Important Information
Link to the new information from the NJDOE about sports physicals, health updates and the cardiac module requirements:
Chapter 16 Guidelines to Support Student Development:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/code/current/title6a/chap16.pdf
EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT 9/5/12
Link to the report:
http://www.state.nj.us/education/reform/ETTFFinalReport.pdf
CONCERNS FOR SCHOOL NURSES
PAGES 39 & 40
Epinephrine and care of students with diabetes: The short of it is … schools should be able to set their own policies and parents should be authorized to delegate epinephrine admin and diabetic care to relatives or trained staff…
PAGE 78 (6A:16-2.1(b) Nursing Services Plan
Recommendation- removes the requirement for NSP to be presented at a regular BOE meeting, consult with school nurse, or submit to county superintendent. Districts are still required to adopt the NSP and maintain it on file for Department review as part of ‘routine school district oversight’.
(6A:16-2.2(h) 1ii (1) Pre-Participation Sports Physical
Removal of the language "on a form approved by the Commissioner of Education" Allows districts the flexibility to accept a generic form from a physician or a state established form such as the NJSIAA to develop a standard form.
(6A:2.2(h) 1ii (3) Pre-Participation Physical Forms
New language – "an incomplete form shall be returned to the student’s medical home ‘unless the school nurse can certify missing information can be obtained from screenings completed by the school nurse or physician within 365 days of the medical exam’.
PAGE 80
NJAC 6A: 16-2.3[(d)] (c) 3-Health Services Personnel
Language clarified (list of services permitted for– non-certified nurse to "is limited to providing services only as permitted under the non-certified nurse’s license issued by the state board of nursing and other valid certifications and trainings"
NJAC 16-2.4(B) Required Student Health Records
Recommendation – to remove the requirement for student health records to be on a form approved by the Commissioner.
EDUCATION TRANSFORMATION TASK FORCE FINAL REPORT 9/5/12
PAGE 116-118 Professional Licensure Standards
NJAC 6A:9-13.3 (b) & (c)
Recommendation: "
School Nurse instructional endorsement reduced to 12 semester units in: (1)Physical & health assessment; (2) school law & requirements pertinent to the duties of the certified school nurse; (3) health needs of special education and learning disabled children including autism; and (4) Methods of teaching health for grades preschool through 12 including curriculum development."
"During the initial four years of employment under this endorsement holder must engage in professional development on the following topics (1) fundamentals of substance abuse and dependency; (2) human growth & development; (3) public health including communicable disease control; (4) Cultural issues; and (5) guidance and counseling."
This recommendation contends that
"The Department and State Board should eliminate some of the 11 required areas of study for school nurses as they do not reflect the minor differences between serving students and the general population. Currently the certifications require registered nurses to complete 11 areas of study in addition to their extensive qualifications necessary to work in most other areas of nursing. The requirements unnecessarily limit the qualified applicant pool and hinder school leaders from filling the critical positions. For instance a nurse who has worked for 20 years with a large and diverse group of patients will bring critical real-world medical understandings, although he or she may lack the 11 areas of study. This practical experience should be valued and the school nursing candidates should be relieved of many of the course requirements. While some differences exist between serving student populations and the general public, 30 additional credits are overly prohibitive requirements for school nurse candidates"
NJAC 6A: 13.4 Non-instructional School Nurse Certificate
Recommendation: (Paraphrased) to reduce the areas of study to 9 credits for Non-instructional School nurse candidates to include all of the elements recommended for the instructional endorsement with the exception of the methods course.
Respectfully Submitted;
Lorraine M. Chewey
http://www.state.nj.us/education/sboe/ This is the link for the NJ State BOE if you are interested. This is the group that will deal with the proposed regulatory changes. You can provide written testimony at any time.
MCREA Aid to the Young Program
The Middlesex County Retired Educators Association (MCREA) is a very active organization of over 1000 members. The membership includes classroom teachers, school nurses, teacher aides, secretaries, administrators, and other employees of Middlesex County Boards of Education. The Middlesex County Retired Educators Association began their Aid to the Young program in 1999. The purpose of this committee is to identify families and/or students in Middlesex County schools who need some financial assistance. Over the years, the committee has provided eye exams and eyeglasses; financial assistance with hearing aids and medication costs; warm clothing and sneakers for students of Middlesex County.
MCREA started with a pilot program at Bowne-Munro School in East Brunswick and over the years have served students families in Colonia, Dunellen, Edison, Highland Park, Jamesburg, Lawrence Harbor, Milltown, South Brunswick and many other county communities.
As retired educators, we are acutely aware of how the lack of basic necessities can impact the learning process. Our goal is to continue to provide some measure of relief for these children by providing financial help to improve educational outcomes. School nurses are integral to the success of the program as they assist MCREA in administering the program and determining financial need and special circumstance associated with the student’s needs . Contact Dolores Susik or Leah Kinnear who are retired school nurses for additional information or to request assistance for a student attending your school.