Promoting and protecting student health, school nurses play a vital role in the school setting — they bridge health care with education, optimizing each child’s development and advancing their academic success.
Program Overview
Why Choose the School Nurse Certificate Program at Rutgers?
Grounded in ethical and evidence-based practice, you’ll learn to:
- Coordinate care and manage health services.
- Provide health education.
- Advance school nursing practice standards.
- Advocate for quality student-centered care.
- Collaborate to design systems that allow individuals and communities to develop their full potential.
The nature of this practice is dynamic and comprehensive, and demands a level of skill and education offered in our instructional School Nurse Certificate program.
Our post-bachelor’s School Nurse Certificate program is fully approved by the New Jersey Department of Education, which issues the New Jersey School Nurse Certificate. Upon program completion, you will be eligible to become certified as a school nurse and a teacher of health education in grades K-12.
Candidates for the School Nurse Certificate must:
- Hold current CPR and AED certification.
- Complete training in airway management and in the use of nebulizers and inhalers.
International Student Eligbibility
This program is not open to international students.
*The non-instructional school nurse certificate is not offered in this program.
Student Testimonial
“The School Nurse Certification Program at Rutgers School of Nursing was a transformative experience. The comprehensive curriculum and hands-on clinical experiences prepared me to apply my knowledge confidently in real-world settings. Dr. Grano provided exceptional guidance and support throughout the program, helping me grow as a school nurse and educator. I highly recommend this program to anyone pursuing a career in school nursing.”
Antoinette Resti
Curriculum
Our certificate program is designed to meet the individual needs of our students, who come from different undergraduate backgrounds. Whether you have your BA, BS, or BSN, we will work with you to create a plan of study that’s tailored to your needs.
This online program delivers all coursework online, with the exception of a mandatory 75-hour in-person practicum in a K-12 school setting. Students must complete all coursework and successfully fulfill the practicum requirements to earn their certification. This practicum includes instruction in student teaching in health.
- 15-22 credits
- 75-hour in-person practicum
Curriculum
Foundational/Prerequisite Courses
(For nurses with a BS/BA in another field.)
Equivalent courses earned while obtaining licensure as a registered professional nurse with a BS/BA or BSN degree can be applied to these course requirements. These courses can be undergraduate courses.
705:447 Community and Public Health Nursing (S) (4.00)
705:306 Health Assessment Across the Life Span (F/S/Su) (3.00)
Core Courses
705:470 Foundations in Health Education (Su) (3.00)
705:480 School Health Nursing (F) (6.00)
705:481 School Health Nursing Practicum (S) (3.00)
300:306 Educational Psychology (F/S/Su) (3.00)
(F) Fall Semester (S) Spring Semester (Su) Summer Semester
A minimum of 12 credits must be taken at Rutgers School of Nursing to obtain this certificate; otherwise there is no limit on transferred credits for certification purposes.
Student Testimonial
“Upon completion of the school nurse certification program here at Rutgers, I felt clinically prepared to face the challenging daily operations of a school nurse and professionally qualified to collaborate with other disciplines in the school community”
Barbara Uwuimwonse, ’19
Admissions
Recommended Application Deadline: February 1 – Apply by this date for priority consideration.
Ready to take the next step? Here’s what you need to apply to the School Nurse Certificate program at Rutgers School of Nursing:
Admissions Requirements
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in nursing from a nationally accredited program
- Preferred GPA of 3.0 or higher (the required GPA for an offer of admission may vary depending on the applicant pool)
- Current RN license in NJ
Transcripts
Official transcript(s) may be submitted electronically or through postal mail.
Applicants with prior Rutgers coursework and/or degrees must submit official transcripts.
Submit official transcripts electronically to:
transcripts@admissions.rutgers.edu
Or mail the official transcript to:
University Enrollment Services Admissions Processing
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
65 Davidson Road, Room 308
Piscataway, NJ 08854-8097
RU-info: (732) 445-4636
Fax: (732) 445-8088
Application Tips
- Applicants can view their most current admissions status through the online application system.
- The online application contains an admissions checklist which must be completed in order to be considered for admission to the program.
- Applicants are required to submit admission documents through the online application system (the applicant checklist).
- Once the admissions process begins, applicants with fully completed applications (all supporting documentation received) generally receive their admissions decision within 4-6 weeks.
View Step-By-Step for New Student Application
- Application Type:
- Select “Undergraduate” (NOT “Graduate”).
- Semester of Entry:
- Choose “Summer [Year]” as your entry term.
- Applicant Type:
- Select “Transfer.”
- Enrollment Information:
- For matriculation status, choose:
“I will take courses as a non-degree student (non-matriculating/visiting student).”
- For matriculation status, choose:
- Academic Background:
- Indicate that you have a bachelor’s degree and a current RN license (include your RN license number).
- Enter all educational institutions you’ve attended and upload up-to-date college/university transcripts showing conferred degrees and final grades.
- Program Selection:
- In the Transfer Program Selection section:
- Select “NEW BRUNSWICK – School of Nursing.”
- For Primary Academic Interest, choose “School Nurse Certificate.”
- In the Transfer Program Selection section:
- Submission:
- Complete and submit your application.
- Pay the $70 application fee and ensure your transcripts are uploaded to finalize your application.
Licensure & Clinical Compliance for Nursing Programs
At Rutgers School of Nursing, we are dedicated to preparing ethical and skilled nursing professionals. To be licensed in most states, a criminal history background check is a prerequisite for licensure as a registered professional nurse (RN) per the state’s Board of Nursing. Since eligibility criteria may vary, applicants should check with the Board of Nursing of the state in which they plan to apply for licensure to determine the eligibility criteria.
See our Nursing Licensure Requirements page for more information
All nursing students in clinical courses are required to complete a criminal history background check. Depending on your program, clinical sites may require additional screening, such as drug testing and/or fingerprinting, to ensure compliance with their policies and standards. Please review Clinical Clearance Requirements for individual Rutgers nursing programs. These practices reflect the nursing profession’s commitment to trust, accountability, and community safety. If you have questions or need support, our team is here to help guide you on your journey.
Accessibility Accommodations
Many students have questions about disclosing their disability needs when they apply to Rutgers Health programs. The short answer is you don’t have to disclose if you’re not comfortable sharing that information with us at the application stage. Some examples of accommodations needed may include, but are not limited to, sign language interpreters, interviewing accommodations, or accommodations during visitation. If you need accessibility accommodations during the application or interview process for admissions at Rutgers Health, you can explore your options by contacting the Rutgers Health Office of Disability Services or by calling 973-640-0058.
Rutgers Health doesn’t discriminate against students with disabilities, and students are not required or expected to disclose disabilities when they apply to Rutgers Health Programs, unless accommodations are needed during the application process. You can rest assured that we are committed to creating an equal-access environment and supporting your needs during your time at Rutgers.
Meet the Program Director
Dr. Cathy Grano is an RN with over 24 years of experience in maternal-child, school, and public health nursing. Current and prospective students may reach out to her directly about the program at cgrano@sn.rutgers.edu.