PA Senate Bill 802

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Just got an email from the PSNA. Apparently, there is a senate bill out there that is seeking to eliminate the requirement that all school nurses, both public and private, must be certified in school nursing. I don't really have an opinion on that matter, but maybe someday I will when I have children. An interesting thing that I've noticed is that many schools that I've looked into for a certification in school nursing no longer offer the program due to low enrollment. Do any of you have an opinion on whether or not schools require their nurses to be certified?

Specializes in Critical Care, Cardiac, Neuro, CSN.

I respect the feelings of our non-certified school nurses regarding their abilities to perform the same job as a CSN. I would agree that if a registered nurse is experienced in the school setting, there is a definite ability to perform alike. After all, in my opinion, experience trumps education any day. However, I think it is sad that some of our non-certified school nurses think that certification does not hold an importance for school nursing and therefore, support the passing of SB 802 legislation, especially since it is the certification that gives us recognition as professional staff (not just support staff) in the school setting; hence, warranting and enabling school nurse pay increase. Personally, I think it is an insult to all nurses for school districts to pay any licensed registered nurse (regardless of their educational degree) a $12./hr salary- which is what some PA school districts offer. This is exactly what SB 802 is all about. PA school district are trying to convince our legislators that by hiring non-certified registered nurses (who they pay unjustly minimal already), that they (the school district) will be offering our school-age children a competent professional nurse (which may be true) and yet, it will allow them to save money by keeping our (school nurse) salaries low. Being honest, I have to admit that if it were not for school nurse certification, I would not (and could not with today's economic crisis going on) continue in the school setting. This is truly a shame as I am sure that there are other really good school nurses who may have left the field of school nursing because of this concern. The long-term effect of SB 802, if it were to be passed, will probably result in RNs being attracted away from school nursing and the school setting altogether as they will realize that in another setting (like the hospital), they can double (in some cases triple) their salaries. If you are a non-certified school nurse, don't be bitter regarding your CSN colleagues, support them... as we are all nurses in a very special setting, the school. Most importantly though, keep in mind that certification (even if obtained on a part-time basis) is your ticket to obtaining and demanding a higher salary in the school setting... because without it, nurses are not recognized a professional staff by school districts and will always be paid below level salaries.

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Specializes in school nursing.

Lets be truthful on actually what is needed in our schools for health care. By some statements made in this blog it is led to believe that a CSN is a specialty. If that is the case the next time I go to the hospital/doctor's office should I start requesting a CSN to handle my care???? I didn't think so.

I think someone who is not certified can be just as good a school nurse as someone who IS certified. However, how can you say that school nursing is not a specialty? Med-surg is a specialty, pediatrics is a specialty, oncology is a specialty......

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I know this is an old post but can anyone explain to tme why a teaching certification is still needed for school nurses?

also why do you need to have a Bachelor degree? I could understand (maybe) a BSN but any BA? Fine art? Theater? What gives sounds like someone is filling their pockets.

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I know this is an old post but can anyone explain to tme why a teaching certification is still needed for school nurses?

also why do you need to have a Bachelor degree? I could understand (maybe) a BSN but any BA? Fine art? Theater? What gives sounds like someone is filling their pockets.

When I am done with my schooling (may! Woo!) I will have a professional educator license with an endorsement in school nursing. Now, I will be honest, I don't really know what that means. I wouldn't be able to apply for teaching jobs but I am studying more about IL state laws about special education and educational psychology. I'm learning about categories of disabilities for IEPs and different types of 504s. It's all very interesting. But to be fair, I feel like I could learn about the technical aspects without spending $10K on a certificate for it.

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I'd rather have any nurse than no nurse.

I'm sorry you think so little of your nursing school that graduates are unqualified to work till they get "certified".

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