How to Become a Substitute School Nurse in New Jersey

Are you passionate about keeping children healthy and safe while they learn? Consider becoming a substitute school nurse! As a school nurse you’ll have the opportunity to make a positive impact on children’s lives by providing essential health services. As a substitute school nurse you have the opportunity to work in the health office or one to one. In New Jersey there are two categories in school nursing, a Certified School Nurse and a Substitute School Nurse. If you’re considering taking the leap towards becoming a school nurse but not sure how, keep reading this blog to see how to become a substitute school nurse in New Jersey.

Certified School Nurse vs Substitute School Nurse: What’s the difference?

There are slight differences between being a CSN and a Sub School Nurse. The first major difference between the two is the education level. While both require having a valid NJ RN license, CSN’s require additional education after receiving a BSN. This school nurse certification requirement was introduced back in 1947. In 1972, New Jersey added the requirement of baccalaureate preparation in addition to the certification. There are numerous universities and colleges in NJ that offer the school nurse certification program.

Substitute school nurses are not required to obtain a school nurse certification. They are however required to obtain a substitute certification. It’s a fairly easy and short process to receive a substitute certification. The nurse will need to go through a background check, get fingerprinted by the New Jersey Department of Education, and apply for the substitute credential online.

When it comes to the difference in responsibilities, CSN’s are eligible to teach in public schools in grades preschool – 12^th. There are two School Nurse Certification programs, the instructional and the non-instructional. The instructional school nurse certification program allows the nurse to teach in areas related to health. Substitute school nurses are not eligible to teach. Other than those two major differences, both CSN’s and Substitute School Nurses both perform nursing services.

How to Obtain a Substitute Certificate in New Jersey?

Although it isn’t required to take additional education courses and obtain a CSN in order to be a substitute school nurse in New Jersey, it is required to obtain a substitute certification. There are 3 types of substitute certification levels. Below are the steps on how to become a substitute school nurse in New Jersey and receive your substitute certification.

1. Seek and Obtain a Sponsor for Criminal History Record Clearance

In order to start the process, the nurse must have a sponsor. The sponsor can be a school district or organization. The sponsor should be either the nurse’s school district, teacher preparation program, or vendor organization where the nurse will be working. If the nurse is planning to work in multiple school districts, they just need to make sure that the sponsor is one of the districts they’re planning on working for.

2. Complete Background Check and Get Fingerprinted

To start the process of a background check, head to NJDOE’s website for the criminal history background clearance process and follow the directions. Once the administrative fee is paid, print out the IdentoGO New Jersey Universal Fingerprint Form. Then go ahead and make an appointment with IdentoGO online to get your fingerprints processed.

3. Apply for the Substitute Credential Online

Once the prior steps are completed, apply for the substitute credential online. New Jersey offers 3 types of substitute credentials, any of the 3 credentials will be sufficient. The different types of credentials are listed below:

• 60-Credit Instructional Substitute Credential
• 30-Credit Substitute Credential
• Career and Technical Education Substitute Credential

What are the Responsibilities of a Substitute School Nurse?

The responsibilities of a substitute school nurse are similar to those of a full-time nurse. A substitute nurse works on a temporary basis in a school or school district when the full-time nurse is out. School nurses provide health services for the students and faculty in the school. As a school nurse you will be responsible for supporting the physical, mental, emotional, and social needs of the students. School nurses are also responsible for assessing and addressing health concerns, conducting health screenings, communicating with parents, maintaining accurate health records, and more. Being a school nurse is a vital part to creating a healthy and supportive environment where students can thrive both academically and personally.

How to Become a Substitute School Nurse in NJ

In order to become a substitute school nurse in New Jersey, the nurse must first receive a BSN. Once they have received their BSN, they need to take and pass the NCLEX to get their Registered Nurse License. After the nurse has completed school and obtained a valid RN license, they will then need to acquire a substitute certificate. After attaining the sub certification, the nurse is eligible to work in school districts.

Conclusion

In brief, it’s fairly easy to receive your substitute certification in order to become a sub school nurse in New Jersey. If you have a passion for making a positive impact on kids, being a school nurse is immensely fulfilling. If you’re looking to divert your nursing career to school nursing, reach out to one of our recruiters! We are always hiring Nurses to fill open positions in schools across NJ and NY. If you’re looking to get started with your school nursing career, apply online today!