National Certification Exam Candidates

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  • 1.  Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 06-14-2024 05:22 AM

    Welcome to Week #5:  Be like Tigger, and keep bouncing forward!

     


    Our online study group is "bouncing" ahead to Chapter 5  in the Selekman/Cogan School Nursing Certification Review book.  This chapter focuses on Health Promotion/Disease Prevention and comprises approximately 20% of the possible NCSN exam questions.  

    Chapter 5 - Health Promotion/Disease Prevention

    1. Health Promotion/Disease Prevention
    2. Immunizations
    3. Infection Control
    4. Risk Reduction
    5. Health Education
    6. Counseling
    7. Emergency and Disaster Preparedness
    8. Community Health Needs
    9. Staff Wellness

    Selekman, Shannon and Yonkaitis School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text 3rd Edition Chapters 5, 7, 14 – 15, 20, 31, 34, 38 - 39

    Sharing your process is helpful for everyone, so please think about checking in and letting us know how your preparation is going.

    I continue my quest to find multiple-choice study questions that are specific to school nursing.  Here is a link to an online sample test through the generous State of Illinois!  This is helpful because it is an online version and is similar to the NBCSN test experience.  Some of the questions are specific to Illinois regulations, but others are more global questions for practice.

    *Don’t forget the NBCSN Practice Tests available singly or in a bundle of two. Each computerized test has 75 multiple-choice questions with a rationale for the answers. You can access them through your application page or go to www.nbcsn.org and click on the orange Login button on the top right.*


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    Have you taken advantage of the Free Test Taking Strategies on NurseBuilders?

    Here are more multiple-choice testing strategies from Nurse Labs test-taking strategies

    1. Identify Specific Determiners

    When the options of a test item contain words that are identical or similar to words in the stem, the alert test taker recognizes the similarities as clues about the likely answer to the question. The stem word that clues you to a similar word in the option or that limits potential options is known as a specific determiner. For example:

    The government agency responsible for administering the Nursing Practice Act in each state is the:

    1. Board of Regents
    2. Board of Nursing
    3. State nurses' association
    4. State hospital association

    Options 2 and 3 contain the closely related words nurse and nursing. The word nursing, used both in the stem and in option 2, is a clue to the correct answer.

    1. Identify Words in the Options That Are Closely Associated With Words in the Stem

    Be alert to words in the options that may be closely associated with but not identical to a word or words in the stem. For example:

    When a person develops symptoms of physical illness for which psychogenic factors act as causative agents, the resulting illness is classified as:

    1. Dissociative
      2. Compensatory
      3. Psychophysiologic
      4. Reaction formation

    Option 3 should strike you as a likely answer since it combines physical and psychological factors, like those referred to in the stem.

    1. Watch for Grammatical Inconsistencies

    If one or more of the options are not grammatically consistent with the stem, the alert test taker usually can eliminate these distractors. The correct option must be consistent with the form of the question. If the question demands a response in the singular, plural options usually can be safely eliminated. When the stem is in the form of an incomplete sentence, each option should complete the sentence in a grammatically correct way. For example:

    Communicating with a male client who is deaf will be facilitated by:

    1.  Use gestures
    2. Speaking loudly
    3. Find out if he has a hearing aid
    4. Facing the client while speaking

    Options 1 and 3 do not complete the sentence in a grammatically correct way and can, therefore, be eliminated. Option 2 would be of no assistance with a deaf client, so option 4 is the correct answer.
    ____________________________________________________________________________________________
    Best of luck to those who are planning on taking the exam during the upcoming testing window. Here are some  test preparation suggestions:



    Stay in touch! I am looking forward to hearing from you!



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    Robin Cogan, MEd, RN, NCSN, FNASN, FAAN
    New Jersey NASN Director
    School Nurse Camden City School District
    Faculty Rutgers-Camden School of Nursing
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  • 2.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 06-14-2024 08:36 AM

    When taking the online practice tests do you recommend taking them after the 7 weeks of studying or before? 

    Thank you and happy studying everyone. 



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    Krista Leichner RN, BSN
    WILSON ELEM
    Fishersville, VA United States
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  • 3.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 06-15-2024 09:58 AM
    Krista,

    I think we all have different study strategies, but for me, I would use the practice tests early on to identify possible gaps in my knowledge to help focus my studying. You can also take the practice tests as many times as you like, so it may help to take them early and then take again closer to the exam. 

    Best of luck with your studying! 

     

    Sandi

     

    Sandi Delack, M Ed, BSN, RN, NCSN-E, FNASN

    Executive Director

    National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN)

    sdelack@nbcsn.org

    www.nbcsn.org









  • 4.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 06-16-2024 07:31 PM

    Hi there group.

    OK. I need a bit of motivation or maybe just your listening ear. I would love to feel like Tigger though I find myself now feeling like Piglet. I'm finishing a very long school year, and asking myself; Pooh, why should I take this exam or even why should I take it now? I feel passion for our profession, and sometimes, I also feel fatigue from our work.

    Any words of wisdom is welcome.

    Thanks

    Bill



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    Bill Marrapese MSN Licensed School, A.S.N.
    Providence, RI United States
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  • 5.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 06-17-2024 09:34 AM
    Hi Bill, 
    What a great question to pose and I look forward to responses. For me, I felt a need to prove to myself that I met the bar from a national perspective. I was already certified in RI (your home too, apparently!), but as a nurse-teacher through DOE. The value for me was purely intrinsic, since there was no additional compensation. 
    What I found, however, was that though studying and taking the exam, I solidified my nursing knowledge and felt more confident. I was truly proud to add NCSN to my credentials. I think having the credential also increased my clout when speaking with school boards and legislators. 
    Anxious to hear what others have to say!
    Sandi


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    Sandi Delack MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN-E, FNASN
    Executive Director, NBCSN
    Warwick, RI United States
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  • 6.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 07-03-2024 01:59 PM
    Hello,

    I am hoping to register for the 2022 Nationally Certified School Nurse Review Certified E-Course offered by Nurse Builders as part of my study plan.  Does anyone know of a valid coupon code that can be used to lower the $189 cost?

    Thank you in advance

    Michelle L. Koopman DNP, RN, LSN, PHN, CNE
    Licensed School Nurse 





  • 7.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 07-05-2024 07:39 PM
    I found one and it works although I still haven't bit the bullet to buy the e-course. Code is NURSEBUILDERS2024 for 10% off.

    Pinky Lausa, BSN, RN, PEL-CSN
    School Nurse, Friendship Junior High School
    550 Elizabeth Ln, Des Plaines, IL 60018
    Phone:   847-952-5446
    Fax:   847-593-7182
    School Main Line: 847-593-4350


    "If you only do what you can do, you will never be more than who you are." - Master Shifu





  • 8.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of our online study group

    Posted 07-28-2024 12:44 PM

    How can I see the prior weeks?



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    Julie Stutts RN
    Rocky Mount, NC United States
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