Program Overview

School Nurse License Certificate Program

The School Nurse License Certificate program at Ohio University is designed for students interested in obtaining an ODE Pupil Service License to become a School Nurse in the state of Ohio. This program requires a minimum of 15 credit hours and is available to OHIO graduates.

Program Requirements

To be eligible for the School Nurse License Certificate program, students must:

• Be a Registered Nurse in the state of Ohio
• Hold a baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN)
• Complete an approved School Nurse educational program

Course Requirements

The program consists of the following courses:

1. NRSE 4710 – Introduction to School Nursing (3 credit hours) - Offered Summer Semester
2. NRSE 4741 – Caring for Children with Special Needs in the School Setting (4 credit hours) - Offered Fall Semester
3. NRSE 4740 – School Nurse Clinical (5 credit hours) - Offered Spring Semester, requires 120 hours with a School Nurse
4. Elective: Choose one of the following courses (may or may not be offered online)

• EDSP 2710 – Introduction to Special Education (3 credit hours)
• PSY 2420 – Educational Psychology (3 credit hours)
• CFS 3601 – Human Sexualities (3 credit hours)
• PSY 2720 – Psychology of Personality (3 credit hours)
• PSY 2710 – Abnormal Psychology (3 credit hours)
• PSY 2410 – Child Psychology (3 credit hours)
• EDEC 1600 – Intro to Child Development (3 credit hours)
• HLTH 2040 - Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs (3 credit hours)

Enrollment Steps

To enroll in the School Nurse License Certificate program, students must follow these steps:

• Students currently enrolled in OHIO's RN to BSN program: Submit an Update of Program form for School Nurse Certificate to the School of Nursing
• Students who have a conferred BSN from OHIO: Complete a Re-enrollment form and submit to the Registrar's Office, and submit an Update of Program form for School Nurse Certificate to the School of Nursing
• Students who have a BSN from another institution: Apply to Ohio University as a non-degree program student, submit transcripts from all institutions attended to OHIO Undergraduate Admissions, and send an email to be enrolled in the School Nurse courses

About NRSE 4740: School Nurse Clinical

This course is required for individuals seeking the School Nurse License from the Ohio Department of Education. The NRSE 4740 course requires:

1. Placement with a school nurse preceptor who works with children of the relevant age groups
2. Completion of a total of 120 clinical hours, with 40 hours required within each school-age group (early childhood, middle childhood, and late childhood)
3. Completion of a portfolio and relevant assignments that focus on the standards of nursing practice and correlate with each of the school-aged populations

Note

Certificate programs do not qualify for financial aid. The School Nurse courses are offered once a year and must be taken in sequence. Students who are completing the Ohio University RN to BSN program may take these courses concurrently. Students who hold a nursing baccalaureate degree (BSN) from another institution can also complete the requirements as a non-degree seeking student.