The Arizona Department of Education with funding support from the Arizona Department of Health Services implemented the Arizona School Nurse Access Program (ASAP), an aptly named program to expediently increase the number of school nurses in Arizona. The ASAP idea started in Spring of 2021, and funded school nurses in Arizona for the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 school year. The ASAP supported the professional growth and development of both new-to-practice school nurses as well as the incumbent workforce through a partnership with the Arizona Foundation for the Future of Nursing (AZFFN) and the Arizona State University (ASU). The goal of the ASAP was to foster a highly educated workforce that functions to the full extent of their license and education.
The ASAP Mentor Program was established to partner experienced school nurses with new nurses hired through ASAP to increase new school nurses' job satisfaction, ability to demonstrate core competencies, and intent to stay. The ASAP Mentor will serve as a role model, teacher, coach, and advisor for the assigned newly hired ASAP school nurse for a year. Mentors attended monthly support sessions with mentee(s) and met with their mentee in between sessions.
Eligibility
Arizona licensed Registered Nurse in good standing
BSN preferred
A minimum of 2 years of school nursing experience
A positive recommendation from your direct supervisor with your direct supervisor acknowledging and supporting your participation in this program, knowing time may be needed to attend meetings and take calls during work hours.
National Certified School Nurse preferred or willingness to become certified.
Able to attend monthly support sessions scheduled by ASAP and respond to mentee calls and emails in a timely manner.
Agree to participate in ASAP evaluation team activities during the ASAP Mentor Program including demographic and satisfaction surveys
Submits a completed ASAP Mentor Program Application and sign an ASAP Mentor Program Agreement Statement upon selection
Mentor Requirements
Complete ASAP Mentor Program Orientation
Attend monthly support sessions with other mentors, mentees and ASAP staff
Participate in ASAP evaluation activities as requested
Provide mentee support, feedback and resources throughout the program, completing program mentee reviews as requested
Utilize the Arizona Nurses Association provided Online Forum for communicating with those participating in the ASAP Mentor Program
Make a one-year commitment to being matched with a mentee
Make at least weekly contact with your mentee
Participate in a positive manner during each interaction with your mentee and all program participants
Maintain open communication with program staff, informing program administration of any difficulties or areas of concern that may arise in the mentor/mentee relationship
National Certification Training Program
The Arizona School Nurse Access Program (ASAP) National Certified School Nurse (NCSN) Program was established to support Arizona school nurses in successfully testing for and obtaining their national school nurse certification from the National Board for Certification of School Nurses. School nursing is a nationally recognized nursing specialty, becoming an NCSN demonstrates professional recognition of expertise in this specialty and commitment to lifelong learning and quality care. The ASAP increased the number of Arizona school nurses meeting nationally recognized standards for providing excellence in school nursing care as 104 nurses were certified throughout the ASAP.
The ASAP covered the cost of each Arizona school nurse applicant in seeking and obtaining their NCSN following acceptance of their application to the ASAP NCSN Program.
Study materials (School Nurse Certification Review Book)
Mileage reimbursement to and from test exam
Exam fee
An online support forum for Arizona School Nurses in the ASAP NCSN Program to use while preparing for the exam
Virtual study group sessions with an Arizona NCSN, guest speakers and others preparing for the exam to discuss prep questions and support one another to successfully complete the certification exam
An Arizona one-day Pre-Conference NCSN Review Course
$3,000 one-time stipend for each Arizona School Nurse in the ASAP NCSN Program who successfully completes the exam and becomes an NCSN
Eligibility Criteria for ASAP NCSN Program
Meet eligibility to take the NCSN EXAM established by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses AND
Arizona licensed Registered Nurse in good standing required
A bachelor’s degree or higher in nursing from an accredited program required
No current certification by NBCSN as an NCSN
A minimum of 1 full time school year of school nursing experience in the past 2 years
A positive recommendation from your direct supervisor with your direct supervisor acknowledging and supporting your participation in this program, knowing time may be needed to attend meetings and take calls during work hours.
Able to attend virtual study group sessions scheduled by ASAP, a one-day Pre-Conference NCSN Review Course and respond to program related calls and emails in a timely manner.
Agree to participate in ASAP evaluation team activities during the ASAP NCSN Program including but not limited to demographic and satisfaction surveys
Submit a completed ASAP NCSN Program Application by deadline and sign an ASAP NCSN Program Agreement Statement upon selection
Agree to complete the exam within a year of application
Transition to Practice (T2P) Program
The Arizona School Nurse Access Program (ASAP) School Nurse Transition to Practice (T2P) Program supported 20 Arizona school nurses hired within the past year and are new to school nursing by providing additional school nurse competency-based courses beyond a school health office orientation provided by the school/school district, a mentor for a year and ongoing support from school nurse experts through meetings and an online communication platform for T2P school nurses. School nursing is a nationally recognized nursing specialty, and competency-based coursework in this specialty area will guide the new school nurse in optimizing the health of school-aged children while also creating a supportive environment to increase school nurse retention.
The program consisted of online school nurse coursework through the Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) and a mentor pairing for each T2P Program enrollee. The T2P school nurses were assigned an incumbent Arizona school nurse mentor for one year. The T2P school nurse was required to maintain open communication with their school nurse mentor and to attend monthly support meetings with ASAP staff and their school nurse mentor.
When enrolled in the T2P Program, the ASAP covered the cost of registering for the MCCCD School Nurse Coursework. The T2P Program covered the cost of membership to the American Nurses Association (ANA)/Arizona Nurses Association (AzNA) and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN)/School Nurse Organization of Arizona (SNOA) for one year.
The Arizona School Nurse Advisory Council (AzSNAC) was established as part of the Arizona School Nurse Access Program (ASAP) with Arizona school nurses, health stakeholders, and key partners serving as members. The AzSNAC members guided and advanced the efforts of the ASAP while establishing steps to sustain the ASAP after the COVID-19 funding through the Centers for the Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Workforce Development Crisis Emergency Cooperative Agreement ends.
Arizona School Nurse Workforce and Equipment Grant
In the Spring of 2024, ADE created a mini-grant opportunity to support Arizona school nurses and health offices. The FY24 Arizona School Nurse Workforce and Equipment Grant provided funding to support the needs of registered nurses (RN) for safe and supportive schools that foster student academic success and support COVID-19 response and recovery efforts. The application was open to K-12 Arizona public school districts or charter schools to request funds to support the purchase of health office equipment necessary to perform the duties of the school nurse position and/or invest in school nurse workforce development activities to augment school-based healthcare. Allowable use of funds included:
Equipment for the school health office.
Health office supplies (stop the bleed kits, PPE, items for emergency go bags).
Funds to support professional development and training opportunities (conferences, train the trainer opportunities, related training curriculum in school nursing, mental health, emergency preparedness, or other related topics, NASN books, etc.).
Staff time to receive workforce development if it occurs outside of contract hours.
Conference registration and travel fees per ADOA guidelines, related to the school nurse profession (for attendance to conferences that occur before 6/30/2024).
Professional state and national memberships (e.g. National Association for School Nurses, School Nurses Organization of Arizona).
1.3 million dollars was allocated to 36 districts in Arizona to support their school nurses and health offices.
ASAP Sustainability Efforts
A focus of year 2 was placed on the sustainability of ASAP efforts. The Arizona Department of Education created the necessary tools and resources to support in sustainability planning efforts. These efforts focused on identifying funding sources, grants, opportunities, and avenues to support the school nurse position. Examples included:
Explore Medicaid Billing to bill for services and budget the school nurse's salary.
Present to the School Board to advocate for a school nurse in each school.
Locate community grants to generate funds to support the school nurse's salary.
The intention was to collaborate as a team, involving the nurse, administrator, and other individuals involved in school health at your school. A sustainability action plan template and PowerPoint were created to support the necessary steps for making sustainable actions.
Project AWARE is a federal initiative funded by SAMHSA to build and expand the partnership between education and mental health systems at both the state and local levels.
