by Jinsun Baek DNP, MSN, PEL-CSN, NCSN

 

Celebrating a Year of Progress and the People Who Make It Possible

As we reflect on the past year, I am incredibly proud of all that the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN) has accomplished. Together, we continue to advance our mission of promoting excellence in school nursing through national certification, professional development, and support for the dedicated school nurses who make a difference in the lives of students every day.

This year has been filled with opportunities to strengthen our programs, expand engagement, and build connections within our community of Nationally Certified School Nurses (NCSNs).

Some of our accomplishments include continuing to enhance the certification experience for candidates and certificants, expanding scholarship opportunities to support school nurses pursuing the NCSN credential, and strengthening our State Liaison network to improve communication and engagement across the country. Our scholarship program helps reduce barriers to certification for school nurses who are themselves from historically marginalized communities or who serve students and communities that have historically been marginalized. Through these efforts, we continue working toward greater access to national certification and supporting a school nursing workforce equipped to meet the diverse needs of students and their families. We have also continued to support professional growth through certification resources, exam preparation opportunities, and collaborative initiatives that encourage school nurses to pursue and maintain national certification.

Our committees and volunteers have played an essential role in moving these initiatives forward. From supporting outreach and candidate engagement to contributing their expertise to certification programs and strategic initiatives, their dedication helps ensure that NBCSN continues to grow and evolve in response to the needs of school nurses.

While these accomplishments are worth celebrating, the true measure of our success is the community behind them. Every volunteer who shares their knowledge, every NCSN who encourages a colleague to pursue certification, and every school nurse who advocates for the value of the NCSN credential helps strengthen our profession and the impact we have on student health.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all our dedicated NBCSN volunteers. You are truly the reason for our success! Your time, expertise, passion, and commitment make our work possible, and we are deeply grateful for everything you contribute.

If you are inspired to get involved, we would love to welcome you to one of our committees as a volunteer. There are many ways to share your talents, connect with fellow school nurses, and help shape the future of NBCSN. Learn more at nbcsn.org/get-involved.

This November, we celebrate YOU, the heart of school nursing and the foundation of NBCSN’s mission. Thank you for the work you do, the knowledge you share, and the difference you make in the lives of students and school communities across the country.

Together, we are strengthening school nursing, advancing national certification, and building a stronger future for our profession.

With gratitude,

Jinsun Baek

NBCSN Board President

National Board for Certification of School Nurses