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School Nurse Certification

School Health Services Supervisory Certification (pdf download)

General Information

The Department of Nursing at Millersville University offers a school nurse certificate option approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education. All course content and time offerings are designed to meet the needs of the student, as well as State standards for certification. The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) has made revisions in the admission and completion criteria for certification programs. As of the Fall 2001 semester, the school nurse certification program is a POST BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and current license as a Registered Nurse in this state are required for certification of School Nurse Candidates.

School nurse specialty certification is NOT a requirement to take the PPSA (Pre Professional Skills Assessment- Praxis I exams) if a copy of the PA Registered Nurse license is included in the application for certification.

The GRE requirement has been made optional, although the GRE scores could be used for borderline admission decisions. However for admission to other graduate programs the GRE's scores are required.

The following forms of undergraduate evidence are required for admission in addition to completion of the Graduate Admissions Application packet:

Admission into Certification Program

Applicants desiring admission to Millersville University should:

  1. Request a packet of materials on Certification from the Certification Office (717-872-3816) at Millersville University.
  2. Complete the admission graduate application and submit with fee undergraduate transcripts, recommendations, and GRE scores to the Graduate Studies Office (717-872-3030).

Upon admission to the School Nurse Certification Program, contact the coordinator (717-872-3410) for advisement to discuss the program and course selection. The nursing department will send a packet of materials, which must be completed and returned to the Department prior to their first semester. They include:

Completion of the Certification Requirements

Graduate evidence of:

Upon completion of the requirements, obtain a packet from the Certification Office; Stayer Building entitled “ Professional Personal Certification Forms”. This packet must be completed and submitted with the fee to the Certification Office within the first six weeks of the final semester. A provisional certification will be awarded from the State. See Pennsylvania Department of Educational Regulations for permanent certification criteria.

School Nurse Certification Required Course Descriptions

NURSE 560: SCHOOL NURSING
Focus on the specialty of school nursing, examining the role of the school nurse in health promotion of school age youth. Health services, health education, and environmental health of the school community are explored. Legal issues of nursing in a school setting are identified. Individualized health plans that address the special health needs of children in the school setting are developed. Management and evaluation of the comprehensive school health program are discussed with an understanding for the need for outcome criteria. Clinical experiences provide the student an opportunity to participate in school health settings at both elementary and secondary levels. Offered Fall Only.
Prereq: Undergraduate - NURSE 322, NURSE 423 and faculty permissions. Graduate - BSN

EDFN 545: ADVANCED EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY
A review of psychological principles as they relate to human learning in the urban and non-urban setting. Special consideration given to factors in the school that should contribute to the emotional and psychological stability of the developing child: assessing students' capabilities, setting educational objectives for the individual child, classroom practices and procedures, teachers' behavior and their relationship to different types of students. Content, process, and the interaction of the two are thoroughly examined.

PSYC 525: ADVANCED DEVELOPMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY
In-depth examination of human development, with emphasis on period from birth through adolescence. Presentation of current accounts characterizing development in various domains (physical, cognitive, social, moral, psychosexual) and critical review of theoretical attempts to explain the process of development.

PSYC 505: DEVELOPMENTS IN PSYCHOLOGY: COUNSELING STRATEGIES FOR NURSES
An introduction to the process and practice of counseling. Emphasis is placed on learning counseling theories and on counseling skills. Offered in Spring.

School Nurse Certification Expected Competencies

(based on NASN & ANA (2005) Scope and standards of professional school nursing practice)

THE STANDARDS OF CARE

The School Nurse utilizes the nursing process when providing care for school age youth.

ASSESSMENT
The school nurse collects client data
Data collection involves the student, family, school staff, community, and other health care providers, as necessary and is determined by the nursing diagnosis and the client's immediate condition and/or needs.
Pertinent individual and aggregate data are collected, using appropriate assessment techniques, and are documented in a retrievable form . The data collection process is systematic, organized, and on-going.

DIAGNOSIS
The school nurse analyzes the assessment data in determining nursing diagnoses.
Nursing diagnoses, individual and aggregate, are derived from the evaluation of assessment data and validated with client are documented in a manner that facilitates the determination of expected outcomes and the plan of care/action.

OUTCOME IDENTIFICATION
The school nurse identifies expected outcomes individualized to the client.
Outcomes are derived from the nursing diagnoses and are mutually formulated with the student, family, school staff, community, and other providers, as appropriate. Outcomes are culturally appropriate and realistic in relation to the client's present and potential capabilities in relation to the resources necessary and attainable in a reasonable time line.
Outcomes are documented as measurable goals

PLANNING
The school nurse develops a plan of care/action that specifies interventions to attain expected outcomes.
The plan is individualized to the student's diagnosis/nursing diagnosis and is a component of the individual program for students with special health care needs.
The plan is developed in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, and collaboratively developed with the student, family, school staff, community and other providers, as appropriate.
The plan reflects current standards of school nursing practice and provides for continuity of care and the plan of action to be taken. The plan is documented in a retrievable form.

IMPLEMENTATION
The school nurse implements the interventions identified in the plan of care/action.
Interventions are consistent with the established plan of care/action and are implemented in a safe, timely, and appropriate manner that reflect current standards of school nursing practice. Documentation is in a retrievable form.

EVALUATION
The school nurse evaluates the client's progress toward attainment of outcomes.
Evaluation is systematic, continuous, and criterion-based. Ongoing assessment data, including incremental goal attainment in achieving the expected outcomes, are used to revise diagnoses and outcomes and the plan of care/action, as needed. Revisions in nursing diagnoses, outcomes, and the plan of care/action are documented in a retrievable form.
The client's responses to interventions are documented in a retrievable form and effectiveness of interventions is evaluated in relation to outcomes.

THE STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL PERFORMANCE

QUALITY OF CARE
The school nurse systematically evaluates the quality and effectiveness of school nursing practice.
The school nurse participates in quality assurance activities as appropriate to that individual's position and practice environment and uses the results to initiate changes in school nursing practice to improve the quality and effectiveness of school health services.

PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL
The school nurse evaluates own nursing practice in relation to professional practice standards and relevant statutes, regulations, and policies.
The school nurse participates in performance appraisal on a regular basis, identifying areas of strength and weakness, as well as ways to refine professional development. The school nurse takes action to achieve goals identified during performance appraisal.
The school nurse initiates and participates in peer review, as appropriate. The school nurse's practice reflects knowledge of current professional practice standards, education and health care laws and regulations, and school policies.

EDUCATION
The school nurse acquires and maintains current knowledge and competency in school nursing practice.
The school nurse acquires knowledge and skills appropriate to the specialty practice of school nursing on a regular and ongoing basis. The school nurse consistently participates in continuing education activities related to current clinical knowledge and professional issues and seeks experience to maintain current clinical skills and competence.

COLLEGIALITY
The school nurse interacts with and contributes to the professional development of peers and school personnel as colleagues.
The school nurse shares knowledge and skills with nursing and interdisciplinary colleagues.
The school nurse interacts with nursing and interdisciplinary colleagues to enhance professional practice and the health care of students. The school nurse contributes to a supportive and healthy work environment. The school nurse participates in appropriate professional organizations in a membership and/or leadership capacity.

 ETHICS
The school nurse's decisions and actions on behalf of clients are determined in an ethical manner.
The school nurse's practice is guided by the Code for Nurses (ANA) and the Code of Ethics with Interpretive Statements for School Nurses (NASN), and appropriate state nurse practice acts.
The school nurse maintains client confidentiality within legal, regulatory, and ethical parameters of health and education.
The school nurse delivers care in a nonjudgmental and nondiscriminatory manner that is sensitive to student diversity in the school community and delivers care in a manner that promotes and preserves student and family autonomy, dignity, and rights.
The school nurse seeks available resources to formulate ethical decisions. The school nurse acts as a client advocate.

COLLABORATION
The school nurse collaborates with the student, family, school staff, community, and other providers in providing student care.
The school nurse communicates verbally and in writing with the student, family, school staff, community, and other providers regarding client care and nursing role in the provision of care.
The school nurse collaborates with the student, family, school staff, community, and other providers in the formulation of overall goals, time lines, the plan of care, and decisions related to care and the delivery of services.
The school nurse assists individual students in developing appropriate skills to advocate for themselves, based on age and developmental level. The school nurse consults with and utilizes the expertise of other providers for client care and makes referrals, including provisions for continuity of care, as needed.

RESEARCH
The school nurse promotes use of research findings in school nursing practice
The school nurse utilizes available research in developing the health programs and individual client plans of care and interventions. The school nurse participates in research activities as appropriate to the nurse's education, position, and practice environment. The school nurse uses research findings in the development of policies and procedures for client care and program development. The school nurse contributes to the nursing literature when and if possible.

RESOURCE UTILIZATION
The school nurse considers factors related to safety, effectiveness, and cost when planning and delivering care.
The school nurse evaluates factors related to safety, effectiveness, availability, and cost when choosing among two or more practice options that would result in the same expected client or program outcomes.
The school nurse assists the student, family, school staff, and community in identifying and securing appropriate and available services and resources to address health-related needs.
The school nurse assigns or delegates tasks as defined by the state nurse practice acts and according to the knowledge and skills of the designated caregiver.
If the school nurse assigns or delegates tasks, it is based on the needs and condition of the client, the potential for harm, the stability of the client's condition, the complexity of the task, and the predictability of the outcome.
The school nurse assists the student, family, school staff, and community in becoming informed consumers about the cost, risks, and benefits of health promotions, health education, school health services, and individualized health interventions for students.

COMMUNICATION
The school nurse uses effective written, verbal, and nonverbal communication skills.
The school nurse communicates effectively with the student, family, school staff, community, and other providers regarding student care and the role of the school nurse in the provision of care. The school nurse employs counseling techniques and crisis-intervention strategies for individuals and groups. The school nurse utilizes communication as a positive strategy to achieve nursing goals. The school nurse demonstrates knowledge of the philosophy and mission of the school district, the kind and nature of its curricular and extracurricular activities, and its programs and special services.

PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
The school nurse manages school health services.
The school nurse manages school health services as appropriate to the nurse's education, position, and practice environment.
The school nurse conducts school health needs assessments to identify current health problems and identify the need for new programs. The school nurse develops and implements needed health programs using a program planning process.
The school nurse demonstrates knowledge of existing school health programs and current health trends that may impact client care, the sources of funds for each, school policy related to each, and local, state, and federal law governing each.
The school nurse develops and implements health policies and procedures in collaboration with school administrators, the board of health, and the board of education.
The school nurse evaluates ongoing health programs for outcomes and quality of care and communicates findings to administrators and the board of education. The school nurse orients, provides training, documents competency, supervises, and evaluates health assistants, aides, and UAPs as appropriate to the school setting.
The school nurse uses the results of school health/environmental needs assessment, analysis of evaluation data, and quality of care activities to initiate changes throughout the health care delivery system, as appropriate.
The school nurse participates in environmental safety and health activities, e.g., indoor air quality, injury surveillance, and prevention. The school nurse adopts and utilizes available technology, as appropriate to the work setting.

HEALTH EDUCATION
The school nurse assists students, families, school staff, and community to achieve optimal levels of wellness through appropriately designed and delivered health education.
The school nurse participates in the assessment of needs for health education for students and the school community.
The school nurse acts as a resource person to school staff to provide developmentally appropriate formal health instruction within the classroom based on sound learning theory. The school nurse provides individual and group health teaching and counseling for and with clients. The school nurse participates in the design, development and evaluation of health curricula.

Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Regulations for Certification (1987)

At the end of six (6) years of employment as a school nurse, you must convert the provisional certificate to permanent status. You must provide evidence of twenty-four (24) semester hour credits to meet the educational requirements for making such certification permanent.

The state also requires an experience category of three (3) years of satisfactory service to a school district. If after three (3) years of satisfactory service and twenty-four (24) semester hour credits, you could formally apply through the school district for permanent certification. (Part-time employment is calculated to pro-rate your creditable service.)

In addition to above, Act 48 (passed in 1999) now requires 180 hours of continuing education or 6 graduate credits to maintain certification.