Background:
The Professional Standards Board (PSB), a sixteen-member board, develops rules and regulations relating to Delaware public school professional development, licensure and certification requirements. The standard for school nursing (14 DE Admin Code 1582) was under review by the committee.
Issue:
The PSB proposed a change in the educational requirement for a public school nurse as listed in the 14 DE Admin Code 1582 School Nurse. Currently, a public school nurse must have: “Bachelor degree in nursing or school nursing from an accredited college or university.” The proposed change would have permitted a public school nurse to have a bachelor degree in majors other than nursing.
Recommendation:
Delaware School Nurse Association did not support the proposed changes in the education requirements for School Nurses. DSNA strongly recommended that the Professional Standards Board maintain the educational requirement for a public school nurse to have a bachelor degree in nursing or school nursing from an accredited college or university. DSNA firmly believes that the BSN programs include courses in community health (which is school nursing), research (that enables school nurses to provide evidence-based practice), and leadership (school nurses are the health care leaders in school).
Challenge:
The PSB challenged DSNA to explain why a registered nurse needs a BSN to be a school nurse.
Action:
DSNA members and supporters gave public comment at several PSB meetings, wrote letters and emails, and engaged in phone conversations with board members. All efforts were to inform PSB members of the intensity of the health care services needed by students and their families. A BSN is not a gold standard, but the only standard needed by all Delaware students and families.
Results:
At the May 4, 2010 PSB Meeting the members voted 10-2 to maintain the BSN requirement for Delaware public school nurse licensure.
The DSNA leadership team thanks the following supporters:
- Delaware Nurses Association
- Delaware State Education Association
- Department of Education
- Division of Public Health
- Senator Bethany Hall- Long
- University of Delaware
- Wesley College
- Professional Standards Board for giving the Delaware School Nurses the opportunity to share our personal and professional school nurse experiences that enabled the PSB to make an informed decision to maintain the BSN requirement.