SCHOOL NURSING IN MASSACHUSETTS: Recruitment and Retention

1
SCHOOL NURSING IN MASSACHUSETTS Recruitment and
Retention

• Anne H. Sheetz
• Director of School Health Services
• Massachusetts Department of Public Health

2
RECRUITMENT (1)

• Approximately 200 per year
• Licensure requirements
• BSN/MSN
• MTEL Communications and Literacy Test
• 2 years relevant experience
• School nurse orientation

3
Recruitment (2)

• Most come from hospitals
• 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

4
Retention (1)

• Professional School Nursing in Massachusetts
  Level 1 Basics plus networking
• School Nurse Leaders
• Professional Status through the MA Department of
  Elementary and Secondary Education

5
Retention (2)

• Supports
• 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/

6
Retention (3)

• Promotion of networking
• 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
• School nurse recognition day
• Local newspapers/cable, etc.

7
Retention (4)

• Opportunities for professional development
• 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

8
Other Resources

• DPH School Health Website http//www.state.ma.us
  /dph/fch/schoolhealthindex/htm/
• School Health Manual http//www.maclearinghouse.
  com/SchoolHealthManualSite/schoolhealthmanual.htm
• Allergy Guidelines www.doe.mass.edu/cnp/allergy.
  pdf
• Northeastern University School Health Institute
  
• https//www.neushi.org/