School nurse

Question: I have been working as a registered nurse (RN) for about a year now. While I made the decision to pursue nursing over teaching, I still have an interest in working in an educational setting. Can you tell me what the qualifications are to work as a school nurse? Are there jobs available?
— Betty

Response: You would need to earn a School Nurses Services Credential which is issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (CCTC).

Since you already have completed a bachelor's degree program and are currently licensed as a RN, you are qualified to file for a preliminary credential which would allow you to work as a school nurse with a public school district.

The preliminary credential is valid for up to five years but you need to complete clear credential requirements in order to continue to work as a school nurse beyond the five years.

Clear Credential requirements include completion of a CCTC approved school nurse credential program and two years of experience as a full-time preliminary credentialed school nurse.

For further information, contact:

California Commission on Teacher Credentialing

1900 Capitol Avenue

Sacramento, CA 95814

(888) 921-2682

www.ctc.ca.gov

This commission is responsible for the credentialing of school nurses.

Training Options and Costs
California State University, Northridge (CSUN) and California State University, Los Angeles (CSULA), offer part-time school nurse credential programs. That allows students to work as full-time preliminary credentialed school nurses.

Admission requirements include a bachelor's degree and an active RN license. Most schools actually require employment as a preliminary credentialed school nurse.

The following is specific program information on the CCTC approved school nurse credential programs offered by CSUN and CSULA.

CSUN

Department of Health Sciences

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330

(818) 677-2681

Fax (818) 677-2045

www.csun.edu

Contact: JoAllen Murata, Program Advisor

The department offers a two-year, part-time 24-unit School Nurse Credential program. Courses include Nutrition and Health, and Health Aspects of Drug Use. Graduate tuition for a full-time semester (7 units or more) is approximately $1,400 and for a part-time semester (7 units or less) is approximately $800, not including book and miscellaneous expenses.

CSULA

Department of Nursing

5151 State University Drive

Los Angeles, CA 90032

(323) 343-4708

www.calstatela.edu

Contact: Beverly R. Bigler, Coordinator

The college offers a three year, part-time 45-unit School Nurse credential program. Courses include Nursing Assessment in Public Schools and Foundations of Special Education. Graduate tuition for a full-time quarter (7 units or more) is approximately $900 and for a part-time quarter (7 units or less) is approximately $600, not including book and miscellaneous expenses.

Additional educational option
California State University, Long Beach (CSULB) offers a 49-unit combined school nurse credential and master's degree program. According to a program representative, this program is recommended for those who would also like the option of working as a nursing teacher. For further information, contact:

CSULB

Department of Nursing

1250 Bellflower Blvd.

Long Beach, CA 90840

(562) 985-4463

www.csulb.edu

Contact: Dr Margaret Brady

Job Description
School nurses plan and implement student health programs according to California State Department of Education regulations and school administration standards.

They review the results of health screenings and document students' health status. If needed, school nurses consult with administrators and the student's parents and make referrals to appropriate health care resources. Related duties include administering immunization shots and maintaining such specialized equipment as audiometers and otoscopes which they operate.

School nurses conduct staff sessions to educate administrators and teachers on health issues pertinent to the student population. They may also participate in Individual Education Program meetings on the assessment and placement of Special Education students.

Salary Range
Annual earnings of school nurses vary by the district. For example, a preliminary or clear credentialed Los Angeles Unified School District school nurse earns a beginning annual salary of approximately $41,200.

Employment Outlook
There is above average growth projected through 2010 for nurses including school nurses. According to a representative of the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), there is a strong need for school nurses. Currently, the district has 20 job openings for school nurses.

Professional Associations
You could consider joining the following professional associations while completing a school nurse credential program:

California School Nurse Association (CSNA)

801 12th Street, Suite 230

Sacramento, CA 95814

(888) 268-2766

Fax (916) 448-5767

www.csno.org

Southern California Section

Contact: Carol Brock

E-mail: carol.brock@abcusd.k12.ca.us

This is a professional association of school nurses. Student membership is open to RNs enrolled in a school nurse credential program. Membership benefits include industry updates through section newsletters, networking opportunities at local section meetings, and an online listing of employment opportunities. Annual student membership dues are $88.

CSNA members are given automatic membership with the following professional association:

National Association of School Nurses

Western Office

1416 Park Street, Suite A

Castle Rock, CO 80109

(866) 627-6767

Fax (303) 663-0403

E-mail: nasn@nasn.org

Membership benefits include industry updates through publications including Journal of School Nursing, scholarship programs, and networking opportunities through online discussion groups.

 
Susan W. Miller, M.A., is a National Certified Career Counselor, a Certified Vocational Evaluation Specialist and holds diplomate status on the American Board of Vocational Experts. She heads California Career Services, a private practice career counseling firm in Los Angeles.

E-mail career questions you'd like answered in this column to info@californiacareerservices.com or visit California Career Services at www.californiacareerservices.com.