Thank you for
your interest in School Nursing options at Wright State University. State
requirements licensure in Ohio make it important that you be
prepared with the credentials needed to practice as a school nurse. Our program
at Wright State University has been designed with you in mind. Classes are
offered at times to accommodate you as a learner. Feedback from students
indicates that our certificate program gets them ready to assume the
responsibilities of school nursing licensure, and students in our Master of
Science degree program enjoy classes that are offered in the evening throughout
the year as well as on-line. We have had over 150 individuals complete our
school nurse licensure program in the past few years. December 2001 marked the
date of our first graduation for students receiving Master of Science degree in
Nursing (M.S.) in the School Nurse concentration in the College of Nursing and
Health.
Wright State
University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health recognizes the importance
of the health of children in schools in Ohio and offers both a certificate and a
Master of Science degree in Nursing with a concentration in School Nursing. Some
coursework from the certificate-only program can be applied toward the Master of
Science degree. You can read about the requirements for the master's degree
program and the certificate program in the following paragraphs.
MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING
WITH A CONCENTRATION IN SCHOOL NURSING
The Master of
Science Degree in Nursing with a concentration in School Nursing is a 54.5
graduate credit hour program, including classroom and clinical experiences. The
curriculum includes core courses, which build a foundation for master's level
nursing practice, and specialty courses. Nurses who complete the M.S. program
will meet the requirements for Ohio's school nurse licensure. Applications are
accepted on a year round basis. Students wanting to be in online
core graduate courses must meet with their faculty advisor for approval at the start of their program study.
Requirements
for admission:
Baccalaureate
degree in nursing from an NLN or AACN accredited institution
-
A copy of
current Ohio RN License submitted with application
-
Undergraduate
GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
-
A course in
statistics within the past 5 years
Both core courses
and specialty courses are included in the Master of Science Program. The core
courses build a foundation for master level nursing practice and are taken by
all students in the CONH master's programs.
Core Courses
NUR 707 Research Design & Methods 4 credits
NUR 708 Theoretical Foundations Nursing 4 credits
NUR 750 Health Policy, Politics & Issues 3 credits
NUR 751 Health & Well-Being 2 credits
NUR 755 Informatics in Health Care 2 credits
NUR 756 Concepts of Nursing Leadership 3 credits
NUR 788 or 798 or 799 Thesis/Research Applications/Scholarly Project or Research
Experience 3 credits
STT 591 Advanced Statistical Methods for Nursing Research 0.5 credits (for
thesis option only)
School Nurse
Concentration Courses
NUR 640 School Nursing* 5 credits
NUR 716 Advanced Practice of Family Nursing 2 credits
NUR 744 School Nurse Practicum 6 credits
NUR 763 Epidemiology 2 credits
NUR 765 Child/Adol Pathophysiology or NUR 761 Advanced Pathophysiology 3 credits
NUR 766 Child/Adol Assessment* or NUR 762 Advanced Health Assessment* 3 credits
NUR 745 Advances in School Nursing 2 credits or NUR 770 Community/Public Health
Nursing I (lecture only) 2 credits
HPR 640 The Role of the Nurse in Schools* 5 credits
HPR 643 Practicum in School Nursing* 5 credits
*These courses
meet requirements for both the certificate and MS program.
Directions for
Applying to the School Nursing Master's Program: You must complete the entire
"Application for Admission to a Graduate Status" from the School of Graduate
Studies accompanied by a $25 non refundable one-time fee. Indicate the following
under "Academic Information":
1. Admission status: Degree
2. Desired degree: M.S.
3. Selected program: M.S. in Nursing Concentration in School Nursing
4. Major/Concentration: School Nurse 494
5. A Statement of Objectives should consist of at least a 250-word essay
clarifying your career goals.
Submit all
materials including official transcripts to:
Wright State University
School of Graduate Studies
E344 Student Union
Dayton, OH 45435
SCHOOL NURSE CERTIFICATE
PROGRAM
The program is
offered during the summer in an intensive format. Classes use both lecture, on-line and seminar format.
The School Nurse
Certificate Program is a 22 graduate credit hour non-degree program that is a
collaborative offering between the College of Nursing and Health and the College
of Education and Human Services leading to endorsement for licensure as a school
nurse in Ohio. Applications are due to the School of Graduate Studies before
beginning your course work. Applications received after March 30th for the first
time will be reviewed on a space available basis.
Requirements
for admission:
-
Baccalaureate
degree from an accredited college. The degree does not need to be in
nursing.
-
A copy of
current Ohio RN License submitted with application.
-
Evidence of
courses in community health, sociology, family, growth & development on your
transcript.
-
Undergraduate
grade point average (GPA) of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale.
Directions for
Applying to the School Nursing Certificate Program: You must complete the entire
"Application for Admission to a Graduate Status" from the School of Graduate
Studies accompanied by a $25 non refundable one-time fee. Click here to request
an application form. Indicate the following under "Academic Information":
1. Admission status: Certification
2. Desired degree: leave blank
3. Selected program: Certification Candidate
4. Major/Concentration: School Nurse 242
5. A Statement of Objectives which is a brief essay clarifying your career
goals.
Submit all
materials including official transcripts to:
Wright State University
School of Graduate Studies
E344 Student Union
Dayton, OH 45435
Class Information
for 2008
NUR 762 (3 credits) Spring 2008, Fall 2008
NUR 766 (3 credits) Winter 2008
Summer Quarter
2008
NUR 640 (5 credits)
June 16 - July 3
NUR 642 (2 credits)
June 16 - July 3
Time: 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m
University Hall
HPR 640
July 7 - July 18
Time: 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.
Nutter Center
Fall classes: The
NUR 643/HPR 643 School Nurse Practicum Seminars are planned to be held weekly
on-line in the late afternoon-early evenings during Fall Quarter and on selected
Saturdays on campus.
Contact
Information
We are located in
the College of Nursing and Health at Wright State University in University Hall.
Directions to WSU can be found at
http://www.wright.edu/aboutwsu/maps/index.html
Please call the
program secretary at 937-775-2576 for additional information or with updated
information for the mailing list.
Program
Faculty Contact Information:
Dr. Susan Praeger, APRN, BC, FNASN, Professor
College of Nursing & Health
128 University Hall
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.
Dayton, OH 45435
susan.praeger@wright.edu
937-775-2594
Ms. Becky Bower, MS, ATC/L
Education Coordinator
College of Education & Human Services
316 E. J. Nutter Center
Wright State University
3640 Colonel Glenn Hwy.
Dayton, OH 45435
rebekah.bower@wright.edu
937-775-3259
FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
How much does
this program cost?
Refer to the
http://www.wright.edu website for current fees. In addition to the application
fee, you need to plan for tuition fees, course packets and texts. If you are
already enrolled in a graduate program at W.S.U., you do not need to send an
additional application fee. Tuition rates vary depending on whether you are
enrolled full time (11 - 18 hours) or part time (less than 11 hours). The fees
and tuition may change by the time you enroll. You are responsible for the fee
that is in effect for the quarter you take classes. Students enrolled for less
than 11 hours are currently assessed a fee based on quarter hour credits.
What if I want
to live on or near campus during summer course time?
Call the Office
of Residence Services at (937) 775-4172 between Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00
p.m. or e-mail shana.hoskins@wright.edu. Some students stay on campus in dorms
or campus apartments that are available in the summer. Area motels and residence
hotels are adjacent to the campus as well.
Do I need to
have a computer to attend this program?
You will need to
have access to a computer, but you do not need to own a computer. You will need
to use a computer for class work, communication and assignments. Some course
material will be available on the Internet prior to the start of summer classes.
This will allow you to prepare in advance for your coursework. The campus has
24-hour accessible computer labs for enrolled students. Campus mail and web
based courses are available through the Internet. Please check your local
resources, such as schools and libraries if you do not have a computer and
internet access at home. Computer use is an important part of the program. You
can call the Help Desk in the Computing and Telecommunications Services
(937-775-4827) or visit their web site at http://www.cats.wright.edu for
information about computing services on campus. If you are planning on enrolling
in web-based courses please visit http://www.wright.edu/dl for computer
requirements.
Are any of the
courses designed for distance learning?
NUR 640 and NUR
642 are designed as web-enhanced
courses during the summer. This means that lectures, tests and assignments may be on-line as part of the summer
intensive program. There are selected times for discussion and group work in the
classroom setting and a few classroom lectures. For those students not taking a 700 level assessment course, NUR 642 is available in the summer as an intensive on-line course with audio streamed lectures, case discussion and exams. The fall practicum requires
participation in on-line seminars. There may also be class assignments that will
be done through the Internet. Almost all of the courses in the Master of Science
degree program will be available as web-based courses on a space available basis
throughout the academic year except for NUR 640, NUR 770, and HPR 640.
Will I be able
to plan a vacation during the summer program?
The course work
is very intense during summer and fall. It was designed this way based on
previous student feedback. You are expected to attend all class sessions.
Earning graduate credit entails reading and preparation outside of the classroom
experience. You will need to plan your summer schedule so that you have adequate
time for study, attending classes, preparing assignments, studying for
examinations and rest. Over the years, we have found that students who work,
travel or experience additional family responsibilities during the time when
classes are in session tend to have lower grades and experience more stress than
students who are able to focus on their course work.
If I am
already a school nurse, can I get credit for my experience?
If you have had
graduate courses you can petition to have us review your transcripts to see if
your coursework meets our program requirements. A graduate course in health
assessment can be used to meet the NUR 642 requirement. All students, regardless
of experience, are required to enroll in a supervised practicum. Your previous
work experience as a school nurse will not be counted as graduate credit.
What courses
do I need to take if I want to get my master's degree with a concentration in
school nursing, but first I'd like to get my school nurse license?
Courses required
for the Master of Science degree with a concentration in school nursing include
a 700-level health assessment course and a 700-level practicum course instead of
NUR 642 and NUR 643. If you want to complete all requirements for state
licensure before you enroll in the master's degree program, you can take the
700-level assessment course in lieu of NUR 642. However, you cannot take the
700-level practicum course until most of your master's degree course work
requirements are met. If you decide to complete all of the requirements for
licensure first, you will need to enroll in NUR 744, a 6 credit school nurse
practicum at the end of your master's program. School of Graduate Studies
policies guide the timing and acceptance of credits completed at other
universities.
Why would I
want to pursue a Master of Science degree with a concentration in school
nursing?
Standards for
professional licensure of personnel in schools currently lean toward preparation
at the master's degree. In order to be an equal member of the educational team,
it is important that you be prepared with similar credentials. In addition to
the professional education and recognition that you gain, many school districts
determine employee compensation based on educational preparation. This could
mean higher salary and retirement benefits for you.
Will
completion of the school nurse certificate program mean that I am a school nurse
in Ohio?
No. When you
complete the certificate program you will be eligible for Ohio Department of
Education licensure as a school nurse. You will be assisted in completing the
required paperwork for licensure and your application will be endorsed. The
certificate from Wright State University is not the same as the license from the
Ohio Department of Education. The certificate indicates that you have completed
an approved program of study. The license indicates approval to practice by a
regulatory agency.
Are there
additional costs that I should anticipate?
When planning for
the summer and fall courses, you need to plan on fees associated with course
materials, such as texts and printing course handouts. There is a parking fee
assessed for using campus parking facilities. Meals can be purchased on-campus
or at near-by restaurants or stores. A student lounge, vending machines and a
microwave oven are available near the classroom. Some students need to
anticipate the impact of the loss of potential income while in school during the
summer. Others need to plan for the additional expense of childcare in the
summer. Each student's financial needs are individual and must be planned for
accordingly. All students will be assed a one=time TK20 fee of $100 upon admission to the program. See the CEHS web site for more information.
Are there
scholarships available for students?
There are several
sources of information that are available to students seeking financial aid. You
can contact the WSU Office of Financial Aid to determine your eligibility for
support. You may be eligible for University scholarships, which are highly
competitive, if you are enrolled in the Master of Science degree program.
Fellowships and graduate assistantships may be available to students enrolled in
the master's degree program. Contact the Office of Student Affairs for more
information. Your professional organizations, especially the Ohio Association of
School Nurses, may have scholarship money available to members.
Do I have to
do a practicum if I am an experienced school nurse?
Yes. All students
complete 10-11 quarter credit hours of practicum. Faculty from WSU make site
visits to supervise and evaluate your school nursing performance and offer
suggestions for your practice and further professional growth. The seminar gives
students the opportunity to dialogue with other school nurses regarding problems
encountered in the school setting. These learning experiences also give you an
opportunity to see how school nurses in other districts confront similar
problems with different approaches and ideas.
How much time
am I expected to spend in the practicum?
You are expected
to be in the school setting from Monday through Friday during normal school
operating hours. This is at least a 10 week full-time practicum or a minimum of
300 practicum hours. The practicum begins and ends with Wright State
University's fall quarter which ends before Thanksgiving. Some students extend
the practicum over several quarters. We are willing to work with you to
accommodate variations in this schedule, but a written plan must be approved
prior to the start of the practicum.
Can the
courses in the 22-credit hour certificate program be applied to a nurse
practitioner degree at W.S.U.?
None of the
courses in our basic certificate program meet the program requirements for a
nurse practitioner degree at W.S.U. However, the majority of courses in the
Master of Science degree with a concentration in school nursing meet the core
course program requirements for other majors in the college, including nurse
practitioner courses. Please refer to specific program requirements in the
College of Nursing and Health, or consult with an advisor in the Office of
Student Affairs or contact susan.praeger@wright.edu for additional information.
A matrix is available to help you identify what courses are needed if you decide
to pursue a second concentration in the Master of Science degree program. Please
review this with a faculty advisor to determine a plan for your program of
study.
If I am
enrolled in another school nurse preparation program, how can I take some of
your courses at WSU?
Students
interested in taking any graduate courses need to be accepted into the School of
Graduate Studies at WSU. Application information is available at the website
listed below. You must meet the same requirements as other students for
enrolling in the courses. Students admitted to degree or certificate programs in
the College of Nursing and Health are given preference for enrollment in courses
when space availability is limited. In other words, you will be able to enroll
in courses on a space available basis as long as you meet the course
prerequisites and requirements for admission. Contact the instructor for
permission.
Click
here to request an application form.
To apply online: www.applyweb.com/aw?wrightg
To apply by
mail: www.wright.edu/sogs/downloadforms.html
