SCHOOL NURSING: ENAHANCING THE POTENTIAL TO LEARN

Chart, Mar/Apr 2004 by Faist, Anne

School district budget constraints often lead to cutbacks in staff. Since school law does not mandate certified school nurses, they may be the first position to be eliminated. Few educators, administrators, families, or even nurses in other fields realize the value of school nurses. It is the task of school nurses to educate the public, to share their expertise with legislators, to collaborate with others in the health community and to publish drawn from their work in schools. Communicating those special skills that can enhance a child's ability to learn is the school nurse's best job protection.

To acquire an Illinois State Board of Education, type 73 Certificate for school nursing, a candidate must be a registered nurse with a bachelor degree. Certain courses in nursing and education must be completed and an internship through selected Illinois Universities is required. Following completion of requirements, the candidate must pass a general studies exam and a school nurse specialty exam given by the State Board. After completion of all requirements, the nurse applies to the State Board of Education for a type 73 certificate with a school nurse endorsement. This state certification ensures that the school nurse possesses the specific knowledge and education needed to enhance the health, safety and learning of all students (Costante2001).

REFERENCES

Wolfe, L (2000). School nursing: The next hundred years.

The Journal of School

Nursing, 18 (5), 250

Schumacher, C (2000). Lina Rogers: A pioneer in School Nursing.

The Journal of School Nursing, 18 (5), 247-249.

Hootman, J. & Carpenito, L (2000). Nursing Assessment of School Age Youth:

Using the Nursing Process. A series of self-study modules, National Association of School Nurses, (1), iii.

Costante, C(2001). State

Certification for School Nurses. The Journal of School Nursing, (18)2, 111.

Submitted by: Anne Faist, RN