National Certification Examination for School Nurses (NCSN) is conducted by National Board for certification of School Nurses (NBCSN). This is to recruit the candidates to work in USA as School Nurses. This Certification is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties (ABNS). There are limited numbers of seats available and the competition expected is high for this examination. The standard of the exam is so high because this certification gives the candidates the opportunity to work in United States. Professional Testing Corporation Conducts this exam for NBCSN.

Structure of NCSN Certification Examination

The exam is held two times in a year. It is a 4 hours Computer Based Test. The test is to evaluate the deep knowledge and experience of the candidates in the field of nursing. So the levels of standard of the questions are too high. The objective type examination includes 250 questions covering the topics of health Appraisal, Health problems and Nursing management, Health promotion/disease prevention, Special health issues and Professional issues.

The format of the computer exam should be carefully followed by the candidate. Each question is displayed on the screen one by one and the candidate can mark the answer according to their knowledge. The Candidates have an option to change any answer before submitting the answer page. After completing answer the questions, the candidate have to click on the ‘SUBMIT’ button to submit the form. If the candidates are passed they will get the certification.

Syllabus for NCSN Certification Examination

The Certification examination is a computer exam; questions are prepared with the help of Professional Testing Corporation. The questions cover five important fields

HEALTH APPRAISAL

General Physical and Psychosocial Health

Systems

• Cardiovascular
• Ears
• Endocrine
• Eyes
• Gastrointestinal
• Musculoskeletal
• Neuro-developmental
• Nose, Mouth, and Throat
• Reproductive/Genitourinary
• Respiratory
• Skin and Scalp

HEALTH PROBLEMS AND NURSING MANAGEMENT

Emergency Care

• Abdominal Injuries
• Anaphylaxis
• Burns
• Cardiac Arrest
• Chest Injuries
• Dental/Oral
• Head Injury
• Hemorrhage
• Lacerations/Punctures/Avulsions
• Poisoning and Exposure to Noxious Fumes
• Respiratory Arrest
• Respiratory Distress
• Spinal Cord Injury
• Unconsciousness
• Other

Acute, Episodic, and Chronic Conditions

• Cardiovascular
• Gastrointestinal
• Genitourinary/Reproductive
• Eye, Ear, Nose, and Throat
• Integumentary
• Metabolic and Endocrine
• Multisystem
• Musculoskeletal
• Neurosensory
• Respiratory

Communicable Diseases

• Bacterial
• Infestations
• Fungal
• Sexually Transmitted
• Viral

Disaster Preparedness

HEALTH PROMOTION/DISEASE PREVENTION

Immunizations

Risk Reduction and Infection Control

• Identification of Risk Factors
• Prevention Methods
• Self Care Skills
• Group Programs

Health Education

• Dental Issues
• Nutritional Issues
• Staff Wellness
• Student/Caregiver

Counseling

Community Health Needs

Environmental Concerns

Safety Education

SPECIAL HEALTH ISSUES

Special Health Needs

• Abuse and Neglect
• Assistive Care
• Eating Disorders
• Human Sexuality
• Parenting
• Physical Problems Including Organ Transplants
• Psychosocial Problems
• Substance Use, Abuse, and Addiction
• Suicide
• Technology Assistance
• Bullying and Harassment
• Other

Educational/Health Management

• Individualized Education Plan
• Individualized Healthcare Plan
• School-based Resources

Legal Considerations

• Americans with Disabilities (504)
• Confidentiality
• Due Process
• Laws Relating to Special Education
• Local Policy, State, and Federal Laws
• Nursing Practice Act

PROFESSIONAL ISSUES

Code of Ethics (ANA/NASN)

Nurse Practice Act/Licensure/Certification/Standards of Practice

Administrative

Consultation to Administration on Health Issues

• State and Federal Laws, Regulations, and Guidelines
• School Board Policy
• Scope of School Health Services

Electronic and Hard Copy Health Records

• Accuracy
• Confidentiality
• Storage
• Student and Parent Rights
• Access to Records
• Authorization for Release of Information

Medication Policy

• Administration
• Authorization
• Documentation
• Storage and Safety

Treatment Policy

• Authorization for Treatment
• Protocols and Procedures

Legal Issues

• Child Abuse/Neglect Reporting
• Minor Consent for Health Services
• Individual Rights to Privacy
• Communicable Disease Reporting
• Harassment

There are four option are there for every question. The candidates have to choose the right one.

Eligibility Criteria

The candidates who have a Bachelor’s or higher degree in nursing or health related field or any equivalent degree can apply. The candidate have a license as a registered nurse in USA or have a current certification as an NCSN from NBCSN are eligible for applying for this exam. The candidates must have a three years experience in School Nursing Job and necessary be employed in School Health services at the time of the exam.

The candidates have a choice to appeal to the President of NBCSN for any problems regarding their eligibility criteria.

How to Apply?

The NCSN examination is conducted twice in a year. The candidates can download the application form along with a handbook from the website www.nbcsn.org or from the Professional Testing Corporation. If the candidate is not able to download the form then make contact with Professional Testing Corporation and request to send you the application form and handbook. Payment of the application fee is very important and it is RS. 325/- and it should not be refundable. After completely filling the form it should be forwarded.

How to fill the Form?

To fill the form read carefully the instructions given in the handbook and fill as per the instructions. The name of the candidate as in the Voter’s ID, address, phone number, RN License Number etc. at the relevant columns provided at the top of the form. Only one answer should be marked for each question and each column should be completely filled.  Candidates’ signature must be provided in the relevant space. The copy of certificates, RN license and the cheque or money order of the application fee also should be attached along with the form and mail it to the address:

• NBCSN EXAMINATION, PROFESSIONAL TESTING CORPORATION, 1350 Broadway- 17th Floor, New York, New York 10018

Important Dates (Tentative)

The NBCSN Examination occurs to times in a year. They are known as Winter and Summer Exams.

For Winter Exams

Application Dead Line: December 31st , 2011/2012

Date of Test: February 19th to 5th March 2012/2013

For Summer Exams

Application Dead Line: 2012 May 31st

Date of Test: 2012 July 23rd to August 6th.

List of NCSN Certification Examination centers

The exam should be held in a two week period in summer and winter season of every year. There are different resting centers are there. The candidate can select the testing center after the availability of the Eligibility Notice from PTC. The availability of the date and time is not same for all testing centers. The candidate should chose center which is familiar to them and it is their responsibility to reach the center at time.

The Testing Centers available are

• Canadian Business College
• SIAST- Kelsey Campus
• PSI Testing-Honolulu

Contact Address for the NCSN Certification Examination

Examination Administration

• National Board for Certification of School Nurses, Inc., C/o Professional Testing Corporation, 1350 Broadway, 17th Floor, New York, NY 10018
• Phone: 212-356-0660
• Email: [email protected]

Reference Books for NCSN Certification Examination

• American Academy of Pediatrics (current edition): Report on the Committee on Infectious Diseases
• American Heart Association or American Red Cross: Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation
• American Nurses Association and NASN: School Nursing Scope and Standards of Practice
• ASHA NASN & NASSNC: Guidelines for Protecting Confidential Student Health Information
• Bates, B. Bates’ Guide to Physical Examinations and History Taking: American Public Health Association,
• Champion, C., RN, MSN, NCSN. Occupational Exposure to Blood-Borne Pathogens
• Current Pediatric Diagnosis and Treatment by Hay, W.W., Goothuis, J.R., Hayward, A.R., and Levin and M.J
• Doyle, J., and Loyacono, T.R. Disaster Preparedness Guidelines For School Nurses
• Dworkin, P. NMS (Northland Medical Series) Pediatrics: Williams and Wilkins.
• Goldbloom, R. Pediatric Clinical Skills. Churchill Livingstone
• Green, M. (2002) Beneath the Surface of Eating Disorders. An Overview of Anorexia, Bulimia, and Binge Eating Disorders for the School Nurse
• Gregory, E. (2004). The Ear and Hearing: A Guide for School Nurses.
• Guide to Best Practice. Philadelphia, Lippencott
• Lewis, K., Bear, B. (2002): Manual of School Health
• Melnyk, B et al (2005) Evidence-based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare: A
• Merck Manual. (Current edition)
• NASN: current edition: Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements for the School Nurse.
• Nursing Drug Handbook (Current edition), Springhouse Corporation
• Physical Examination (4th Ed) St. Louis: Mosby Year Book
• Praeger, S., Zickler, C. (2002) Care of Students with Asthma in Schools: Applications of Professional School Nursing Practice Standards
• Praeger, S., Zickler, C., Mosca, N. (2002) Care of Students with Special Needs in Schools: Applications of Professional School Nursing Practice Standards.
• Ryberg, J. (2004) Postural Screening Guidelines for School Nurses
• Schwab, N. et al. (1998). Guidelines for School Nursing Documentation: Standards, Issues, and Models
• Schwab, N., Gelfman, M. (2001) Legal Issues in School Health Services
• Schwab, N., Ruben, M. et al (2005) Protecting and Disclosing Student Health Information: Guidelines for Developing School District Policies and Procedures
• Seidel, H.M., Ball, J.W., Davis, J.E., and Benedict, G.W. Mosby’s Guide to
• Selekman, J (2006) School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text
• Selekman, J. and Wolfe, L. (2008) School Nursing Certification Review.
• Silkworth, C, Arnold, M, et al (2005) Individualized Healthcare Plans for the School Nurse. North Branch, MN. Sunrise River Press
• Taketomo, CK, et al (2008) Pediatric Dosages Handbook. Lexi-comps
• Wong, D. (2000). Essentials of Pediatric Nursing. (6th ed.).St. Louis: Mosby

Coaching Centers for NCSN Certification Examination

• Aakash Institute
• Achievers Point Knowledge Systems Pvt. Ltd
• Akshar Academy
• Brilliant Tutorials Pvt. Ltd
• Career Forum
• DAMS
• Elite Academy
• Wisdom Mart, Delhi

Study Plan

The NCSN exam is a highly competitive exam and there are limited seats available. So for getting the certification candidates have to be preparing well. It is mainly for evaluating the knowledge and experience of the candidates in the nursing and health related fields. So score good marks in the exam, the candidates require a thorough knowledge in this field. The complete content of the exam is available in the website and the resources for preparing the exam is mentioned in the handbook. Online practice Test for nurses is there. It helps to taking the computerized exam and helps to learn the style, format etc. of the exam. With the help of those resources candidates can prepare well for the exam.

How and Where To Get the Results?

The result of the test is sent by The Professional testing corporation to the candidate in a written form whether to inform the candidate is passed or failed the exam. Marks in Total and the marks of important areas are reported. It should not be published in website because it is very confidential. One who passes the test will receive the certificate.

Score Validity

The candidate who passed the examination will get the certificate. It will valid for five years and after that the candidates have to retain the certificate as per the educational requirements.