School Nurse Certificate Program University of Illinois-Chicago College of Nursing School Nurse Program

Phyllis Powell Pelt, MS, RN Director School Nurse Certification Program Office : Fax

Martha Dewey Bergren, DNS RN NCSN FNASN Coordinator, School Nurse Master’s Programs Fax

School Nurse Program Clinical Instructors  Frances Belmonte-Mann, MA, RN  Margaret McGann, MSN, RN

School Nurse Certification Sub-specialty – distinct, unique body of knowledge Ensures standard: –preparation –knowledge –practice

Certification for School Nurses  Parallels teacher certification  Commitment to profession  Peer recognition  Improves opportunities & advancement

School Nurse Certification Steps In the following sequence: 1.BSN 2.ISBE Test of Basic Skills 3.Education course 4.Two (2) School Nurse Courses 5.School Nurse Content Exam

University of Illinois School Nurse Certificate- New Fall 2006  Designed for nurses working IN schools in other states  Nurses working WITH schools in any state

Test of Basic Skills- REQUIRED  State, not university administered test  Take NOW, BEFORE you apply  Web registration & study guide sting.htm sting.htm

ONLINE School Nurse Program 1.NUPH 501- Education Perspectives in School Health- (4 Semester Hours) 2.NUPH 502: School Nursing Theory and Trends (3 Semester Hours) 3.NUPH 519 School Nursing Internship (3 Semester Hours) TOTAL: 10 Semester Hour PROGRAM

UIC Campus Participation  ONLINE Curriculum  On campus Saturday classes twice during program  Out-of-state students may substitute other experience for on campus experiences

ISBE School Nurse Type 73 Content Exam  Illinois State Board of Education  Study Guide l.us/certification/htm l/testing.htm

School Nurse Internship required for certification  All students 300 hour internship (NUPH 519)** –Nurses in school nurse role may do 260 hours or fewer “on the job” + 40 or more outside –Nurses not in schools earn all 300 hours supervised  15 weeks or one school year in length  Clinical contracts with schools  School nurse intern eligibility form required – 44_ssp_intern_status.pdfhttp:// 44_ssp_intern_status.pdf  40 hours or more of UIC preceptor contact  Preceptor w/i 30 miles of residence (or intern identified preceptor)

NUPH 519 School Nurse Internship **Variable Credit Options (Extended period to complete 300 hour internship and course requirements) 1.One credit = 100 hrs & School Community Assessment 2.Two credits = 200 hours & School Community Assessment, Lesson Plan & Case Study 3.Three hours of credit hours & School Community Assessment, Lesson Plan and Case Study & clinical project 300 total hours needed for IL Type 73 certification

Prerequisite Grades  2.75 overall GPA  Applicants may petition admission

NEW!! Tuition  E-Tuition: $560 per graduate credit  No student fees under E-tuition rate

How to begin? 1.Illinois Test of Basic Skills Order 2 copies of ALL transcripts. Keep one copy sealed 3.If course names on pre-requisite list differ, request course descriptions

Required Computer Skills 1.Get an address 2.Use for routine correspondence 3.Use Web Search engines: Word processing Community computer classes 1.Cut and paste 2.Save and save under new name 3.Open new folders 4.Move files

UIC Masters and Doctorate School Nurse Masters Degrees: School Nurse Practitioner Advanced Community Health Practitioner apply.shtml Internship Preceptors can use tuition waivers.

Scholarships Evelyn Kahn Scholarship Chicago Public School Nurses Illinois Association of School Nurses Illinois School Health Association National Association of School Nurses Discover Nursing

How to prepare for the certification classes?

Join professional organization National Association of School Nurses Position papers & publications Online access journal Illinois Association of School Nurses (A pplication for professional organizations is a joint state and national on NASN website).

Attend conferences  Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH )- School Health Days and Critical Issues Conferences  Illinois School Health Association  National Association of School Nurses  Illinois Association of School Nurses

Network with school nurse colleagues  IASN listserv  NASN listservs –Early childhood –Special needs –Administrator  SCHLRN-L school nurse listserv  AllNurses.com School Nursing:

Add to your library National Association of School Nurses. (2005). School nursing scope and standards of practice. Scarborough, ME: NASN.

Add to your library Selekman, J. (2006). School nursing: A comprehensive text. Philadelphia: F. A. Davis.

Add to your library Schwab, N & Gelfman, M. (Eds.) (2001). A resource for school nurses, administrators and attorneys. Lincoln, NE: Authors Choice Press ( Available from Amazon.comwww.iuniverse.com/

Add to your library Schwab, N. C., Ruben, M., Maire, J. A., Gelfman, M. H. B., Bergren, M. D., Mazyck, D. & Hine, B. (2005). Protecting and disclosing student health information: Guidelines for developing school district policies and procedures. Kent, OH: American School Health Association. It can be ordered from or

Add to your library National Association of School Boards of Education. (2003) How schools work & how to work with schools: a primer for professionals who serve children and youth. Go to : Look for NASBE Bookstore link and then Safe and Healthy Schools link. This publication is the first selection. $

Add to your library Melnyk B. & Fineout­Overholt (Eds.) (2005). Evidence-based practice in nursing and health: A guide to best practice Philadelphia: Lippincott

Stay Informed “…… advancing the specialty of school nursing and promoting the professional growth of school nurses”

Preparing to apply 1.Take Illinois Test of Basic Skills: Order 2 copies of ALL transcripts since high school. Leave one copy sealed 3.Request course descriptions from colleges if course names on pre-requisite form differ

Applying 4.Apply using “How to Apply” link: nUse checklist to ensure a complete application:

Important Dates 5.Space limited! Preferred Deadlines: nSummer – March 15th nFall – May 15th nSpring – October 1 th APPLY EARLY – Space is limited 6.Calendar:

Why Apply??  School Nurse Leaders CAN and DO make a difference.  Invest in yourself as a life long learner and invest in your school community!!  Be a role model for the young people in your life.