School Nurse Certification

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Hi everyone!

I am new to the School Nurse community! I am looking for recommendations on any online SN Certification programs for NJ! Any input or opinion is greatly appreciated!!

4 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

It varies from state to state, but I've researched NJ, PA and RI, and they all have grad level (not necessarily grad degree) requirements for school nurse licensure...

Yet somehow, we still do not get the respect of a "real" nurse by some people. One of my colleagues at another school in my district sent us a copy off her principal's newsletter and it said "And a big shoutout to Nurse Suzie, for giving out all those ice packs" ?? She just about lost her mind.

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Specializes in school nurse.
40 minutes ago, MHDNURSE said:

Yet somehow, we still do not get the respect of a "real" nurse by some people. One of my colleagues at another school in my district sent us a copy off her principal's newsletter and it said "And a big shoutout to Nurse Suzie, for giving out all those ice packs" ?? She just about lost her mind.

I don't blame her for being upset. How could the principal not mention all the saltines given out as well??? ?

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.
16 hours ago, MHDNURSE said:

Funny b/c I am in MA and have my Master's (I am a NP) and they wont accept that in order to get my professional license! They are telling me I have to have been working for at least three years full time as a school nurse AND have my master's. Super frustrating b/c I worked "PT" but at a Charter that had a much longer school day so essentially the same as at a "regular" school, but since HR has me listed as PT they cannot write a letter saying I was anything other than that. And now I am PT in my new district. So I will have to fork out the $350 and take the National Certification Exam just to avoid my initial license expiring in two years ?

Could you request copies of your paystubs that have your hours and see if DESE will accept that? The system is totally F'd. I feel lucky that I am in a FT position and able to work towards my professional licensure, but a lot of districts in Mass won't hire unless you're licensed! How the heck are you supposed to get licensed if all the schools in your area won't hire you until you have professional status? It's a huge Catch-22 and I think can be really discouraging. I took the BU SHIELD classes this summer and so many people there couldn't find work despite really wanting to work in schools. I also feel its a racket that we need to shell out for our RN license AND a DESE license.

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17 hours ago, Jedrnurse said:

I don't blame her for being upset. How could the principal not mention all the saltines given out as well??? ?

Seriously! Just ignoring half the job like that! SMDH

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Specializes in school nurse.
19 hours ago, MHDNURSE said:

Funny b/c I am in MA and have my Master's (I am a NP) and they wont accept that in order to get my professional license! They are telling me I have to have been working for at least three years full time as a school nurse AND have my master's. Super frustrating b/c I worked "PT" but at a Charter that had a much longer school day so essentially the same as at a "regular" school, but since HR has me listed as PT they cannot write a letter saying I was anything other than that. And now I am PT in my new district. So I will have to fork out the $350 and take the National Certification Exam just to avoid my initial license expiring in two years ?

The issue is the hours, not the degree. NSNC won't help you (you're right, the MSN fulfills that requirement), but professional status requires both Master's or NCSN status PLUS the equivalent of three years full-time as a school nurse. FYI, there is a way to renew initial license status one time.

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On 10/1/2019 at 10:29 AM, k1p1ssk said:

Could you request copies of your paystubs that have your hours and see if DESE will accept that? The system is totally F'd.

Yes, I spoke with our nurse leader this morning and mentioned my issues and she suggested calling my former employer and having them write a new letter only listing the total number of hours, so I am going to try that. Ani I totally agree it is crazy they require DESE certification to find a job but you need the hours to get certified- makes no sense. My district will hire you and allows you to then begin the process for initial certification in the first year.

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Specializes in pediatrics, school nursing.
16 hours ago, MHDNURSE said:

Yes, I spoke with our nurse leader this morning and mentioned my issues and she suggested calling my former employer and having them write a new letter only listing the total number of hours, so I am going to try that. Ani I totally agree it is crazy they require DESE certification to find a job but you need the hours to get certified- makes no sense. My district will hire you and allows you to then begin the process for initial certification in the first year.

That's how it is in my district as well; I'm still waiting on the letter from my former employer as well. It's been over 2 weeks and nothing. I am wondering if it had something to do with sending the email "securely" through gmail, but my former employer wanted me to email them the last 4 of my SSN. I'm sorry, but no way in hell am I emailing that willy-nilly. I'm going to call on Monday if I don't hear anything today or tomorrow.... Good luck!!

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Specializes in IMC, school nursing.
On 9/30/2019 at 5:15 PM, MHDNURSE said:

Yet somehow, we still do not get the respect of a "real" nurse by some people. One of my colleagues at another school in my district sent us a copy off her principal's newsletter and it said "And a big shoutout to Nurse Suzie, for giving out all those ice packs" ?? She just about lost her mind.

... and here's to Principal Skinner for all those suspensions he gives out.

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On 5/22/2019 at 11:13 AM, LikeTheDeadSea said:

ONE OF US!

ONE OF US!

I did my at Eastern University, too. (I'm in PA)

@LikeTheDeadSea I am extremely interested in getting into school nursing. I am currently a 26 year old nurse at CHOP with my BSN. I have been looking into Eastern's program and wanted to see if you could share your personal experience with their program! I am particularly interested in getting my school nurse cert from there and then applying those credits towards an MSN. Any information on Eastern's program and school nursing in general is greatly appreciated! I know with COVID-19 it is a strange time to want to get into school nursing but it has always been in the back of mind and lately I have been very eager to get started! Thank you in advance!!

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Specializes in School Nursing.
7 minutes ago, sp8 said:

@LikeTheDeadSea I am extremely interested in getting into school nursing. I am currently a 26 year old nurse at CHOP with my BSN. I have been looking into Eastern's program and wanted to see if you could share your personal experience with their program! I am particularly interested in getting my school nurse cert from there and then applying those credits towards an MSN. Any information on Eastern's program and school nursing in general is greatly appreciated! I know with COVID-19 it is a strange time to want to get into school nursing but it has always been in the back of mind and lately I have been very eager to get started! Thank you in advance!!

Sending you a direct message! ? 

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.
19 hours ago, sp8 said:

I know with COVID-19 it is a strange time to want to get into school nursing but it has always been in the back of mind and lately I have been very eager to get started! Thank you in advance!!

It's not any stranger of a time - you just do different things. School nursing is essentially community nursing, which is a lovely combo of urgent care, public health, triage, and education. We're just focusing on the public health and education a lot more.

Good luck!

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Specializes in School nursing.
On 9/30/2019 at 5:13 PM, MHDNURSE said:

Funny b/c I am in MA and have my Master's (I am a NP) and they won't accept that in order to get my professional license! They are telling me I have to have been working for at least three years full time as a school nurse AND have my master's. Super frustrating b/c I worked "PT" but at a Charter that had a much longer school day so essentially the same as at a "regular" school, but since HR has me listed as PT they cannot write a letter saying I was anything other than that. And now I am PT in my new district. So I will have to fork out the $350 and take the National Certification Exam just to avoid my initial license expiring in two years ?

See, I don't have my master's - I was in a direct entry NP Program but once I fell into and in love with school nursing, the NP coursework and clinicals were impossible with my work hours in my program (all stuff was day-time, UGH). Plus having the NP didn't mean anything to my scope of practice.

Now I'm studying because I told myself I WILL take the National Certification Exam and pass this Spring before my initial school nursing license expires (which I have heard they will renew once usually but not taking any chances). 

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