School nurse certifications??

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hello everyone...

I am not a school nurse (I work in a hospital right now), but I think it would be a great job in the future. I just have few questions...I was doing some research and came across a school nurse certificate program through the University of Pheonix (this is very expensive, and is it even necessary or is this a waste of time?) Do you need to take a school nurse certificate program through a college? How does one become prepared to take the national school nurse certification through NBCSN? Do most states require certification? Sorry...I am so confused as to where to even begin. BTW..I have my BSN

Thank you so much!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

Hi!

You should go to the NBCSN site and see whats there. I was a school nurse for 3 years before I took the certification test. You should work as a school nurse before you spend money on certification. Make sure it's what you want to do. And when you do take the certification test you really don't need a formal course. I studied out of "The School Health Manual" and passed on the first try. I think the book cost me $55 but the test was $275. So that's my 2 cents.... Good luck ! :nurse:

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I think it depends on where you are from. I am a school nurse in Missouri and I have my associates degree. Here, they do not require a school nurse certification and when I asked them about getting it, they stated that I would not be paid any more than I do now.

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Specializes in Critical Care, Dialysis, School Nursing.

Yes also very true. In Massachsetts I am required to have NCSN certification but I am not paid more for it. In this state school nurse pay is by school district. We are not on the teachers pay scale but some neighboring towns are. Of course the teachers earn more than we do even though we have equitable education and more requirements. For example, I have a BS and an ADN. I also have a current CPR card, a current MA nursing license and a current NBCSN. I must also be Massachusetts Department of Education licensed, which required a literacy test, and now, the collecting of 150 "Professional Developments Points" every 5 years. Are you glad you don't live here??!!!

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Specializes in School Nurse, Maternal Newborn.

FYI- The University of Phoenix no longer has that program. I had checked it out last year, defunct.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Every state is different. Check with yours to see what is required. In PA we need a BSN + School Nurse Certification through the department of education.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thank you so much for all the replies everyone!! I appreciate it very much. I live in Georgia so I am going to find out what is required. I think I may talk to the nurse at my son's school...maybe I can get in as a sub at some point....school nurse jobs are very few and far between..

thanks again!

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