Transcript SCHOOL NURSING IN MASSACHUSETTS: Recruitment and Retention

SCHOOL NURSING IN
MASSACHUSETTS: Recruitment and
Retention
Anne H. Sheetz
Director of School Health
Services
Massachusetts Department of
Public Health
RECRUITMENT (1)
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Approximately 200 per year
Licensure requirements
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BSN/MSN
MTEL Communications and Literacy Test
2 years relevant experience
School nurse orientation
Recruitment (2)
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Most come from hospitals
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Emergency rooms
Psychiatry
ICUs
Clinics
Many recruited by other school nurses
Many work as substitutes (per diem)
Definitely did not know the challenges of school
health!!!!
Love the autonomy
Hours conducive to families
Retention (1)
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Professional School Nursing in
Massachusetts: Level 1: Basics plus
networking
School Nurse Leaders
Professional Status through the MA
Department of Elementary and Secondary
Education
Retention (2)
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Supports
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Nurse Leaders
DPH-each phone call is an opportunity!
Peers
Regional Consultation Schools
Educational opportunities: Northeastern
University School Health Institute: Onsite
and online programming
https://www.neushi.org/
Retention (3)
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Promotion of networking
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Summer Institute
Regional meetings
Weekly e-mail with updates: conferences, sharing
best practices, opportunities to ask questions of
peers in other schools
Marketing of school nurses in MA
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School nurse recognition day
Local newspapers/cable, etc.
Retention (4)
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Opportunities for professional development
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Massachusetts School Nurse Research Network
Specific programs: diabetes, SBIRT, MCPAP, etc.
Performance improvement
Three credit course at Northeastern
Membership on statewide committees
Testimony at hearings
Other Resources
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DPH School Health Website:
http://www.state.ma.us/dph/fch/schoolhealthindex/ht
m/
School Health Manual:
http://www.maclearinghouse.com/SchoolHealthManu
alSite/schoolhealthmanual.htm
Allergy Guidelines:
www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/allergy.pdf
Northeastern University School Health Institute:
https://www.neushi.org/