Info on becoming a MA school RN

[kmd199]

Hello,

I have been an RN working at an urban community health center for thepast 3 years IN Boston, MA. I work in the FamilyMedicine Dept which sees both pediatric and adult patients. I recently became interested in working as aschool RN and have been trying to obtain additional information. I have my BSN from a local 4 year college, and 3 yearsworking in the pediatric/community health area. I plan on enrolling in the MSN-CNL program in the next year or so. I am trying to figure out what the next step maybe. It appears that I would need to do aschool nurse training program through Boston Public Health Dept and pass one of the MTELs. Any idea where there is training is offeredand how else I would proceed forward? Thank you for your time!

[cayenne06, MSN, CNM]

I'm not sure, but I currently work as a school RN at a boarding school for kids with mental health problems- I didn't have to take any extra certs, but I did have my BSN when I got the job. Not sure if that is helpful or not!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

There is training available if you are looking into getting school nursing. I am a MA school nurse (BSN), hired without the certification, but I am working on getting it.

Northeastern School Health Institute offers training several times a year and has the details on getting certified. The required training are four days long - visit https://www.neushi.org/. Details on MA state certification are here: MSNO Licensure. I cannot recommend the training enough. So much information that it seems overwhelming, but it really puts the school nurse role in perspective. They also had a list there you could add you name to if you were looking for a school nursing job (starting a substitute school nurse is how I later landed a full time position).

Hope this helps!