RN-ASN for School Nurse

Jeanine · May 9, 2005

I live in NJ and have a BA in Psych and an AAS in Nursing. I sent my transcipts to the State of NJ Dept. of Edu. (certifications) and asked them to evaluate them. They told me what I needed, which included public health nursing. Try that route.

GOOD LUCK

annlet · May 9, 2005

Thanks for the info. Did you end up taking a public health nursing course or what. I did (a few years ago) submit transcipts and such and tried to apply for a waiver but no luck. Thanks again.

Annlet

Jeanine · May 9, 2005

Your best bet, and maybe the cheapest, is to get a BSN through an online program. I think you could also go for the Regents tests since you're in NY. I think that's through Excelsior College's online program. I did have to take a Public Health course along with school nursing courses and some education courses to get the certification. A BA is the only requirement with an RN in NJ. Maybe you could apply for an emergency certification if you find a job. That way you can waive some of the courses because of experience.

bergren · May 17, 2005

There are actually more and more RN - BSN online available. I am not aware of one in Nevada, but you should check. University of Phoenix , U of Iowa has one.

Illinois asks that nurses who want to work as a school nurse with a BSN in another field take Public Health Nursing, Health Assessment and Nurisng Leadership and these three courses ar available online. (They also have to take 2 education courses, Education Psychology and Exceptional Child, and two school nursing classes but that is for state certification and is not a national requirement)

I agree with the previous response that you should check with your state and find out if you have to actually earn the BSN or if taking a few "bridge" courses will suffice.

Your best bet, and maybe the cheapest, is to get a BSN through an online program. I think you could also go for the Regents tests since you're in NY. I think that's through Excelsior College's online program. I did have to take a Public Health course along with school nursing courses and some education courses to get the certification. A BA is the only requirement with an RN in NJ. Maybe you could apply for an emergency certification if you find a job. That way you can waive some of the courses because of experience.

annlet · May 21, 2005

thanks for all your help. I will look into all your recommendations, however I do know Univ. of Phoenix is a bit expensive!

Thanks again,

Annlet

HeleneRN · Jun 2, 2005

Massachusetts is contemplating requiring an MSN for a school nurse. I have a diploma in nursing and have just recently returned to finish my BSN, which should take another year. I looked into an online BSN program and found them to be very expensive. At this point, the minimum for a school nurse is a BSN. I can work as a substitute nurse, which is a great way to start. I go from school to school as needed, working with kids at all grade levels.

I just don't understand how they could expect a nurse with a Masters to work in a low paying school system.

Helene

nitengale75 · Jun 25, 2005

I live in Illinois. I graduated in 75 with a diploma in nursing. Talk about a great education. The student nurses practically ran the hospital. Anyway, when I hired in as a school nurse, I returned to Eastern Illinois University and obtained my B.A. I was given credits for already being a nurse. I then enrolled in a school nursing pogram through National Louis University. They evaluated my transcripts and gave me credit for the public health nursing I took in my diploma program. I took the extra courses required as mentioned by Martha Bergren, did the school nursing internship and finished with the state testing in basic skills and school nursing. This allowed me to be certified in the state of Illinois as a school nurse. Then in 2003 I completed my M.Ed. at Cambridge College with the emphasis in school nursing. I am paid on the teacher's scale and make an excellent salary with my master's. If you want to stay in school nursing I would evaluate if a master's would benefit you before investing. Some school districts do not pay their nurses on teacher scale, so HeleneRN is right. But if school nursing is not going to be your "career" then a master's would certainly be of benefit for you if you go elsewhere!

sonsonly · Jul 3, 2005

University of South Alabama has an excellent, reasonably priced, RN to BSN program. I will graduate in 3 weeks:) It has been a great experience--good luck.

cb0027 · Jul 8, 2005

I'm in the same situation at annlet. I too have an BA and Assoc. I live in Massachusetts and would like to start my nursing career off in school nursing. I took two semesters of community health. Do you think that would count for the public health? I am having a hard time trying to figure out if I am eligible for certification. According to the DOE website I think I need 2 yrs. experience. Can anyone help me out? I plan to eventually get my masters. I have no interest in getting another BA.

bergren · Aug 5, 2005

Community Health and Public Health are the same course, different names. Some schools accept it, others ask you to take it over if it is too old, but I believe they are the minority.

I'm in the same situation at annlet. I too have an BA and Assoc. I live in Massachusetts and would like to start my nursing career off in school nursing. I took two semesters of community health. Do you think that would count for the public health? I am having a hard time trying to figure out if I am eligible for certification. According to the DOE website I think I need 2 yrs. experience. Can anyone help me out? I plan to eventually get my masters. I have no interest in getting another BA.

**RosesrReder, BSN, MSN, RN** · Aug 5, 2005

I live in Nevada and the minimum requirements to be considered for a school nurse is a BSN. In addition to my ASN, I have a B.S. in another field. I'm just wondering if anyone else has come upon a similar road block. They claim the requirement is because ASN do not cover Public Health nursing, but certainly they are courses out there to educate me in this area. Just looking for some helpful input.
Annlet

You might want to try online if it works for you. Good luck to you.