New Pennsylvania School Nurse

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Hi Everyone -

I am recently certified school nurse in the state of PA. I have an active RN license, been practicing in different fields of nursing for almost 9 years, including Sub school nursing and recently hired as a certified school nurse for a special needs school.

I have a question, it is my understanding you need either CEU's (a lot of them) or get your Masters degree to make your Certification "permanent" , and most certified school nurses I worked with have their Masters in Education, like school health services and things like tha t(a couple had MSN). I need my BSN and MSN, and I have looked into SO many different programs, right now Chamberlain looks most attractive because you earn both degrees at the end of the program, and I think I will get a raise in pay.

Has anyone else run into a similar situation? What school did you attend? Did you get your Masters or MSN? I am looking for any and ALL advice! Thank you!

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Not sure if what I commented on one of your other posts also answers this, but feel free to message me for anything more specific.

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When I got mine, it was Bachelors+ 24 credits. All my school nurse credits counted because they were done post bachelors ani I got the rest if them through my local IU for a reasonable cost. I have not pursued my masters, nor do I plan on it. The cost of the MSN would never pay for itself with the tiny salary increase I would get.

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Would love to! Thank you!

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Are you in PA? I feel like the pay increase is at least $5k a year in PA, or at least I thought that is what I saw.

When you were going for your certification, you didn't already have a BSN and you had to get a bachelors plys 24 credits to be certified? I am just making sure I am reading this right :-}

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Are you in PA? I feel like the pay increase is at least $5k a year in PA, or at least I thought that is what I saw.

When you were going for your certification, you didn't already have a BSN and you had to get a bachelors plys 24 credits to be certified? I am just making sure I am reading this right :-}

I would make about $1000/year more according to my contract. With 12 years till retirement, not worth it. I was a diploma grad when I started which only qualified me to work as an aid in a school, not a nurse. I went back for my BSN then CSN and all the CSN credits, 12 I think, counted towards my permanent certification.

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Hi lovebeingamom76, What program/school did you attend to get the certified school nurse classes needed?

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