[School-nurse] School-nurse Digest, Vol 10, Issue 12

[Paula Smith (ADE)]

There are several issues addressed here.
#1. The law differentiates between LPN, LPTN, RN, and APN. That is the
first determining factor.
#2. Educational level: LPN degree, Associate Degree, Diploma,
Baccalaureate degree, Master's degree, doctoral degree.

I would suggest that ALL download a copy of the School Nurse Guidelines
(from this web site) and read it closely. I would focus on the pages
dedicated to the law and defining the practice of the different levels
of nursing, the delegation model and the supervision aspect. Because
honestly, legally LPNs do NOT do everything an RN does. 

I do not, at any time, want ANYONE to think that I believe that one
nurse is more or less worthy than another. We all need each other. But
this is not the time to tear each other down. 

As far as compensation for what you do. There are classifications of
personnel, such as certified, classified and professional. Now if you
want to get really technical, it is no longer called certification, but
now is teacher licensure! SO, if you want to be frank, there could be a
teacher's salary schedule, classified salary schedule and a Professional
salary schedule. This professional would be OT, PT, Speech, Nursing,
Counselors, etc. Because to be perfectly frank, to put nursing on a
teacher's salary schedule would only be able to include BSN nurses.
Because the minimal educational preparation for a teacher is a BS
degree. SOOOOOOO, if there was a professional salary schedule, pay could
be related to educational level and years of experience, JUST like the
teacher's salary schedule is. Then decide if the years of experience
would be within nursing, speciality of school nursing and/or district. 
This is JUST MY OPINION. 

 

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