School Nurse Cert with DOE

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I am curious how many of you HAVE to have a school nurse certification with the dept. of ed. in your state along with your license from the BON?

Specializes in School nurse.

In NJ you have to have a bachelors and DOE certification as well. The cert involves 15-22 credits above the bachelors with a clinical and annual CEU's.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.

In MA you need to be RN licensed and you need to be certified thru the Dept. Of Ed, same dept. that certifys teachers. There are several classes you need to take to get the certs and you also have to take and pass the MTELL (teachers test in English and writing) to get the certs. the NASN SN certificate is different and doesn't really count toward the MA one.

In my district, you have to have a BSN as well.

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In Pennsylvania, you need a BSN plus a certification from the dept of ed. I must say my school nurse classes were some of the most interesting.

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Specializes in school nurse.
In MA you need to be RN licensed and you need to be certified thru the Dept. Of Ed, same dept. that certifys teachers. There are several classes you need to take to get the certs and you also have to take and pass the MTELL (teachers test in English and writing) to get the certs. the NASN SN certificate is different and doesn't really count toward the MA one.

In my district, you have to have a BSN as well.

Actually, after the first 5 year school nurse licensure period in MA you have to either have your master's degree or professional certification e.g. NSNC to continue (get your professional status license). You can apply for a one time renewal of your initial license, but it's not guaranteed. Also, the BSN is a state wide requirement for DESE licensure as well, excluding sub nurses, who don't have to have a school nurse license.

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No cert needed in Arkansas.

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Interesting how much it varies. Thank you for all of the replies!!!

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Specializes in School nursing.
Actually, after the first 5 year school nurse licensure period in MA you have to either have your master's degree or professional certification e.g. NSNC to continue (get your professional status license). You can apply for a one time renewal of your initial license, but it's not guaranteed. Also, the BSN is a state wide requirement for DESE licensure as well, excluding sub nurses, who don't have to have a school nurse license.

Yeah, I hate this. I'm not sure I want my Master's at this point. It will do nothing for me at my school, just have me spend money for pretty much no increase in pay. Maybe I will just get national licensure...

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Specializes in school nurse.
Yeah, I hate this. I'm not sure I want my Master's at this point. It will do nothing for me at my school, just have me spend money for pretty much no increase in pay. Maybe I will just get national licensure...

I did it. Now if I want to get my master's, it will be because I want to get my master's. I recommend trying the NSNC exam as soon as possible. There's a relatively high fail rate, so the earlier you take it, the more opportunity you'll have to re-take it. (if you need to...)

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Specializes in School nursing.
I did it. Now if I want to get my master's, it will be because I want to get my master's. I recommend trying the NSNC exam as soon as possible. There's a relatively high fail rate, so the earlier you take it, the more opportunity you'll have to re-take it. (if you need to...)

Yep, that's also what I hate. And really, they give no way to truly study, which grrr. I'm debating trying this summer.

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Specializes in School Nursing, Pediatrics.
Actually, after the first 5 year school nurse licensure period in MA you have to either have your master's degree or professional certification e.g. NSNC to continue (get your professional status license). You can apply for a one time renewal of your initial license, but it's not guaranteed. Also, the BSN is a state wide requirement for DESE licensure as well, excluding sub nurses, who don't have to have a school nurse license.

Oh yes, you are correct. I already have an MSN so I dont even think of that.

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Specializes in kids.
It is now becoming law in NH.. however some of us do not meet the requirements to get the cert. Called the contact for this specific cert at the DOE, and they had no answer for me... frustrating.

They just released a technical advisory from the DOE re the certification. Maybe that will clear up things for you?

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In N.C. you have to be certified through NBCSN along with your license from NCBON.

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