Nursing - School Nurse Certification
Admissions Requirements
The prerequisite requirements are:
Completion of community nursing and nursing research courses in a bachelor's degree program.*
Documented evidence of nursing assessment skills.*
Possession of a B.S. degree in nursing and licensure as a registered nurse in Pennsylvania.*
Nursing work experience - a minimum of 1,000 hours in the last 5 years or completion of a nursing refresher course before enrollment in NURS 502.
Two undergraduate math courses. One can be Statistics 101 and the second one needs to be more the equivalent of the Saint Francis University Math 105 course or above (Modern Elem. Math I). Another alternative is MEd532 Educational Statistics. It is a Master's level course.
Two undergraduate English courses.
Submission of the above-mentioned application materials.
Applicantsmust have attained a minimum 3.0 Q.P.A. at the undergraduate level.
Submit three (3) letters of recommendation as a candidate for the School Nurse Certification program.
*If Prerequisites Requirements No. 1, 2, or 3 are deficient, these requirements may be met with additional coursework and/or an independently prescribed learning program.
All prerequisite requirements must be met prior to enrollment in the first nursing course,NURS 501.
Prerequisites for Enrollment in the Capstone course, NURS 502.
Malpractice insurance is waived as the University covers this ($1 million/$3 million aggregate minimum).
Current CPR certification (for health professionals)
Act 34 Clearance and Act151 Clearances (Criminal History and Child Abuse Clearances)
Physical exam including tuberculin testing and current immunizations
Possession of personal health insurance
Policies While In Program
Each student must maintain a 3.0 QPA
Program Description
The Department of Nursing offers the School Nurse Certification Program in collaboration with the Department of Education at Saint Francis University. This is a 14 credit, graduate level certification program for the Registered Nurse with a B.S.N. degree.
It is state-accredited and state-approved by the Pennsylvania Department ofEducation. It has a practicum in a school setting in the NURS 502 course.The student will need to complete two courses from the “Master of Education” curriculum, and 2 graduate level nursing courses for the certification. The program builds on the bachelor's degree in nursing.
To Apply
Please send the following materials to the Department of Nursing and call the department to request a personal interview.
1) Application Form - Contact the Nursing Department for an Application. Return your completed application form to the Department of Nursing at the address below along with a check for the application fee in the amount of $25.00 (made out toSaint Francis University).
2) Letters of Reference - Request that three professionals write letters of reference speaking to your qualifications for the School Nursing Certification program. The letters should be sent by your references directly to the Department of Nursing.
3) Official Transcript - Request that the college from which you received your undergraduate degree send an official copy of your transcript to the Department of Nursing. Also, request that transcripts be sent from any other colleges attended.
4) Personal Interview - Call the Department of Nursing to arrange for a personal interview.
Mailing address:
Department of Nursing
Saint Francis University
P.O. Box 600
Loretto, PA 15940-0600
Schedule and Registration
Registration for EDUC 511 and EDUC 556 is through the Graduate Education Department and must be done online. Once admitted to the School Nurse Certification Program, please register here.
To registration for NURS 501 and NURS 502, please contact the Department of Nursing.
Class Locations
Loretto
Class Site: The campus of Saint Francis University (Schwab Hall).
The 2 Graduate Education Courses are offered in the evenings.
EDUC 511 Educational Psychology of Learning
EDUC 556 School Law
These courses are offered at least once each summer and at least once during the academic year.
The 2 Nursing Courses are offered once each year.
NURS 501 Health Education and Wellnessin the Fall semester
NURS 502 School Nurse Theory and Practice in the Spring semester
Classes are held in an accelerated format every other Tuesday or Wednesday evening.
Altoona
Class Site: Altoona Career and Technology Center (1500 Fourth Avenue, Altoona, PA 16602)
The 2 Graduate Education Courses are offered in the evenings.
EDUC 511 Educational Psychology of Learning
EDUC 556 School Law
These courses are offered at least once each summer and at least once during the academic year.
Johnstown
Class Site: Greater Johnstown Career and Technology Center
The 2 Graduate Education Courses are offered in the evenings.
EDUC 511 Educational Psychology of Learning
EDUC 556 School Law
These courses are offered at least once each summer and at least once during the academic year
Program of Study
EDUC 511 Educational Psychology of Learning(3 credits)
EDUC 556 School Law(3 credits)
NURS 501 Health Education and Wellness(3 credits)
NURS 502 School Nurse Theory and Practice (5 credits)
Capstone course for the program.
EDUC 511, 556 and NURS 501 must be completed prior to enrollment in NURS 502.
Course Descriptions
EDUC 511 Educational Psychology of Learning (3 credits)
Review of historical antecedents to modern learning theories: review and critical analysis of modern theories; analysis of learning processes; examination of empirically derived principles of learning and their applicability of school learning.
EDUC 556 School Law (3 credits)
Teachers study legal basis of their chosen profession and develop more adequate understanding of federal, state, and local laws applicable to teachers and pupils of public school. Primary emphasis is placed on Pennsylvania statutes and judicial interpretations.
NURS 501 Health Education and Wellness (3 credits)
The student will focus on health education needs, and health promotion-disease prevention programs for children in the school system and their families. The course will identify methods of maximizing wellness of individuals and families. It will identify methods of assessment, development, management, and evaluation of health programs.
NURS 502 School Nurse Theory and Practice (5 credits)
Examines in-depth the role of the school nurse in the school setting. Focuses on the student in relation to the school and community. Identifies the nurse's responsibility for enhancing the student's learning in relation to health promotion/disease prevention, maintenance of health, and maximizing the children's potential and wellness. The nurse will assess health problems of groups of children, and will develop a program to maximize their potential and wellness for all type of classrooms. Cultural and environmental issues specific to the health of the school community will be addressed.
Changes expected in Programs after January 1, 2010
Changes from the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Expect increased credits
Will need to have background in a foreign language so you can deliver health care services and teach health to children K-12 with English as a Second Language.
Will need theoretical and clinical experiences working with special needs children K-12.
Career Opportunities in School Nursing
At the completion of program, the candidate completes the certification application which will be sent to the Pennsylvania Department of Education in Harrisburg. A Certified School Nurse is eligible to apply for certified school nursing positions, and is eligible to substitute as a Certified School Nurse. To become permanently certified, the graduate must complete a total of 24 credits (like the minimum requirement of teachers).
Scholarships/Financial Aid
All students receive the Franciscan Scholarship which is equal to 30% of the tuition.
As other scholarships become available the Department will inform the student.
The Association of School Nurses offers $500 scholarships periodically.
Tuition, Fees and Scholarships
The cost per credit is based on the graduate education rate, with a FranciscanScholarship award equal to 30% of the tuition.
The cost per credit for the 2006-2007 academic year is $661. The cost of a 3-credit course is $1,983. After subtracting the value of the Franciscan Scholarship ($594.90), the final cost of a 3-credit course is $1,388.10. For a 5-credit course, the final cost is $2,313.50.
The cost per credit for the Summer of 2006 is $572. The cost of a 3-credit course is $1716. After subtracting the value of the Franciscan Scholarship ($400.40), the final cost of a 3-credit course is $1201.20.
Please contact the Business Office at Saint Francis University at 472-3006 for the most current cost per credit amounts.
To Contact Us
If you have any questions that weren't answered here, please feel free to contact the Department of Nursing at the following phone, fax and email address:
Phone: 814-472-3027
Fax: 814-472-3849
E-Mail: Nursing@francis.edu