School Nurse Certification

The multi-disciplinary School Nurse Certification (SNC) Program provides the necessary knowledge and practical skills to those who serve the health needs of school-age children and adolescents.

The SNC is a state-based certification and is designed to meet the requirements of the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) for Level I School Nurse Certification. Other states may accept this program for full or partial completion of that state’s requirements. To determine if a state other than Pennsylvania will accept this program, please contact the Department of Education in that state.

Overview

• All courses are offered online or can be taken in combination of in-class and online courses.
• 17 credits
• Can be completed in as little as 3 semesters, and is tailored to the student’s desired course load and preferred time frame.
• meets the requirements of the PDE for Level I School Nurse Certification

Admission Requirements

An applicant to the school nurse certification program holds an unencumbered active professional nursing license with one year of professional experience and a bachelor degree. An undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required for admission. A GPA of 3.0 is required for progression in the program and PA School Nurse Certification.

Prospective and current nursing students must submit criminal background checks that meet the requirements of the nursing program before beginning nursing courses and annually thereafter.  Prospective nursing students with criminal records must disclose their record and schedule a meeting with the Nursing Department Chairperson upon admission to Cedar Crest College.

Courses Required for the School Nurse Certification Program

EDU 559- Curriculum and Instruction for the English Language Learner (3 credits) 
    OR
EDU 516- Multicultural and Diversity Education (3 credits)
SPE 542- The Exceptional Child 3 credits
SPE 544- Adaptations, Modifications and Assistive Technology (3 credits)
SNC 500- Methodology in School Health Services (3 credits)
SNC 505- School Nurse Practicum ( 5 credits /105 clinical hours)

All candidates for the school nurse certificate, both in state and out of state, must take SNC 500 and 505 in sequential order and within one academic year.

The Capstone courses are a pair of courses (SNC 500 + SNC 505) offered in the fall and spring terms of one academic year. They are taken as a set in that academic year and are online. During SNC 505 in the spring term, students complete a practicum experience in school nursing. This experience includes 105 hours of practice in conjunction with a certified school nurse in a school district chosen based on student request and the college’s ability to establish an affiliation with that school district. Students will practice at one primary level but also complete some hours at all other levels.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires the following for certification in PA:

Six credits of college course work in mathematics; three credits in English composition; and three credits in American or British literature. Cedar Crest College requires that the student has earned a grade of C or higher in these courses.

Clinical Requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires all candidates to have a bachelor degree in nursing, or a bachelor degree in another field with RN licensure. All students must provide proof of RN licensure from the state in which they will complete their practicum and to which they are applying for certification.  In addition, the following clinical requirements must be completed prior to the clinical practicum experience:

• Report of Health Evaluation and Medical History
• Immunizations, Titers, and Current PPD
• Drug and Alcohol Screen
• CPR certification- Must be one of the following:
• American Red Cross CPR/AED for Professional Rescuer and Health Care Providers
• American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers
• Proof of Health Insurance
• FBI Criminal History Clearance
• Child Abuse History Clearance
• PA Criminal History Clearance