Professional School Nursing in Massachusetts Collaboration between Northeastern University School Health Institute and the Massachusetts Department of Health School Health Unit
Level 1: Basic Orientation Days 1-2: Overview of School Nursing in MA Day 3: Screening Training Vision Hearing BMI Postural Day 4: Medication Administration in MA Schools based on 105 CMR 210.000
Content of First 2 Days: Level 1 (1) History and Overview of School Nursing in MA Communicable Disease and Emergency Planning Mandates and Department of Elementary and Secondary Education School Nurse Licensure, National Certification
Content of First 2 Days: Level 1 (2) Delegation in the School Setting Mental Health Issues and Documentation MASSTART/IHCPs/504s Mandated Reporting 51As/Sex Trafficking Homelessness Current Immunization Regulations and Catch-up Cultural Competency
Plan for Professional School Nurse Practice in Massachusetts: Level 2 (2) Requirement: Complete Level 1 Four full days Online programs Contact hours: A minimum of 28 contact hours for entire program Certificate from both DPH and Northeastern University One year to complete Assist in preparing for the national certification examination
Plan for Professional School Nurse Practice in Massachusetts: Level 2 (3) Day 1: Health Office Management: physical environment, triage, confidentiality, sensory/trauma safe space, electronic health records, staff presentations, health education, collaborator, managing medications, documentation, substitute nurses, IHCPs, social media, resources, etc.
Plan for Professional School Nursing in Massachusetts: Level 2 (4) Day 2: Management of Commonly Seen Issues in the Health Office Focus on “red flags” Assessment and identify level of acuity Decisions to refer Systems approach
Plan for School Nurse Practice in Massachusetts: Level 2 (5) Day 3: Wellness Prevention Module Developing relationships and collaboration Health and academics Marketing the school nurse role Leadership skill identification Program implementation (using a wellness program as an example)
Plan for School Nurse Practice in Massachusetts: Level 2 (6) Day 4: Mental Health School nursing role Prevention, e.g., SBIRT School climate Assessment and triage Frequent flyers School crisis management Planning for re-entry after hospitalization Documentation
Plan for School Nursing Practice in Massachusetts: Level 3 Pre-requisites: Level 1 and 2 Preparation for Supervisor/Director License Preparation for Nurse Leader Role Competencies in both management and leadership at the school district level
Northeastern University School Health Institute For programs and additional resources/ handouts: https://www.neushi.org/