rejects the client as well as his behavior instead of only his behavior. Option 1, the correct answer, could result in an observable behavioral change while the client is hospitalized; for example, he could define ways to achieve short-term goals relating to diet and alcohol while in the hospital.

2.        Eliminate Clearly Wrong or Incorrect Answers

a.        Eliminate clearly incorrect, inappropriate, and unlikely answers to the question asked in the stem. By systematically eliminating distractors that are unlikely in the context of a given question, you increase the probability of selecting the correct answer. Eliminating. obvious distractors also allow you more time to focus on the options that appear to be potentially sound answers to the question. For example:

b.        Example: The four levels of cognitive ability are:

                                                                                             i.         Assessing, analyzing, applying, evaluating

                                                                                          ii.         Knowledge, analysis, assessing, comprehension

                                                                                       iii.         Knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis

                                                                                       iv.         Medical-surgical nursing, obstetric nursing, psychiatric nursing

                                                                                          v.         Option 1 contains both cognitive levels and nursing behaviors, thus eliminating it from consideration. Option 4 is clearly inappropriate since the choices are all clinical areas. Both options 2 and 3 contain levels of cognitive ability; however, option 2 includes assessing, which is a nursing behavior. Therefore option 3 is correct. By reducing the plausible options, you reduce the material to consider and increase the probability of selecting the correct option.

Don't forget to check out the free Test Taking Strategies from Nurse Builders at https://ecourses.nursebuilders.net/courses/test-taking-techniques-a-guide-for-nursing-certification-exams

Need Test Prep Materials? https://www.nbcsn.org/ncsn/the-exam/exam-prep/

Enjoy the process, nurses are life-long learners, it is in our DNA.  I am looking forward to hearing all about your experience.  Please share your comments this week in this thread.

Let's Collaborate

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.

Hello Sarah,

I was looking over the reading assignments and noticed that the book I have is not listed. It is the School Nursing Certification Review (Selekman & Knox), Fourth edition. It was the one provided electronically by NBCSN when you registered for the exam. Is this not the appropriate text?

Please let me know when you have a chance. I look forward to you response.

Sincerely,

Caitlin

NCSN Online Study Group – Week 2: Health Appraisal

Spring 2026 Exam Information

Thinking of testing this Spring? Be sure to review the key dates:

• Spring Testing Window: March 1 – April 5, 2026
• Application Window: November 24, 2025 – February 1, 2026

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!

• Summer Testing Window: July 9 - August 16, 2026
• Registration Window: April 6 - June 9, 2026
• Fall Testing Window: October 22 - November 22, 2026
• Registration Window: August 17 - September 22, 2026

Exam applications will not be visible/available until the application 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

** These changes are effective for exams starting July 2025. **

Reading Assignments – Week 2

School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Cogan, 2020

• Chapter 3: Health Appraisal
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 3

NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & King, 2025

• Chapter 3: Health Appraisal
• Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 3

School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Selekman, Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Third Edition

• Chapter 14-18

NEW BOOK, COMING SUMMER 2025: School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text (Shannon, & Yonkaitis), Fourth Edition

• Chapters 14-18

This Week's Assignment - Reflection Prompt

What are some common challenges you face when conducting health appraisals, screenings, and physical assessments in a school setting, and how do you address these?

Test Taking Tips:

As promised, here are nursing test-taking strategies for multiple-choice questions (retrieved from 11 Test Taking Tips & Strategies For Nurses * Nurseslabs)

1.        Pay Attention to Specific Details

a.        The well-written multiple-choice question is precisely stated, providing you with only the information needed to make the question or problem clear and specific. A careful reading of details in the stem can provide important clues to the correct option. For example:

b.        Example: A male client is told that he will no longer be able to ingest alcohol if he wants to live. To effect a change in his behavior while he is in the hospital, the nurse should attempt to:

                                                                                             i.         Help the client set short-term dietary goals

                                                                                          ii.         Discuss his hopes and dreams for the future

                                                                                       iii.         Discuss the pathophysiology of the liver with him

                                                                                       iv.         Withhold approval until he agrees to stop drinking

                                                                                          v.         The specific cause to effect a change in his behavior while he is in the hospital is critical. Option 2 is not really related to his alcoholism. Option 3 may be part of educating the alcoholic, but you would not expect a behavioral change observable in the hospital to emerge from this discussion. Option 4 rejects the client as well as his behavior instead of only his behavior. Option 1, the correct answer, could result in an observable behavioral change while the client is hospitalized; for example, he could define ways to achieve short-term goals relating to diet and alcohol while in the hospital.

2.        Eliminate Clearly Wrong or Incorrect Answers

a.        Eliminate clearly incorrect, inappropriate, and unlikely answers to the question asked in the stem. By systematically eliminating distractors that are unlikely in the context of a given question, you increase the probability of selecting the correct answer. Eliminating. obvious distractors also allow you more time to focus on the options that appear to be potentially sound answers to the question. For example:

b.        Example: The four levels of cognitive ability are:

                                                                                             i.         Assessing, analyzing, applying, evaluating

                                                                                          ii.         Knowledge, analysis, assessing, comprehension

                                                                                       iii.         Knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis

                                                                                       iv.         Medical-surgical nursing, obstetric nursing, psychiatric nursing

                                                                                          v.         Option 1 contains both cognitive levels and nursing behaviors, thus eliminating it from consideration. Option 4 is clearly inappropriate since the choices are all clinical areas. Both options 2 and 3 contain levels of cognitive ability; however, option 2 includes assessing, which is a nursing behavior. Therefore option 3 is correct. By reducing the plausible options, you reduce the material to consider and increase the probability of selecting the correct option.

Don't forget to check out the free Test Taking Strategies from Nurse Builders at https://ecourses.nursebuilders.net/courses/test-taking-techniques-a-guide-for-nursing-certification-exams

Need Test Prep Materials? https://www.nbcsn.org/ncsn/the-exam/exam-prep/

Enjoy the process, nurses are life-long learners, it is in our DNA.  I am looking forward to hearing all about your experience.  Please share your comments this week in this thread.

Let's Collaborate

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.