The Villa Maria School, in cooperation with the School of Education, offers a post baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) certificate for school nursing. The school nurse certificate program is open to registered nurses who have earned a BSN. Students who are currently enrolled in Gannon University's Villa Maria School of Nursing's BSN program may take the courses for the certificate during their undergraduate program, but do not qualify for certification until licensed as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

The purpose of this post-BSN certificate is to prepare nurses to meet the health care needs of children of all ages in diverse school settings. Health promotion, risk reduction, and health education are emphasized. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

1. Licensed Registered Nurse
   1. Completed application to Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing's School Nurse Certificate Program.
   2. Proof of licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
      1. Submit photocopy of RN license
   3. Currently hold a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate course work.
      1. Submit official BSN transcript

2. Current BSN student, unlicensed:
   1. Student with senior standing, currently enrolled in Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing's BSN program
   2. Current overall QPA of 3.0 or higher
      1. Submit request to BSN Program director
      2. Submit copy of current transcript

3. Current RN to BSN or RN to MSN student, licensed registered nurse
   1. Student is currently enrolled in Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing's BSN-RNBS or ND-RNMSN major
   2. Current overall QPA of 3.0 or higher
      1. Submit request to BSN Program director
      2. Submit copy of current transcript
   3. Proof of licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
      1. Submit photocopy of RN license

Program and Certification Requirements:

1. Admission, progression and graduation requirements from the Department of Education (Chapter 354) for School Nurse Certification require a 3.0 QPA for certification. Overall GPA of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate and certificate course work.

2. 5 credits of NURS 428 School Nursing which contains 100 hours of supervised clinical experience with a certified school nurse.
   1. For admission to NURS 428 School Nursing the following are required 320
      1. Holds a BSN or is a senior student in the BSN program.*
      2. Proof of valid CPR certification
      3. Proof of current PPD ( tuberculin testing)
      4. Proof of completed health records
      5. Proof of Act 33 and 34 clearances (child abuse and criminal)

3. Mathematics requirement
   1. 6 credit hours of college level Mathematics are required. Three credits may be awarded for the undergraduate statistics course.

4. English requirement
   1. 6 credits hours of college level English as defined below:
      1. 3 credit hours of college level English composition
      2. 3 credit hours of college level English literature

5. Support course requirement
   1. 3 credit hours of SPED 201 Children with Exceptional Needs
   2. 3 credit hours of EDCR 414 Sociology of Education

6. Proof of Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a registered nurse exempts the student from taking the PRAXIS I exam.

* Gannon University students enrolled in the BSN-NURS or BSN-RNBS or BSN-RNMS programs may be eligible to pursue this certificate. Students must declare their intent to obtain the certification to the BSN program director and complete appropriate paperwork.
Upon completion of the BSN program and proof of licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the student must file a certification approval form with the School of Nursing to initiate the formal School Nurse Certification Process.

 
Permanent Certification