About Certification and Credentialing:
Unlike state requirements that mandate a
certificate for the completion of a specialized course of study for
entry into an employment track, the NCSN is a trademarked credential, granted
to registered nurses who meet educational, employment, and other
criteria, and who have successfully passed the national examination
managed by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses.
The NCSN process is accredited by the American
Board of Nursing Specialties, whose rigorous standards ensure that
the credentialing process of the NBCSN meet or exceed industry standards
for certification and that its examination is reflective of the
knowledge expected of the proficient school nurse.
In addition, professional school nurses
credentialed by the NBCSN are required to document a minimum of 75
continuing education units in school health related issues every five
years, or retake the examination, and to continue to meet employment
criteria, in order to maintain the use of the NCSN credential.
While research is limited in the area of
the value of nursing certification, initial studies by the ABNS using
value statements, indicate that certification validates a specialized
knowledge, indicates a level of clinical competence and the attainment
of a practice standard.[1] "The weighed NCSN examination
gives surety that the successful candidate demonstrates excellence and experience
in the areas of health appraisal, health problems and nursing
management, health promotion and disease prevention, special health
issues, and professional issues, including research." [2]
In all phases of the item development and
examination review, the target is to utilize the exam format to validate
the expectations of the certified school nurse including:
- To practice safely, independently and
proactively in the isolated non-health care environment,
- To apply and integrate broad areas of
nursing and scientific knowledge, public health principles, and
legal parameters to school populations,
- To interact and provide leadership
within the broader community to promote family centered care,
- To work with school and community
stakeholders to assess, plan and evaluate community interventions
for the health problems of school populations, including emergency
preparations,
- To advocate effectively in the school
and community setting for the health and education needs of all
students, including those with physical and mental disabilities,
- To participate in research, revise and
initiate policies that reflect best practices,
- To utilize resources to become knowledgeable
about national standards of practice and emerging issues of concern
for the health and welfare of students and staff within the
educational arena.
For employers, certification also
increases consumer confidence and indicates professional growth among
its employees. [3] Physicians and hospitals have identified this
trend and included the certification of its professional employees as
criteria to achieve "Magnet Status" for recognition in the
health care industry. While the education community is quick to
support the continued professional growth its teaching staff, for the
most part, it has been slow to acknowledge the accomplishments of its
other licensed and specialized staff, including school nurses.
For most school nurses, the challenge to
attain the NCSN is a voluntary, personal and professional goal.
Most employers do not offer incentives for certification, but some
organizations do promote and recognize certification through increasing
salary, and reimbursement for exam fees or continuing education.
These district or state rewards are closely tied to teacher compensation
policies. Institutional recognition and permission to display the
certification credential on a business card or nametag rank among the
top three rewards described by the certified school nurse.
For information related to recognition
and rewards for certified school nurses, please contact certification@nbcsn.com.
[1] American Board of Nursing Specialties
Value of Certification Survey, 2006.
[2] Dot Warner, NBCSN Board member in response to ABNS Accreditation request
for information re: differentiation for nationally certified school
nurse. March 2008.
[3] American Board of Nursing Specialties, Value of Certification
Survey, 2006.
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