Three Portland Public Schools nurses recently earned the National Certification in School Nursing (NCSN) credential, which is a validation of specialized knowledge and expertise as a school nurse.

Nell Bridger, Presumpscot Elementary School nurse; Shirah O’Connell, East End Community School nurse; and Elizabeth Spaulding, a nurse at Rowe Elementary School, are among 30 Maine school nurses who recently completed their NCSN certification, a nationally recognized standard for providing excellence in school nursing care.

As part of the Maine Department of Education’s efforts to provide opportunities to the current workforce of school nurses to build upon their expertise and to promote evidence-based practice in all Maine schools, the Maine DOE hosted a National Certification in School Nursing (NCSN) Review Course created by Nurse Builders this past fall.

According to a MaineDOE news release, 50 Maine school nurses participated in the online course, and as of this past Jan. 1, 33 individuals had taken the certification exam, with 30 passing. Those 30 are now able to use the NCSN credentials.

The National Association of School Nurses endorses national certification of school nurses through the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN). School nursing is a subspecialty of public health nursing. The Nationally Certified School Nurse credential reflects competence and professionalism. To earn the NCSN, a registered nurse must demonstrate a high level of education, clinical practice experience and knowledge.

Congratulations to these PPS nurses for completing their NCSN certification! PPS is grateful to all our caring and dedicated school nurses for everything they do to keep students safe, healthy and learning.

Learn more in this MaineDOE release.