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/