Standard 3 Aspect A

Standard 3:  Quality Program Practices
Preparation programs ensure that candidates, upon completion, are ready to engage in professional practice, to adapt to a variety of professional settings, and to grow throughout their careers.  Effective program practices include consistent offering of coherent curricula; high quality, diverse clinical experiences; dynamic, mutually beneficial partnerships with stakeholders; and comprehensive and transparent quality assurance processes informed by trustworthy evidence.  Each aspect of the program is appropriate to its context and to the credential or degree sought.  Evidence shows the program: Offers coherent curricula with clear expectations that are aligned with state and national standards, as applicable.

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The School Nurse Services Credential (SNSC) program is designed to meet the comprehensive standards of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing (see Appendix C).  School nursing is considered to be a highly specialized practice bridging the medical world with the goals and objectives of the educational setting.  School Nurses are registered nurses who come to the SNSC program with extensive medical background but learning how to be effective in the educational setting requires additional education and clinical preparation.  The school nurse standards are designed by the National Association of School Nursing (NASN) in collaboration with the American Association of Nursing (ANA).

•  (ANA Scope of Practice) 
•  (NASN Scope and Standards)

The SNSC program framework is derived from the CSUF School of Nursing’s framework of the Neuman Systems Model which is based on the relationship between Client, Environment, Health, and Nursing. SNSC coursework includes content and skill development in three major competencies:  Providing health and wellness services (mandated screenings, immunization monitoring and health teaching), providing direct client care services (first aid and emergency care and medication administration) and program management (designing, implementing and evaluation of health related programs).  The CCTC Accreditation matrix demonstrates how the SNSC curriculum meets the CCTC competencies. 

• (CCTC matrix)
• (CCTC School Nurse Description)
• (SNSC Program Handbook)

Keeping Curriculum Current
CSU Fresno School Nurse Services Credential program has expended considerable time and energy to ensure the program provides a coherent curriculum that aligns with state and national standards for school nurse candidates.  As the medical world changes, it is important that the SNSC program stays current in today's challenges. Candidates, preceptors, faculty, and stakeholders give input on the program content and effectiveness in mid-year and end of year evaluations. 

Preceptor Input
Preceptors who work with candidates at the school site evaluate the program and recommend changes to content to help the program stay aligned and updated with current practice.  A majority of Preceptors state the program is comprehensive and extremely or very pertinent to the profession of school nursing.

The COVID years are marked as practicums were less hands-on during this period.

Preceptor Evaluation of Course
Likert Scale: 5=Excellent  4=Very Good  3=Good  2=Fair  1=Poor

 

• _{(Preceptor Evaluation of Course Form)}
• _{(Preceptor Evaluation Comments N186)}
• _{(Preceptor Evaluation Comments N187)}

COURSE EVALUATION PRECEPTOR COMMENTS 2016-2020

• None, the faculty at Fresno State have been accessible and provided clear instruction to students and preceptors. Overall it has been a positive experience.
• Wonderful experience!  Course content is very pertinent and fostered an encompassing experience of what “real” school nursing entails.
• Excellent program!  The program provided a breadth of opportunities and the student gained a lot of experience
• The suggested activities in the syllabus appear comprehensive.  I would not add anything.
• The program experiences are well rounded and applicable.
• More time with the preceptor!
• My preceptees this school year were focused, goal driven and worked to do the best job possible for students and families.  Their professionalism made my job easier than expected.
• Continue to provide what is best for school nursing!!!

Candidate Input
Candidates state the SNSC program is effective in providing the necessary information and skills to be a professional school nurse. In 2019 and 2020 evaluations, candidates and preceptors noted the program needed additional information on mental health areas, legal documentation, and bullying. Practicum courses added links to Mental Health information and optional trainings that could be used for practicum hours. Bullying and legal documentation were chosen as PowerPoint presentations by candidates in seminar courses N184 and N185. Faculty review learning objectives to communicate clear expectations to students. COVID years were noted as the practicum was less hands-on and candidates were able to spend less face time with their preceptor.

Candidate Evaluation of Course 
Likert Scale: 5=Excellent  4=Very Good  3=Good  2=Fair  1=Poor

 

• _{(Preceptor Evaluation of Course Form)}
• _{(Preceptor Evaluation Comments N186)}
• _{(Preceptor Evaluation Comments N187)}

Faculty/Instructors Input
Faculty meet as needed for program review throughout the semesters and at the end of each semester to assess evaluations for areas of concern or inspiration that might need to be added to the program content for SNSC candidates to stay abreast of current health challenges.  For example, in 2020, pandemic resources were included in program content and topics related to the school nurse role for COVID-19 and COVID contact tracing.  Candidates were able to use contact tracing for a few practicum hours and the topics were added to discussion boards.  To increase collaboration and communication, ZOOM meetings were scheduled for the Orientation and integrated into courses for preceptor conferences and instruction.

Faculty have discussed the need for the program to use Google Drive to develop shared evaluation and preceptor forms, syllabus and instructional tools.  Experimentation with Docusign has begun to explore simplifying exchange of documents between preceptors, candidates and instructors.  In addition, faculty is working to update and simplify syllabi and course materials including the CANVAS content.

Summary of Findings 3a
School nursing is considered to be a highly specialized practice bridging the medical world with the goals and objectives of the educational setting. Evidence demonstrates the School Nurse Services Credential program  meets the comprehensive standards of the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing as evidenced by the CTCC curriculum matrix of school nurse competencies.

Aspect B →