News Release
Professional development program for school nurses expanded
May 13, 2009
School nurses in Pennsylvania now have even more options to receive valuable training through Penn State Harrisburg’s Professional Development Program for School Nurses, with three courses offered this summer.
Penn State continues to develop new courses for the program, to include timely, relevant topics, such as healthy lifestyles for children and adolescents, drug abuse prevention, new medications, and helping students deal with crisis. Now with 15 locations across the state and online course options, the program also offers school nurses more ways to participate.
Program courses are offered each summer and are delivered in condensed formats—designed to minimize impact on summer vacation plans. Participants can earn up to 6 credits within a two-week period. The following courses can be taken this summer at Penn State Harrisburg:
- NURS 407 - Drugs of Abuse and Mental Health Issues;
- NURS 497D - Compassionate Counseling for Children and Adolescents Dealing with Dying, Death, and other Life Crises; and
- NURS 497E - School Health and Emergency Care of Children and Adolescents.
These courses for school nurses can help satisfy Act 48 requirements, and some courses also may be applicable toward a bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, or other Penn State School of Nursing programs. Registered Nurses may also use these courses to satisfy new Act 58 requirements.
The Professional Development Program for School Nurses is supported by Penn State’s School of Nursing and the Office of Continuing and Professional Education. More information can be found online at http://www.outreach.psu.edu/cape/SchoolNurse, or by calling the Penn State Harrisburg Office of Continuing Education at 717-948-6505.