You’re committed to the safety and health of your students and staff members, and we want to become an integral part of your team. With an onsite HealthBar RN assigned to your school, you’ll have a dedicated health professional who can administer medication, treat illness or injury, conduct immediate testing, and even advise administration on health policies and procedures.
School Health FAQs
1
Are HealthBar school nurses contractors or W-2 employees?
All HealthBar clinicians are W-2 employees. We believe strongly in developing long-term relationships with our customers. Our employed Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner providers are some of the best you will find. We use a strict approach to the clinicians we hire and ensure that their attention to clinical quality, customer service, and collaboration is unmatched. Employed clinicians are able to bring consistency and relationship development with our school customers, students, families, and staff.
1
Are HealthBar school nurses contractors or W-2 employees?
All HealthBar clinicians are W-2 employees. We believe strongly in developing long-term relationships with our customers. Our employed Registered Nurse and Nurse Practitioner providers are some of the best you will find. We use a strict approach to the clinicians we hire and ensure that their attention to clinical quality, customer service, and collaboration is unmatched. Employed clinicians are able to bring consistency and relationship development with our school customers, students, families, and staff.
2
Is HealthBar's school nursing program on site or virtual?
While our School Nursing Program emphasizes having our school nurses on site, we also provide access to virtual visits. The main goals of our program are the following:
- Increase access to healthcare services and education for students, faculty, and school communities
- Complete handling of medications and administrations
- Develop care plans for students with chronic conditions
- Treatment and facilitation of injury, illness and mental, physical, and emotional health needs and services
- Health education and presentations to faculty/students on many health topics and disease states
- Attendance monitoring as it relates to health and wellness
- Partnership with onsite resources as available (social work/case management, etc.)
- Health records maintenance and information gathering
- Policy development and review as it pertains to nursing and clinical topics
- Compliance monitoring with local and state regulations and guidelines
- Onsite testing and vaccination services as it relates to illnesses (flu/strep/COVID, etc.)
No two school districts are exactly the same. It is our goal to clearly understand each school’s goals and needs and map a program based on that set of criteria. In the end, we aim to make our program robust and offer a significant amount of medical support and expertise customized to the needs of your school district and the community you serve.
2
Is HealthBar's school nursing program on site or virtual?
While our School Nursing Program emphasizes having our school nurses on site, we also provide access to virtual visits. The main goals of our program are the following:
- Increase access to healthcare services and education for students, faculty, and school communities
- Complete handling of medications and administrations
- Develop care plans for students with chronic conditions
- Treatment and facilitation of injury, illness and mental, physical, and emotional health needs and services
- Health education and presentations to faculty/students on many health topics and disease states
- Attendance monitoring as it relates to health and wellness
- Partnership with onsite resources as available (social work/case management, etc.)
- Health records maintenance and information gathering
- Policy development and review as it pertains to nursing and clinical topics
- Compliance monitoring with local and state regulations and guidelines
- Onsite testing and vaccination services as it relates to illnesses (flu/strep/COVID, etc.)
No two school districts are exactly the same. It is our goal to clearly understand each school’s goals and needs and map a program based on that set of criteria. In the end, we aim to make our program robust and offer a significant amount of medical support and expertise customized to the needs of your school district and the community you serve.
3
What are the requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) to work as a school nurse in Michigan?
To be a school nurse in Michigan, you must be a registered nurse licensed by the State of Michigan. Michigan school nurse practice is governed by the Michigan School Code and the Michigan Public Health Code, which is different from many states governed by a state Nurse Practice Act. The Michigan Board of Education requires all school nurses to be properly certified by the state. This certification includes continuing education and work experience.
A School Nurse Certificate can be obtained in stages. An RN with a bachelor of science qualifies for an Interim School Nurse Certification for working in a school during the first 2 years. They may apply for the Standard School Nurse Certification after completing 2 years. This school nurse with 2 years of experience qualifies for Professional School Nurse Certification. A RN with an associate nursing degree (ADN) can only apply for the interim School Nurse Certification, which is valid for 2 years. They can reapply and qualify for another 2 years and must meet the requirement of at least 8 hours of continuing education related to school nursing. After 2 years of work as an interim school nurse and 15 hours of additional learning, the ADN RN will qualify for Standard School Nurse Certification, which is good for 3 years. They can reapply and qualify for another 3 years before they are required to qualify for the Professional School Nurse Certification.
The ultimate goal is for all school nurses to have a BSN or work toward their BSN over a 10-year period. The RN must be certified, according to the rules of the Michigan Online Educator System (MOECS). Effective July 2023, Public Act 110 of 2023 and Public Act 111 of 2023 “expand reciprocity and support experienced educators in becoming certified or re-certified in Michigan.” RNs are currently not able to apply for themselves. The application must be done by someone in the district who has access to MOECS. The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) also recommends National School Nurse Certification. Information on national school nurse certification is available at the National Board of Certified School Nurses (NBCSN).
3
What are the requirements for a Registered Nurse (RN) to work as a school nurse in Michigan?
To be a school nurse in Michigan, you must be a registered nurse licensed by the State of Michigan. Michigan school nurse practice is governed by the Michigan School Code and the Michigan Public Health Code, which is different from many states governed by a state Nurse Practice Act. The Michigan Board of Education requires all school nurses to be properly certified by the state. This certification includes continuing education and work experience.
A School Nurse Certificate can be obtained in stages. An RN with a bachelor of science qualifies for an Interim School Nurse Certification for working in a school during the first 2 years. They may apply for the Standard School Nurse Certification after completing 2 years. This school nurse with 2 years of experience qualifies for Professional School Nurse Certification. A RN with an associate nursing degree (ADN) can only apply for the interim School Nurse Certification, which is valid for 2 years. They can reapply and qualify for another 2 years and must meet the requirement of at least 8 hours of continuing education related to school nursing. After 2 years of work as an interim school nurse and 15 hours of additional learning, the ADN RN will qualify for Standard School Nurse Certification, which is good for 3 years. They can reapply and qualify for another 3 years before they are required to qualify for the Professional School Nurse Certification.
The ultimate goal is for all school nurses to have a BSN or work toward their BSN over a 10-year period. The RN must be certified, according to the rules of the Michigan Online Educator System (MOECS). Effective July 2023, Public Act 110 of 2023 and Public Act 111 of 2023 “expand reciprocity and support experienced educators in becoming certified or re-certified in Michigan.” RNs are currently not able to apply for themselves. The application must be done by someone in the district who has access to MOECS. The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) also recommends National School Nurse Certification. Information on national school nurse certification is available at the National Board of Certified School Nurses (NBCSN).
4
What is a "Medical Emergency Response Team" (MERT)?
Any child or adult can have a medical emergency in school. The Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) responds to both individual and building emergencies. Unlicensed school personnel on the MERT are trained to handle medical emergencies and to provide immediate and temporary care in the building until professional help arrives.
The purpose of the MERT is to be prepared and respond to medical emergencies through training, drills, and practice. MERT members may include principals, secretaries, paraprofessionals, teachers, teachers with special needs students, school nurses, P.E. teachers, and others. Team members are generally certified in CPR and First Aid and are designated by the school administrator.
The MERT responsibilities include:
- Identify the emergency
- Implement emergency procedures
- Provide care
- Submit recommendations
4
What is a "Medical Emergency Response Team" (MERT)?
Any child or adult can have a medical emergency in school. The Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT) responds to both individual and building emergencies. Unlicensed school personnel on the MERT are trained to handle medical emergencies and to provide immediate and temporary care in the building until professional help arrives.
The purpose of the MERT is to be prepared and respond to medical emergencies through training, drills, and practice. MERT members may include principals, secretaries, paraprofessionals, teachers, teachers with special needs students, school nurses, P.E. teachers, and others. Team members are generally certified in CPR and First Aid and are designated by the school administrator.
The MERT responsibilities include:
- Identify the emergency
- Implement emergency procedures
- Provide care
- Submit recommendations
