School Nursing Certification

Professional Certification provides an ongoing, quality credentialing process for eligible school nurses. Certification assures a national standard of preparation, knowledge, and practice. The National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) endorses the concept of voluntary certification by examination for all school nurses. Professional certification in school nursing provides an ongoing, quality credentialing process for eligible school nurses. Certification represents a national standard of preparation, knowledge, and practice. To assist with this recognition, the NBCSN provides the opportunity for school nurses to set the standards for their specialty area through voluntary professional certification.

It's Here! The National Certification Exam Prep Book!

This resource was available at the NASN Annual Conference this June and is now available through the NASN catalog. Click on the link for the official description and price.

It's official! Nationally Board Certified School Nurses are now recognized through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Although over 150 different nursing specialties are affiliated with the ANCC, only 40 had gone through their rigorous process for national certification. As of June 6, 2008, the NBCSN exam is number 41!

Role of the State Liaison

The NBCSN State Liaison Program purpose is to promote NBCSN Certification on the state level.

  • Serves as a resource on certification at the state level
  • Promotes certification at the state level
  • Participates in state activities with NBCSN information
  • Serves as a Liaison between state and NBCSN Board of Directors

Florida NBCSN Liaisons

Tanya Greer
email: tgreer@hcdpbc.org

Jo Ann Jarvis
email: joann_jarvis@doh.state.fl.us

Dianne W. Mennitt
email: dmennitt@tempest.coedu.usf.edu

Carolyn L. Seifert
email: cseifert@prodigy.net


Recognition Award

NCSNs who have promoted certification and professional school nursing as well as enhanced competency in school nursing can be nominated for the NCSN Recognition Award. Contact the NBCSN Administrative Office for an application.

2007 Award Winners - At a reception held by NBCSN in Nashville, Tennessee, Gail Hartshorne, RN, BSN, NCSN and Rhonda Lesniak, MS, MA, ARNP-BC, NCSN won the NBCSN Recognition Award in 2007.

Gail Hartshorne receiving award for her work with National Certification
gail hartshorne photo

2005 Award Winners - At a NBCSN reception held in Washington, D.C., Carol Calarco presented Recognition Awards to two outstanding NCSNs for their work in promoting certification within their state. Award winners were: Charlotte Barry of Florida (far left) and Phyllis Williams of North Carolina (far right).
2005 Recognition Award Winners

2004 Award Winners - Barbara Battin, RN, of Florida was presented this award in 2004.

2002 Award Winners - Rhonda Lesniak, RN, BSN, MA, NCSN of Florida was presented this award in 2002.

2000 Award Winners - Laureen Fleck, DNSc, ARNP, CDE, NCSN, of Florida was presented this award in 2000.


Demographics

There are currently more than 2,400 NCSNs.

The following states have the largest concentration of total NCSNs:

18% - North Carolina
13% - Massachusetts
10% - Florida
5% - Texas
5% - Delaware
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