National Certification Exam Candidates

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Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

  • 1.  Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-07-2025 11:57
      |   view attached

    Hello and Welcome to Week #5 of our Online Study Group!  We are "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.*


    ____________________________________________________________________________________________
    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

    7.
    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.

    8.        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:



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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 #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-07-2025 14:27

    Hi,

    I'm not sure how anyone else is feeling but, I am feeling a bit overwhelmed with the reading. There is just so much information that I am finding it difficult to know what to really focus on. I am taking the Nurse Builders course and as I'm listening to the lectures and take the test questions, I feel a bit more confident. If the presentations in Nurse Builder are a true reflection of the test material, then I think it will be ok. The text book is just a lot!



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    Kelly Ceniceros BSN
    South Forsyth High School
    Cumming, GA United States
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  • 3.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-07-2025 15:24

    I have the same thoughts and feelings! I just purchased the Nurse Builders Review and I'm eager to dive in. 



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    Stacey Ejiri, BSN, RN
    Christ Church Episcopal School
    Greenville, SC United States
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  • 4.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-07-2025 15:27

    I completely understand those feelings, Kelly.  I would look at the textbook readings as more of a reference to utilize if you have a topic from the review book or the NurseBuilder's Course that you would like more clarification on.  I would not get too in the weeds with reading the textbook if you feel confident with the review book and the course.  Have you taken any practice tests yet? Those tests, as well as the review questions at the end of each chapter, are also a good way to judge where you are at.  



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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
    ------------------------------



  • 5.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-09-2025 11:39

    You are absolutely right, it is a lot of material. As a specialty, school nursing encompasses a wide range of topics. We work as both a generalist and a specialist. I agree with Sarah that you shouldn't get too wound up in the textbook, but it is an excellent resource for those areas where you feel you need to brush up a bit. If you flip to a page that is referred to in the assignment and you are pretty confident in your knowledge in that area, you can move on. Remember that this is a national exam and covers health issues and situations from Pre-K through age 21. If you work in Pre-K or elementary, you may want to spend a little extra time reviewing information related to adolescents or vice versa, since you may be less familiar with topics that relate to that age group. 

    I love the focus on carefully reading the question and looking for clues. It sounds simple, but ask yourself "what is this question asking?" One trick is to read and re-read the question and have an idea of what the correct answer is before you read the answers. 

    Keep up the great work. You've got this!!



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    Sandi Delack MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN-E, FNASN
    Executive Director, NBCSN
    sdelack@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 6.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-11-2025 11:18

    I did take the IL practice test you linked. Thank you! The test taking tips are really helpful. It never occurred to me to weed out wrong answers by choosing a "grammatically correct" answer.  Very enlightening. 



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    Kelly Ceniceros BSN
    South Forsyth High School
    Cumming, GA United States
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  • 7.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-11-2025 14:24

    I have not bought the nurse builders course yet. Do you recommend that? The book is overwhelming for me. I have done he free stuff from nurse builders and practice test. 



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    Jennifer Farrell
    Cumberland, MD United States
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  • 8.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-11-2025 15:35

    I highly recommend the Nurse Builders course.  I listen to it on my drive to work






  • 9.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-12-2025 08:24

    The nurse builders course is amazing and very helpful!



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    Tonya Burgess R.N., BSN
    Goshen Community Schools
    Goshen, IN United States
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  • 10.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-13-2025 08:23
    Do you all recommend purchasing the $189 for the Nurse builder E course?

    Gena M. O'Hara, MSN, BSN, ACMA, CMSRN
    Director of Health Services
    781-337-7500 ext 25185
    781-626-1900



    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message and any attachment to it is intended only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. If you are the intended recipient but do not wish to receive communication through this medium, please advise the sender immediately. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Weymouth Public Schools. www.weymouthschools.org/





  • 11.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-13-2025 08:27
    I passed the exam in November, and I listened to the E-course on repeat. I feel the e course, the review book (and tests at the end of each unit), the 2 practice exams for purchase and the flashcards all purchased on Nurse Builders were all beneficial. 


    Melissa Wymer BSN, RN, NCSN

    Nurse Coordinator, MCSC

    Mooresville High School

    Health Services

    317-831-9203 ext 6015






  • 12.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-13-2025 08:33
    Ty so much!

    Gena M. O'Hara, MSN, BSN, ACMA, CMSRN
    Director of Health Services
    781-337-7500 ext 25185
    781-626-1900



    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message and any attachment to it is intended only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering it to the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and destroy all copies of the original message. If you are the intended recipient but do not wish to receive communication through this medium, please advise the sender immediately. Please note that any views or opinions presented in this email are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the Weymouth Public Schools. www.weymouthschools.org/





  • 13.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-13-2025 09:47

    I purchased it and find it very informative and helpful.



    ------------------------------
    Tonya Burgess R.N., BSN
    Goshen Community Schools
    Goshen, IN United States
    ------------------------------



  • 14.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-13-2025 09:52
    Ty I just purchased.

    Gena M. O’Hara, MSN, BSN,ACMA,CMSRN
    Coordinator of Health Services
    gena.ohara@weymouthps.org
    781-337-7500 ext 25185 or 781-626-1900
    --
    CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This e-mail message and
    any attachment to it is
    intended only for the individual or entity to which it
    is addressed and may
    contain confidential and/or privileged information. Any
    unauthorized
    review, use, disclosure or distribution is prohibited. If you are
    not the
    intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible for delivering
    it
    to the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and
    destroy all copies of the original message. If you are the intended
    recipient
    but do not wish to receive communication through this medium,
    please advise the
    sender immediately. Please note that any views or
    opinions presented in this
    email are solely those of the author and do not
    necessarily represent those of
    the Weymouth Public Schools.
    www.weymouthschools.org/ <http: www.weymouthschools.org>




  • 15.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-13-2025 10:06
    Highly recommend the course!







  • 16.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-10-2025 15:21

    Thank you for sharing the exam link.  That was helpful.   

    Also, thanks for the advice about the textbook.  I was trying to keep up with the reading but find that the review book, study cards, the practice exams, and the review course seem the most helpful to me.   It is a lot of material, so I am thankful that there are many ways to study for the exam. 



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    Tonya Burgess R.N., BSN
    Goshen Community Schools
    Goshen, IN United States
    ------------------------------



  • 17.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-12-2025 11:18

    This may be a silly question and I apologize if it's been addressed before but are there ever pictures on the exam? For example, name this rash?



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    Hilary Mengel
    Castle Rock, CO United States
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  • 18.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-12-2025 13:01

    There are no pictures on the exam. There are 200 multiple choice written questions, each with 4 options to choose from. 



    ------------------------------
    Sandi Delack MEd, BSN, RN, NCSN-E, FNASN
    Executive Director, NBCSN
    sdelack@gmail.com
    ------------------------------



  • 19.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-12-2025 13:25

    Thank you Sandi! Great news. My background prior to school nursing was Labor and Delivery and those certification exams were multiple choice as well but often had pictures (primarily of fetal monitoring strips) so I wanted to confirm! Thank you!



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    Hilary Mengel
    Castle Rock, CO United States
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  • 20.  RE: Welcome to Week #5 of the Spring 2025 Study Group!

    Posted 02-14-2025 08:44

    I am so glad others asked about the text book readings.  I have been drowning in trying to keep up with readings.  I am listening to the nurse builders review course and that is very helpful.  I will continue to reference the School Nurse Comprehensive Text and brush up on areas I am not 100% on...but it is a relief to let go of holding those readings so tight.  

    Curious on everyone's opinion...I found some flashcards/practice tests for free on quizlet by searching "National Board Certification School Nurse exam" the questions seem relevant and correct, but I am not familiar with that website and didn't know how trustworthy they were to use for study.  Comments?? 



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    Melissa Ford
    Public Health Nurse assigned to Silverbrook Elementary & Halley Elementary
    SILVERBROOK ELEM
    Clifton, VA United States
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