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.
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.
Program Overview
Apply by February 1st recommended deadline for Summer 2025 Admission
15-22 credits minimum + 75-hour practicum
Online program with a 75-hour, in-person practicum
At Rutgers School of Nursing, we prepare school nurses to meet the health needs of children enrolled in kindergarten through high school across the state of NJ.
Student testimonial
The School Nurse Certification Program at Rutgers School of Nursing was a truly transformative and rewarding experience. Each course was thoughtfully designed, focusing on distinct aspects of school nursing, which made every class engaging, informative, and directly applicable to real-world practice. I particularly enjoyed my final course and clinical rotations, which were both challenging and deeply fulfilling, allowing me to apply my knowledge in practical settings. The program director, Dr. Grano, provided exceptional support throughout my final class and clinicals, offering guidance, encouragement, and invaluable insights that boosted my confidence. The program’s comprehensive curriculum, combined with hands-on experiences and a supportive faculty, has thoroughly prepared me to excel as a compassionate and skilled school nurse and educator. I highly recommend this program to anyone pursuing a career in school nursing, as it equips graduates with the tools and confidence to make a meaningful impact in the lives of students
Antoinette Resti
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.
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.
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
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