Registered nurses who wish to pursue a career as a school nurse in Delaware will need to learn about state requirements and the certification process.
Direct questions to:
Ann Covey
Delaware Department of Education
Ann.Covey@doe.k12.de.us
A School Nurse Certification in Basic School Nursing
What is the: Comprehensive Induction Program (CIP)
Program Introduction
Supporting Delaware’s new school nurses is essential to ensuring all of Delaware’s
students receive quality school nursing care for health and learning. The purpose of
the Comprehensive Induction Program is to provide new school nurses with the
support necessary to become familiar with school and district policies, hone their
professional skills, help them evaluate and reflect on their own professional
performance, and develop an individualized growth plan to improve their
effectiveness. Only a school nurse with a continuing license may coach another
school nurse.
Delaware provides a two (2) year coaching program and requires two additional years of
continuing education for nurses new to the profession.
The CIP for New School Nurses strives to meet the following goals:
1. Provide the new nurse with a Coach during the first two years as a school nurse. The
Coach will assist the new school nurse in becoming familiar with school, district, and
state resources, procedures, and policies.
2. Assure an alignment between the components of the Delaware Professional Appraisal
System II (DPAS), the NASN Framework and the School Nursing Scope and Standards
of Practice.
3. Build reflective practitioners who can review their present level of professional
performance and use that data to set goals for future professional development
What is the: 90-Clock Hour School Nurse Certification Program (SNCP)
Program Introduction
The Delaware School Nurse Certification Program is offered to newly employed
Delaware school nurses. Nurses working in a Delaware public or charter school are
required to complete the 90-hour training to meet the certificate requirements per 14 DE
Administrative Code 1582 School Nurse.
The Delaware Department of Education (DDOE), in collaboration with many Delaware
School nurses and other community partners, developed the Delaware School Nurse
Certification Program based on the National Association of School Nurses, Framework
for 21st Century School Nursing Practice. This 90-clock hour program is made up of
components based on the 5 principles of the Framework. It provides information,
resources and experiences that will enable the new school nurse to understand school
nursing services provided in Delaware schools, and transition into the specialty field of
school nursing. These are self-paced modules in an online format available through a
program called Schoology. This program combined with the Comprehensive Induction
for New School Nurses will offer in-depth information along with readings, and
assignments.
National Certified School Nurse (NCSN)
School nurses can earn the NCSN mark of distinction by passing the certification exam offered by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN).
Candidates must have a Bachelor degree and be employed in school nursing or an area related to school health. NBCSN recommends three years of experience in school nursing.
The exam is offered twice a year at a testing center. The application fee is $360. The Delaware School Nurse Association sponsors a drawing at the annual fall dinner/conference. The 6% stipend for national certification is currently available to school nurses who were certified before December 2008, but we are hopeful that this incentive will be offered again when the state budget crisis is resolved.