[gbarrera2]

Hello,
What type of advanced degree did you pursue that complimented/applied to your current title as a School Nurse? MSN, MEd, FNP(if so what specialty), CNL (if so what specialty)?
Did it result in higher pay? Are School Nurses on Teacher's salary? What are your benefits like.

I am asking because I am very interested in becoming a School Nurse in Illinois. I graduated in December, and am applying for graduate school in the fall along with taking a School Nurse Certificate Program online (3 classes and a clinical). My plans were to work as a School Nurse while attending graduate school and post-graduate school.

[sChOOLRN48]

I am a school nurse in IL too!!!
In my district there are 5 schools and 5 RNs!!! Which is really a great #, from what I have heard from other districts. I am considered ancillary staff and they (admin) don't encourage/want us to continue on because that would mean we would be on the pay scale and TRS retirement same as the teachers, also they would have to offer tenure.
But I really like my weekends and holidays! & SUMMER! can't wait!

This is from the IL board of ED, hope it helps...in some bigger and more suburban areas they may really want a certified school nurse...go for it! I say!

http://www.isbe.net/certification/re..._personnel.htm
E. Certification of School Nurses (2004)

1. 1. Candidates for the school service personnel certificate endorsed for school nursing shall hold a bachelor's degree.
   2. Candidates shall be licensed as registered professional nurses in Illinois pursuant to the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act.
   3. Each candidate shall have completed an Illinois program approved for the preparation of school nurses or a comparable approved program in another state or country or hold a comparable certificate issued by another state or country.
   4. Candidates shall have met the requirements of either subsection (d)(1) or subsection (d)(2) of this Section.
      1. Completion of an internship that
         1. was determined by the approved program to be sufficient in length for the candidates to meet the standards set forth at 23 Ill. Adm. Code 23.120, but in no case consisted of fewer than 300 hours of experiences; and
         2. was supervised by a certified school nurse with at least two full school years of full-time experience as a school nurse and at least one full school year of full-time experience with the current employer.
      2. Completion of two years of experience as a school nurse prior to July 1, 1972.
   5. Candidates shall be required to pass the applicable content-area test, as well as the test of basic skills if its passage would be required for receipt of a standard certificate.

good luck!
Theresa

[zenman]

I have a masters in psych nursing and an MBA. I guess both help no matter what field you're in, lol! My wife was hired for a teacher position here in Dhaka and there just happened to be an open nurse position so I took it. The teachers make more than I do as they are classified as "overseas hires" and I'm a "local hire." Can't complain though as no hospital has ever given me as many benefits or a tax free salary.

Where you doing the school nurse certificate?

[gbarrera2]

UIC, in Chicago.

[gbarrera2]

Do some districts allow nurses to be on Teacher's Salary? What about their union?

[zenman]

Originally Posted by gbarrera2

UIC, in Chicago.

Does RUSH have a good reputation in Chicago?

[sChOOLRN48]

I believe if you are a certified school nurse then you have to be on the same schedule as the teachers. As far as union, I think that they can/do join the teachers union, but as a support staff I am part of the teacher's union because that is what the support staff as a whole choose. I also recieve IMRF retirement which is the support staff, teacher's aids, secretary, janitor type of retirement from my school.

I have heard good things about the UIC program...I have a goal of going on the be a FNP, but not the guts right now!
peace, Theresa

[gbarrera2]

Why are nurses lumped into the same category as custodial care? Is this everywhere or just in some districts? Aren't certified School Nurses seen as liscensed personnel just like social workers, school psychologists, speech pathologist, and physical therapists?

[gbarrera2]

Also is it unheard of for a School Nurse to have an MSN-NP?

[zenman]

Originally Posted by gbarrera2

Also is it unheard of for a School Nurse to have an MSN-NP?

Nope; there's a school nurse NP program. I'm sure you can google it...