National Certification Exam Candidates

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Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

  • 1.  Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-23-2026 11:00 AM

    Spring 2026 Exam Information

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

    • Spring Testing WindowMarch 1 – April 5, 2026
    • Application WindowNovember 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

    New Domain # of Questions
    Health Appraisal & Nursing Practice 52
    Health Promotion/Disease Prevention 41
    School Health Practice Considerations 32
    Professional Responsibility 50

    Reading Assignments – Week 3

    We are digging deeper into Chapter 2 of the Review book. We introduced it last week, but with so much to absorb, we believe that focusing on this Chapter by itself this week will give you all space to review and get used to the pacing of the online study group. We will not be repeating other chapters; it only happens this week to ease you into setting your study time.

    School Nursing Certification Review Book – Selekman & Cogan, 2020

    • Chapter 4Health Promotion and Nursing Management
      • Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 4

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

    • Chapter 5Health Promotion/Disease Prevention/ Infectious Disease
      • Complete the self-assessment at the end of Chapter 5

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

    • Chapter 19: Students with Acute Illness and Injury
    • Chapter 21: Students with Chronic Conditions
    • Chapter 22: Students with Allergies
    • Chapter 23: Students with Chronic Respiratory Illnesses
    • Chapter 24: Students with ADHD and Specific Learning Disorders
    • Chapter 25: Students with Diabetes
    • Chapter 26: Students with Neurodevelopmental Disorders
    • Chapter 27: Students Who Are Overweight
    • Chapter 28: Students with Seizures and Epilepsy
    • Chapter 29: Students with Other Chronic Conditions

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

    IV. Caring for Students with Episodic Conditions

    16. Students With Health Common Complaints
    17. Students With Acute Illness and Injury
    18. Students with Skin Conditions
    19. Students who are Pregnant and Parenting

    V. Caring for Students with Special Healthcare Needs

    20. Supporting Students With Special Healthcare Needs
    21. Students With Allergies
    22. Students With Asthma and Cystic Fibrosis
    23. Students with Diabetes
    24. Students with Select Chronic Conditions
    25. Students with Medical Complexity

    VI. Caring for Students With Neurologic, Behavioral, and Mental Health Conditions

    26. Students With Neurodevelopmental Disorders
    27. Students With Seizures and Epilepsy
    28. Students With Behavioral/Mental Health Concerns and Conditions
    29. Students Engaging in Risk-taking Behaviors


    This Week's Assignment - Reflection Prompt

    As we all know, vision and hearing screenings can take up a lot of our time!  What are some tips and tricks you use to make the process go a little bit more smoothly at your site?


    Even MORE Test Taking Tips:

    Here are a few more multiple-choice test-taking strategies taken from 11 Test Taking Tips & Strategies For Nurses * Nurseslabs :

    1. Identify Similar Options

    When an item contains two or more options that are similar in meaning, the successful test taker knows that all are correct, in which case it is a poor question, or that none is correct, which is more likely to be the case. The correct option usually will either include all the similar options or exclude them entirely. For example:

    When teaching newly diagnosed diabetic clients about their condition, it is important for the nurse to focus on:

    1. Dietary modifications
    2. Use of sugar substitutes
    3. Their present understanding of diabetes
    4. Use of diabetic nutritional exchange lists

    Options 1, 2, and 4 deal only with the diabetic diet, involving no other aspect of diabetic teaching; it is impossible to select the most correct option because each represents equally plausible, though limited, answers to the question. Option 3 is the best choice because it is most complete and allows the other three options to be excluded. As another example:

    A child's intelligence is influenced by:

    1. A variety of factors
    2. Socioeconomic factors
    3. Heredity and environment
    4. Environment and experience

    The most correct answer is option 1. It includes the material covered by the other options, eliminating the need for an impossible choice, since each of the other options is only partially correct.

    1. Identify Answer (Option) Components

    When an answer contains two or more parts, you can reduce the number of potentially correct answers by identifying one part as incorrect. For example:

    After a cholecystectomy the postoperative diet is usually:

    • High fat, low calorie
    • High fat, low protein
    • Low fat, high calorie
    • Low fat, high protein

     You know, for instance, that the diet after cholecystectomy is usually low or moderate in fat, you can eliminate options 1 and 2 from consideration. If you know that the cholecystectomy client usually is overweight, you can eliminate option 3 from consideration. Therefore option 4 is correct.


    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.



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    Sarah T. Portle M.Ed., BSN RN, NCSN
    Lead Nurse - Arizona State University Preparatory Academy
    PhD Student - Arizona State University, Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation
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  • 2.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-24-2026 02:55 PM

    Is it possible to get clarification on the readings for week #3?

    Your opening statement says to continue reading/reviewing chapter 2. But below you assign chapter 4 (old review book) and chapter 5 (new review book) along with new chapters from the Comprehensive Text book. 

    Are we moving forward or reviewing? Are Chapter 4 and 5 mismatched the the old and new review books?

    Thanks,

    Amie



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    Amie Fowler BSN, RN
    AUSTIN ISD
    Austin, TX United States
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  • 3.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-27-2026 03:01 PM

    Hi everyone,

    I have been a school nurse for 16 years in many different schools K-12.  I am currently at a 6-12 school.  My vision and hearing screenig is light due to not being an elementary school. When I did elementary I just tried to get as much help through the Lions Club.

    I'm not going to lie...I'm slightly overwhelmed with all of the material to study and I'm a bit confused of what this weeks assignment is?  Are we to go over Chapter 2(Children & their families) in depth? And Chapter 4 & Chapter 5?( I am using the 4h Edition 2025)

    Also...is anyone finding any other resources helpful while studying?

    Thank you for your time.



    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Dennison
    Licensed School Nurse
    Albuquerque, NM United States
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  • 4.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-27-2026 05:05 PM

    Hey Jennifer,

    I am using this course: https://extension.missouri.edu/courses/comprehensive-school-nursing

    For me this is taking place of reading the Comprehensive text. I also have the 4th edition review book and read the chapter after completing the corresponding modules of the course. 



    ------------------------------
    Amie Fowler BSN, RN
    AUSTIN ISD
    Austin, TX United States
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  • 5.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-28-2026 09:21 AM

    Amie, this looks awesome. I attempted to enroll but was unable to do so. Do you have to have some affiliation with MU as a student or could it be because I have never had a Canvas account?



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    Brooke Hall
    Saint Joseph, MO United States
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  • 6.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-28-2026 10:24 AM

    Never mind! I figured out how to use an alternative Canvas log in that isn't credentialled through MU and I think I have it. Thanks for sharing this resource!



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    Brooke Hall
    Saint Joseph, MO United States
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  • 7.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-30-2026 09:14 AM

    Hi Brooke,

    Could you please share how you use an alternative Canvas login? I tried but wasn't successful.

    Thank you,

    Val



    ------------------------------
    Valeria Pereira-Brown RN, BSN, BLS Instructor
    BSN, RN
    Jonesville, MI United States
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  • 8.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-30-2026 11:01 AM

    Val,

    Follow this link: https://umsystem-muextension.catalog.instructure.com/browse/continuing-med-ed/courses/show-me-school-health

    Click the blue Enroll button

    That should take you to a Canvas Log in Page https://canvas.umsystem.edu/

    Click the right lighter blue box for Alternate Log in. Set up an account then log in this way every time. 



    ------------------------------
    Amie Fowler BSN, RN
    AUSTIN ISD
    Austin, TX United States
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  • 9.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-30-2026 11:13 AM

    Yes, this! Thanks Amie!!



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    Brooke Hall
    Saint Joseph, MO United States
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  • 10.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-30-2026 11:35 AM

    Brooke, thank you for your help. I was able to create an alternative login :)



    ------------------------------
    Valeria Pereira-Brown RN, BSN, BLS Instructor
    BSN, RN
    Jonesville, MI United States
    ------------------------------



  • 11.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-29-2026 01:31 PM

    Thank you so much for sharing this!!! I have been reading through the text, but holy cow! It's so much to retain on its own. I started the course today and am already on chapter 3! This is going to be so helpful, thank you!!! 



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    Emily Glosup
    School Nurse
    Mabank Independent School District
    Mabank, TX United States
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  • 12.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-27-2026 07:43 PM

    Digging right into the reading and starting to feel overwhelmed. A coworker and I are studying in person together and we were wondering how to go about effectively reviewing and studying using this online study group as a guide post. Open to any suggestions or is anyone else doing the same and have suggestions on in person studying? Thanks so much. 



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    Lisa Strazz
    School Nurse Casteel High School
    School Nurses Organization of Arizona
    Chandler, AZ United States
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  • 13.  RE: Welcome to Week #3 of the Spring 2026 Study Group!

    Posted 01-28-2026 10:45 AM

    There is a lot of material to cover. I am working through the course referenced above and then reading the corresponding chapter in the review book and going through those practice questions. When I do a practice question I state why each answer is wrong and why the correct one is right. Do not just choose the correct answer. 

    I also plan to do the same study with the purchased practice exams 



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    Amie Fowler BSN, RN
    AUSTIN ISD
    Austin, TX United States
    ------------------------------