School Nurse Corps Overview
School Nurse Corps (SNC) is a state-wide program approved and funded by the WA State Legislature. Since its inception in 1999, the program has addressed the limited access to registered nursing services in Washington State schools, particularly smaller, rural schools. Access to a registered nurse promotes student safety, improves attendance, fosters academic achievement, reduces health and educational disparities, and contributes to an engaged and informed citizenry and workforce. School Nurse Corps works to expand access to registered nurses, to support school-based health management in compliance with state and federal laws and regulations, and to promote professional school nursing standards and practice.
Mission
School Nurse Corps, in partnership with schools, families, and communities, improves student health outcomes, safety, and readiness to learn. School Nurse Corps promotes equity by increasing student access to professional registered nurses and expanding a school district’s capacity to provide a safe and healthy learning environment.
Vision
All children receive equitable, full access to school nursing services to be healthy, safe, and successful in school and life.
Services
- NCESD School Nurse Corps supports all school nurses and school administrators in the agency’s four-county service area, offering health services consultation and technical support, quality improvement support, school nurse orientation, mentoring, resources, and professional development opportunities.
- Eligible school districts who elect to participate in School Nurse Corps receive funding to supplement registered nursing hours and commit to SNC program deliverables and school district responsibilities.
- NCESD School Nurse Corps works collaboratively and in partnership with the AESD Network, WA State Department of Health (DOH), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), our three regional Health Districts, and NCESD Student Safety & Well-Being in addressing public health concerns in the TK-12 setting. For topics and resources specific to public health concerns in the school setting, including COVID-related resources, access: Public Health Resources
Directory
Calendar
The school nurse Calendar lists scheduled events of interest to school nurses, including professional development (PD) courses, meetings, and tasks. Click a Calendar entry to access a description and registration information.
Professional Development Enroller
NCESD uses a web service, Professional Development Enroller (pdEnroller) to manage training activities. By creating a pdEnroller account, a school nurse can enroll in listed professional development courses, purchase clock hours, and maintain an electronic education record. Access information about pdEnroller, including account creation, at About pdEnroller.
SNC School Nurses: Contact Sheila Salmon before registering for a course with a registration fee.
Additional PD Listings
In pdEnroller, search event postings by organizer (individual ESDs, All Regions, OSPI, or AESD) or by title. Examples of title search terms: school nurse, nurse, RN, or a specific content title, such as Qmlativ, Skyward, sexual health, nutrition.
Additional PD listings of both scheduled and recorded events are posted on the “Professional Development” tab. The PD document can be viewed, downloaded, or printed.
Calendar Postings
Requests to post events to the school nurse calendar may be sent to Sheila Salmon. All requests are subject to review, and SNC maintains the right to decline requests.
Professional Development
The Professional Development (PD) List for School Nurses includes links to both future scheduled events and past event recordings.
School nurses must create a pdEnroller account to enroll in listed professional development courses. To create an account, see About pdEnroller. SNC School Nurses: Contact Sheila Salmon before registering for a course with a registration fee.
Online Guides
School Nurse Resource Guide
A collection of valuable, frequently requested resources to assist the school nurse. This guide is maintained by School Nurse Corps Nurse Administrators and housed on the ESD 189 website.
Access the School Nurse Resource Guide
Resource Guide Contents
- Section 1 – Overview
- Section 2 – School Nurse Practice
- Section 3 – Individualized Health Care Plans (IHPs) & Emergency Care Plans (ECPs)
- Section 4 – Chronic Conditions Commonly Seen in Schools
- Section 5 – Medications
- Section 6 – Health Screenings
- Section 7 – Immunizations and Communicable Diseases
- Section 8 – Management of Emergencies/Disaster Preparedness
- Section 9 – Health Education & Staff Training Resources
- Section 10 – Legal Issues
- Section 11 – Special Education / 504 / Home Hospital Planning Resources
- Section 12 – Data Collection / Reports / School Nurse Research
- Section 13 – School Nurse Corps Program
- Section 14 – Links and Resources
- Section 15 – Forms and Templates
- Section 16 – Mental Health Resources
Disclaimer: This is not an official publication. It is not endorsed by any agency or organization. The inclusion of links to resources are not intended to endorse any particular products, services or information sources.
Student Health Services Guidebook
A guide to health services management in the TK-12 school environment, with procedural strategies to assist school nurses, health services staff, and school administrators.
The Student Health Services Guidebook is maintained by School Nurse Corps Nurse Administrators and housed on the ESD 105 website.
Please direct any questions or suggestions about these guides to Cathy Meuret at NCESD (509-665-2625).
Resources
NCESD School Nurse Google Drive
The Access-All School Nurses folder on the NCESD Nursing Google Drive houses a wide range of guidelines, resources, and tools. School nurses in the NCESD service area are granted access permission to the folder on verification of their district email address. Contact Sheila Salmon to request folder access.
Multiple subfolders keep resources organized and readily accessible. Four examples: Meetings, Practice Manuals, Skyward/Qmlativ, and Toolkits.
- Meetings – NCESD School Nurse Meeting recordings, presentations, and shared resources.
- Practice Manuals – OSPI, DOH, WA State and national agency manuals and guidelines on health services management and practice in the TK-12 school environment.
- Skyward/Qmlativ – Job aids and resources specific to health services documentation in the electronic Skyward/Qmlativ Student Information System (SIS).
- Toolkits – Collections of authoritative and adaptable resources organized by topic. Toolkit titles include Allergies/Anaphylaxis, Asthma, Behavioral Health, Diabetes, Medication Management, Naloxone, and many more.
NCESD Public Health Resources
NCESD School Nurse Corps works collaboratively and in partnership with the AESD Network, WA State Department of Health (DOH), Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI), regional Health Districts, and NCESD Student Safety & Well-Being in addressing public health concerns in the TK-12 setting, including infectious disease management, environmental health concerns, school-based opioid response, and more. For topics and resources specific to public health concerns in the school setting, including COVID-related resources, access: Public Health Resources
NCESD School Nurse Lending Library
A library of equipment and materials to lend at no charge. Staff training and student screening equipment, manuals, texts, and curriculum. Library materials are available to all school nurses in the NCESD service area free of charge. Contact Sheila Salmon to request a library account.
NCESD YouTube Channel
A library of recorded school nurse meetings and presentations. Subscribe to the School Nurse Corps Youtube channel.
NCESD Newsletters
Keep up-to-date on information that impacts school nursing and health services. Subscribe to receive NCESD electronic news and updates directly to your inbox. Here are some recommended newsletters from the NCESD:
OSPI “Stay Connected” Resources
OSPI distributes news and updates on a variety of student health topics directly via email newsletters and alerts, and/or social media updates, including Twitter, Facebook or Flickr. School nurses are encouraged to subscribe to OSPI Health Services, Healthy Youth Survey, School Safety, and any other topics of interest. For subscription information, see: OSPI Stay Connected.
HEALWA
HEALWA is WA State’s online library for all health practitioners. All nurses in WA State can create a free account to access eJournals, eBooks, toolkits, drug information, and continuing education, including Nursing Reference Center Plus.
Orientation
Getting Started
The NCESD School Nurse Demographic Form provides School Nurse Corps with necessary information to support your success in your school nurse position. Complete and forward the form to: Sheila Salmon
Orientation Opportunities
NCESD Introduction to School Nursing – This course program provides an overview of the school nurse specialty, focusing on state and national practice scope and standards, state laws and regulations, current care guidelines, and resources. This course is intended for nurses new to the school nurse role, those with limited experience working in a school environment, and those who have many years of experience but would like to review the latest presentations and materials. This 2 day course is scheduled in August prior to the start of the school year. Orientation materials are posted in the Access-All School Nurses / Orientation folder.
NCESD Introduction to Skyward/Qmlativ – This course introduces the electronic student information system (SIS), either Skyward or Qmlativ, in use at participant school districts. This 4 hour course is scheduled in August prior to the start of the school year.Skyward/Qmlativ materials are posted in the Access-All School Nurses / Skyward/Qmlaitiv folder.
Modified Orientation Sessions – May be scheduled during the school year for nurses moving into school nursing after the school year begins.
Resource Access
To gain access to the School Nurse Google Drive, please complete the NCESD School Nurse Demographic Form and submit to Sheila Salmon. Note: If you previously saved the folder “Access – All School Nurses” in your quick access you will want to unpin it before pinning the new folder.
Common Accounts
- pdEnroller By creating a NCESD pdEnroller account, a school nurse can enroll in listed professional development courses, purchase clock hours, and maintain an electronic education record, both as a participant and as an instructor. Access information about pdEnroller, including account creation, course cancellation policies, and more, at About pdEnroller.
- National Provider Identifier (NPI) Registered nurses require an NPI identifier to bill Medicaid for nursing services provided to students (e.g., WA HCA School-Based Health Care Services [SBHS]). Apply via the application portal at: National Plan & Provider Enumeration System (NPPES)
- Secure Access Washington (SAW) The Washington State portal supports access to state services, license applications and renewals, and some WA DOH school-based health programs. SAW account application instructions are available at: WABON SAW Account
- WA State Immunization Information System (IIS) School Module School nurses require a Full Access account that supports vaccination view/add/edit as well as roster revisions and printing functions. See WA DOH IIS School Module – Creating Accounts
BEST School Nurse Mentor Program
The NCESD Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) School Nurse Mentor program provides support for novice school nurses. School nurse mentors serve as teachers, coaches, protectors, sounding boards, resources, role models, sponsors, and challengers, helping new school nurses gain confidence s as they aid novice nurses in their development. Mentors assist the novice school nurse in:
- building confidence in health services management skills
- building collegial relationships with school staff and administrators
- building a professional network
- task prioritization
Melanie Wallace, RN, BEST School Nurse Mentor, Wenatchee School District (right), and Amanda Peaslee, RN, Pinnacles Prep school nurse (left) during a mentoring session.
On completion of NCESD Introduction to School Nursing, a novice school nurse is matched with a BEST school nurse mentor, with a goal of a 2-year mentoring relationship.
Resources
- See OSPI Beginning Educator Support Team (BEST) for information on the BEST Mentor program.
- School nurse mentor tools and materials are posted on the school nurse Google Drive in the Access-WA State BEST School Nurse Mentors folder.
School Nurse Competence
Nurses have the responsibility to maintain competence and continue personal and professional growth (American Nurses Association {ANA}, 2010). In the unique role of school nursing, nurses require expertise in health improvement and health management, primary prevention, public health, emergency response, care coordination, and team collaboration to support student health and safety efforts successfully. School nurses have a professional obligation to engage in self-evaluation and to demonstrate professional growth and currency with nursing practice in the setting where nursing practice is provided (National Association of School Nurses [NASN, 2013]). Ongoing professional development is key to maintaining and building competence in the school nurse specialty.
State and national school nurse certifications are encouraged as indicators of preparation and role competence. A professional portfolio is encouraged as a tool to articulate a school nurse’s competence and continuous personal and professional growth journey.
WA State ESA Certification
In Washington State, Educational Staff Associate (ESA) certificates are awarded to many professional roles that, while they do not necessarily involve teaching, play a part in supporting a student’s education. School nurses are eligible for ESA certification, which demonstrates preparation for this unique nursing position. Information on obtaining and maintaining ESA certification is available at: OSPI Educational Staff Associate (ESA) Certificates
WA State Initial ESA Certificate for School Nurses
The Initial ESA Certificate is the first tier full certificate issued for the school nurse role. To obtain this certificate, a school nurse must meet eligibility qualifications and complete a Professional Transitions course, preferably a course designed specifically for school nurses. Approved nursing courses are offered by PLU Center for Continued Nursing Learning, UW School of Nursing, and WSU School of Nursing. For information about approved courses and course contacts, visit Professional Transitions to Public Schools: Initial ESA Certification
WA State Professional ESA Certificate for School Nurses
Nurses who currently hold or held an Initial ESA Certificate can upgrade their certificate to Professional Certification, the second tier in certification, by meeting upgrade requirements. Visit Upgrade from Initial to Professional ESA.
WA State Conditional ESA Certificate for School Nurses
The Conditional ESA Certificate for school nurses is available to school districts for employers that would like to hire a registered nurse to a certificated school nurse position when the nurse does not meet eligibility qualifications for an Initial ESA Certificate. A request for a conditional certificate must be initiated by the school district. For information about conditional certificates, see OSPI Conditional ESA
Maintaining ESA Certification
Registered nurses who hold Initial ESA certification are required to complete 100 hours of professional development, among other requirements, to renew their Initial ESA certificate. See OSPI ESA School Nurse Renewal.
Acceptable units of credit for ESA renewal include clock hours and any that satisfy the continuing education requirements for Washington State RN licensure. See “DOH License Hours as Clock Hours” at OSPI Continuing Education Clock Hours.
National School Nurse Certification
Obtaining national school nurse certification is a mark of professional distinction, reflecting competence and professionalism. The National Certified School Nurse (NCSN) credential is awarded by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN).
Professional Portfolio
School nurses are encouraged to develop and maintain a professional portfolio as a method of validating their personal and professional accomplishments. A portfolio can articulate nursing practice in a way that is meaningful for the school nurse’s supervisor, whether a non-licensed school administrator or a similarly licensed health service professional.
Suggested components include artifacts that align with school nurse scope and standards and school nurse framework principles, including:
- professional mission statement
- resume
- job description
- contract
- annual professional goals status
- self, peer, supervisory evaluations
- certification status
- professional development status
- letters of recommendation/appreciation
- awards
- written feedback from parents, staff, healthcare professionals
- leadership activities
- volunteer activities
Resources
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- American Nurses Association Code of Ethics
- Healthy Students Achieve
- National Association of School Nurses (NASN)
- National Association of School Nurses Scope and Standards of Practice
- National Association of State School Nurse Consultants (NASSNC)
- School Nurse Organization of Washington (SNOW)
- Washington Center for Nursing (WCN)
- Washington State Board Of Nursing (WABON)
- Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA)
- Washington State Professional Educator Standards Board (PESB)
Evaluation
School Nurse Performance Evaluations
Clinical supervision of a nurse is based on knowledge of the laws, regulations, and rules governing nursing practice, nursing practice standards, and nursing performance standards. In a school setting, a registered nurse (RN) or advanced registered nurse practitioner ( ARNP) may be supervised by a similarly-licensed health service professional. However, in some settings, the RN or ARNP is supervised by a non-licensed school administrator. In these situations, the non-licensed administrator may evaluate the nurse on matters other than the practice of nursing, such as terms and conditions of employment and employee performance. Only an RN or ARNP licensed under chapter 18.79 RCW may supervise, direct, or evaluate a licensed nurse working in a school setting with respect to the practice of nursing. (RCW 28A.210.305).
Nurses should evaluate their practice in relationship to professional nursing practice standards, practice guidelines, relevant statutes, and regulations (ANA, 2010).
Professional Portfolio
School nurses are encouraged to develop and maintain a professional portfolio. A portfolio can articulate nursing practice in a way that is meaningful for the school nurse’s supervisor, whether a non-licensed school administrator or a similarly licensed health service professional.
See the Competence tab on this page for professional portfolio recommendations.
Resources
- Supervision and Evaluation of the School Nurse (NASN Position Statement, 2023)
- RCW 28A.210.305 RN or ARNP: Duties Relating to Nursing Care of Students
