The Senate Education Committee has recently advanced legislation to ensure that school nurses in New Jersey meet certain training and education requirements. The bill is intended for Registered Nurses to meet certain eligibility requirements before being able to work in a school. The bill’s primary sponsor is Senator Christopher Bateman.
Below is a summary of the bill:
The NJ State board recently adopted amendments, which reduced credit requirements for a school nurse endorsement from 30 to 21 semester hour credits, and reduced credit requirements for a non-instructional school nurse endorsement from 21 to 15 semester hour credits.
The bill that advanced to legislation codifies (puts laws and rules into system) the previous requirements that a candidate for a school nurse endorsement must complete a minimum of 30 semester hour credits that includes study in subject areas determined by the NJ State board and clinical experience in a school nurse office, in addition to holding a license as a registered nurse and a bachelor’s degree.
The bill also codifies the previous requirement that a candidate for a school nurse endorsement must complete a college-supervised school nurse practicum experience in a school nurse office and a classroom. With regard to non-instructional school nurses, the bill codifies the previous requirements that a candidate for a non-instructional school nurse endorsement must complete a minimum of 21 credits that includes study in subject areas determined by the State board and clinical experience in a school nurse office, in addition to holding a license as a registered nurse and a bachelor’s degree.
In order to become a school nurse in New Jersey, you will have to complete 30 semester hour credits if you are looking for a school nurse endorsement and at least 21 credits if you are looking for a non-instructional school nurse endorsement.
The bill provides minimum requirements for school nurse certification and does not limit the authority of the State board to prescribe additional eligibility requirements for a school nurse endorsement or a school nurse/non-instructional endorsement.