Program Overview

School Nurse Services Credential Program

The School Nurse Services Credential Program at San Francisco State University is designed to provide registered nurses with the specialized knowledge and training required to practice as school nurses in California. The program is approved by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing and is offered through the School of Nursing under the College of Professional & Global Education and the Graduate College of Education.

Program Overview

The program is aligned with the School of Nursing philosophy, mission, and commitments to student-centered care, student safety, teamwork and collaboration, evidence-based anti-racist practice, quality improvement, informatics, leadership, and lifelong learning. Credential candidates will have the opportunity to collaborate with other disciplines to provide compassionate and ethical care along the health-illness continuum to positively influence student health outcomes and academic success.

Program Learning Outcomes

The program learning outcomes include:

1. Analyzing organizational and systems leadership skills to promote quality and safe health care.
2. Demonstrating advanced depth and breadth of nursing and related sciences and integrating this knowledge into practice.
3. Integrating clinical prevention and population health concepts in the design and delivery of health care.
4. Utilizing the principles of evidence-based practice to organize, implement, and evaluate practice.
5. Integrating meaningful data from nursing, computer, communication, and information sciences to coordinate and improve care.
6. Demonstrating understanding of how school-age youth may be impacted by health disparities perpetuated by implicit bias, educational policies, and school health practices.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program must:

1. Hold a California School Nurse Services Preliminary Credential
2. Be currently working as a School Nurse in California
3. Have a 3.0 GPA or better in their earned undergraduate degree or the last 60-semester (90-quarter) units completed, or have earned a post-baccalaureate degree

Credentialing

Admission does not guarantee that students will obtain a clear credential. Credentialing requirements are set by agencies that are not controlled by or affiliated with CSU and requirements can change at any time. Successful completion of the program with formal recommendation of SF State, in addition to the three requirements listed below, will enable the credential candidate to apply for the School Nurse Services Clear Credential, processed through SF State's Graduate College of Education:

1. Verify possession of a Preliminary School Nurse Services Credential
2. Verify possession of a valid Registered Nurse License issued by the State of California
3. Complete two years of successful experience as a school nurse

Program Requirements

The School Nurse Services Credential Program requires 24 units of coursework, including:

• NURS 850: Seminar in Specialized Nursing Practice: School Nursing I (4 units)
• NURS 851: Seminar in Specialized Nursing Practice: School Nursing II (4 units)
• NURS 852: Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment (3 units)
• NURS 853: Vision Screening (1 unit)
• NURS 854: Immunizations and the Role of the School Nurse (2 units)
• NURS 855: School Health Policy and Leadership (4 units)
• NURS 856: Practicum in Specialized Nursing Processes: School Nursing (4 units)
• Audiometry – Taken outside SF State (2 units)

Program Roadmap

The program roadmap is as follows: First Semester:

• NURS 850: Seminar in Specialized Nursing Practice: School Nursing I (4 units)
• NURS 852: Advanced Pediatric Health Assessment (3 units)
• NURS 853: Vision Screening (1 unit)
• NURS 854: Immunizations and the Role of the School Nurse (2 units)
• Audiometry – Taken outside SF State (2 units) Total Units: 12 Second Semester:
• NURS 851: Seminar in Specialized Nursing Practice: School Nursing II (4 units)
• NURS 855: School Health Policy and Leadership (4 units)
• NURS 856: Practicum in Specialized Nursing Processes: School Nursing (4 units) Total Units: 12 Total Program Units: 24