Path to a School Nurse Administration/Director of Health in a School

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Specializes in NCSN.

Hey All,
 

I decided I want to take the leap and go for my masters to get on that higher payscale that's offered where I work. Most of the other nurses go for their MSN in Nursing Education but honestly, that's just not for me. My dream goal is to one day lead a group of school nurses as a Director of Health Services/ School Nurse Administrator on a school district level or even be a state's school nurse liaison someday. 

I'm going back and forth between getting an MSN in Nursing leadership or just a regular MS in Healthcare Leadership. The latter would be a lot faster for me to complete and doesn't require a in-person capstone course, but then I wonder if that will look odd in the future when I'm applying for those bigger roles that I didn't take the MSN route? I have my BSN and NCSN already. 

Any input? 

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

not sure if this program is offered online, but perhaps the MS in school nursing offered by NJCU may be something you're interested in.  Of course if they don't offer online and you're not in norther NJ, it's probably not practical

https://www.njcu.edu/academics/schools-colleges/college-professional-studies/departments/nursing/graduate-programs/master-science-nursing-specialization-school-nursing-ms

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Specializes in school nurse.

I would think that the Healthcare Leadership might have more "nuts and bolts" things that would help you as a Director of Health Services. Keep in mind that in the school setting it's not so much of a pure nursing prism that you'd be looking through, more of a Public Health one. 

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I'm wondering if you could look up some of the School Nurse Administrators in your area (maybe on LinkedIn?) and see what degrees they have.  

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Specializes in School Nursing.

 Masters in School Health Services? (Falls under Masters of Education in my state.)

My state also has a Certification in Supervision of Pupil Services. (Sort of like a principal certification for non-teachers and is absolutely required for administration roles.)  I would see if your state had something like that

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Specializes in kids.

I got mine in Health Care Administration

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Specializes in oncology.
On 3/11/2021 at 11:50 AM, WineRN said:

MSN in Nursing leadership or just a regular MS in Healthcare Leadership. The latter would be a lot faster for me to complete and doesn't require a in-person capstone course,

When the requirements are so different in terms of time or established achievements of the graduate, I think you can assume this is no where near as rigorous a program of study  as for the MSN. Be aware that not having an MSN can eliminate your candidacy for positions that require a strong nursing background. 

On 3/11/2021 at 11:50 AM, WineRN said:

My dream goal is to one day lead a group of school nurses as a Director of Health Services/ School Nurse Administrator on a school district level or even be a state's school nurse liaison someday. 

It sounds like if you want to be a director/school nurse adminstrator your degree should reflect the knowledge base inherent in the job.

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Specializes in NCSN.
On 3/22/2021 at 7:39 PM, londonflo said:

It sounds like if you want to be a director/school nurse adminstrator your degree should reflect the knowledge base inherent in the job.

Thanks for the input! I feel like the MSN would open more doors in the world of nursing. But since school leadership positions are not nursing-based and would involve so much more outside of that world, I am leaning towards healthcare leadership so I would have a broader base to support the whole school community.

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