PATRICIA MARSHALL, M.S.N., R.N., CCRN, Undergraduate Program Director
The Villa Maria School, in cooperation with the School of Education, offers a post-
baccalaureate degree in nursing (BSN) certificate for school nursing. The school nurse
certificate program is open to registered nurses who have earned a BSN. Students who are
currently enrolled in Gannon University's Villa Maria School of Nursing's BSN program may
take the courses for the certificate during their undergraduate program, but do not qualify for
certification until licensed as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
The purpose of this post-BSN certificate is to prepare nurses to meet the health care needs of
children of all ages in diverse school settings. Health promotion, risk reduction, and health
education are emphasized. The program is approved by the Pennsylvania Department of
Education.
Admission Requirements:
A. Licensed Registered Nurse
a. Completed application to Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing's School
Nurse Certificate Program.
b. Proof of licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
i. Submit photocopy of RN license
c. Currently hold a Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program
with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 in undergraduate course work.
i. Submit official BSN transcript
B. Current BSN student, unlicensed:
a. Student with senior standing, currently enrolled in Gannon University Villa Maria
School of Nursing's BSN program
b. Current overall QPA of 3.0 or higher
i. Submit request to BSN Program director
ii. Submit copy of current transcript
C. Current RN to BSN or RN to MSN student, licensed registered nurse
a. Student is currently enrolled in Gannon University Villa Maria School of Nursing's
BSN-RNBS or ND-RNMSN major
b. Current overall QPA of 3.0 or higher
i. Submit request to BSN Program director
ii. Submit copy of current transcript
c. Proof of licensure as a registered nurse in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
i. Submit photocopy of RN license
Program and Certification Requirements:
1. Admission, progression and graduation requirements from the Pennsylvania Department
of Education (Chapter 354) for School Nurse Certification require a 3.0 QPA for
certification. Overall GPA of at least 3.0 in all undergraduate and certificate course work.
2. 5 credits of NURS 428 School Nursing which contains 100 hours of supervised clinical
experience with a certified school nurse.
a. For admission to NURS 428 School Nursing the following are required
i. Holds a BSN or is a senior student in the BSN program.*
ii. Proof of valid CPR certification
iii. Proof of current PPD ( tuberculin testing)
iv. Proof of completed health records
v. Proof of Act 33 and 34 clearances (child abuse and criminal)
3. Mathematics requirement
a. 6 credit hours of college level Mathematics are required. Three credits may be
awarded for the undergraduate statistics course.
4. English requirement
a. 6 credits hours of college level English as defined below:
i. 3 credit hours of college level English composition
ii. 3 credit hours of college level English literature
5. Support course requirement
a. 3 credit hours of SPED 201 Children with Exceptional Needs
b. 3 credit hours of EDCR 414 Sociology of Education
6. Proof of Licensure in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a registered nurse exempts
the student from taking the PRAXIS I exam.
* Gannon University students enrolled in the BSN-NURS or BSN-RNBS or BSN-RNMS
programs may be eligible to pursue this certificate. Students must declare their intent to
obtain the certification to the BSN program director and complete appropriate paperwork.
Upon completion of the BSN program and proof of licensure as a registered nurse in the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the student must file a certification approval form with the
School of Nursing to initiate the formal School Nurse Certification Process.
Permanent Certification
Pennsylvania offers permanent certification as a School Nurse when a graduate of a School
Nurse Certification program has accumulated a minimum of 24 post-baccalaureate credit
hours within 6 years of initial certification. In most cases, courses taken toward School Nurse
Certification count toward permanent certification as long as they have been taken after the
date on which the initial BSN degree was granted.
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