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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 24, 2023 02:26 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Kerry A. Benninghoff |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Alternate Pathways for Nurses to Become a School Nurse |
| Please join me in cosponsoring legislation to establish an alternate pathway for nurses to become qualified as school nurses. Currently, only registered nurses who complete an approved academic program, which can require up to 21 credits, are eligible to become certified as a school nurse in the Commonwealth. The academic classes in the school nurse programs are not generally included in typical nursing programs; so, a nurse who wishes to gain a school nurse certification must complete an additional 2 years of academic coursework. Under this proposal, a licensed registered nurse who has completed an approved training program in nursing in a school enviornment can apply to the Department of Education to become eligible to work as a school nurse. The alternate training program, which would be approved by the Department of Education, would focus on the unique aspects of nursing in a school environment, including child development. By allowing qualified nurses to efficiently gain the expertise needed to become a school nurse, we can take steps to alleviate the school nurse shortage without shortchanging our students. I look forward to workign with you on this important legislation! |