In January 2001, Fairmont State University Department of Nursing began offering West Virginia School Nurse Certification. The program is designed for the BSN prepared registered nurse to conduct and coordinate school health service programs. A certification in School Health Nursing provides a new opportunity for nurses to expand their role and enhance professional growth.
To be eligible for enrollment you must already hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, be a Registered Nurse in West Virginia, and return to school to complete the School Nurse Certification.
The program of study is composed of two courses for a total of seven hours credit. The two courses are the School Nurse Practicum, Nursing 4441 (4 credits) and Introduction to Education, Education 2200 (3 credits). Nursing 4441 has both a theory and a clinical component. The clinical part of the course requires you to work with a preceptor that is a West Virginia Certified School Nurse. Education 2200 provides an overview of the educational process, as well as analysis of the historical, philosophical, and sociological basis for the educational programs, instructional strategies and teaching behaviors in American Education. Both courses are online.
If you are interested in the West Virginia Certified School Nurse Program you should contact the course instructor, Deborah Coen as soon as possible prior to your desired date of enrollment. There is a required fingerprinting/background check and a request form to the West Virginia Department of Education for permission to complete your clinical experience in a West Virginia school setting. These requirements may take up to two months to complete, so begin the process early.
Interested nurses wanting to enroll in the School Nurse Certification Program should complete the Undergraduate Application indicating “Non-degree candidate/School Nurse Certification” as your desired major. You must also send your BSN transcripts to the University to be considered for the certification program.
| Requirements | Courses | Credit Hours |
| Requirement 1 | NURS 4441 School Nurse Practicum | 4 cr |
| Requirement 2 | EDUC 2202 Introduction to Education | 3 cr |
For additional information or questions about the program, please email Deborah Coen at Deborah.Coen@fairmontstate.edu.
