Masters Degree for School Nurses?

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/requirements/service_personnel.htm

E. Certification of School Nurses (2004)

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.

      [*]Completion of two years of experience as a school nurse prior to July 1, 1972.

      [*]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

      
      
   
   

UIC, in Chicago.

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

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

:nurse: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?

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

Yeah it is crazy to think that Professional Registered Nurse with a BSN and several abriviations after my name oh and the ability to save you a&&! would be linked with the job decriptions of "some high school required"

But I am lucky...both of the secretaries have degrees in social work and our janitor is a retired military man. They love LOVE the kids! I am lucky to be included with these people. But the one perk I wouldn't mind is tenure! oh and to be paid more what profession/I deserve, but MAN THIS SCHEDULE ROCKs!!!

Masters in Nursing directory:

http://www.mastersinnursing.com/