Susan Boggs, RN, the school nurse at Hefner Middle School, has successfully completed studies and examinations necessary to be designated a Nationally Certified School Nurse. The certification represents a national standard of preparation, knowledge and practice in school nursing.
The Nationally Certified School Nurse process is accredited by the American Board of Nursing Specialties, whose standards ensure that the credentialing process is reflective of the knowledge expected of the proficient school nurse. For candidates to pass the exam and earn the credential, they must demonstrate excellence and experience in the areas of health appraisal, health problems and nursing management, health promotion and disease prevention and special health issues.
Boggs says taking the exam and earning certification was important to her.
“I feel it’s the responsibility of school nurses to evaluate their own practice within the framework of standards and guidelines set by their profession. The exam was comprehensive, written from a national perspective and covering all school ages from preschool to high school. I was delighted to earn a passing score and certification,” Boggs says.
Georgene Westendorf, RN, Putnam City’s Health Services Coordinator, says it’s not surprising that Boggs earned the new credential.
"Susan is very dedicated to her profession and the young men and women she cares for at Hefner. Her professional knowledge is vast, and she keeps up to date. When you spend time with her, you see she has great rapport with staff and students. She excels at her work due to her creativity and initiative," says Westendorf.
Boggs is beginning her fourth year as Hefner’s school nurse. Her nursing experience includes work in pediatric intensive care at Oklahoma Children's Memorial Hospital, cardiovascular-thoracic surgery at Presbyterian Hospital and adult acute cardiac care at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis. She is a member of National Association of School Nurses and School Nurses Organization of Oklahoma. She holds a master of science degree and a bachelor of science degree in nursing, both from the University of Oklahoma.
Oklahoma has just 10 nationally certified school nurses, and two of them, Boggs and Westendorf, work in Putnam City.
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For More Information
Steve Lindley, Communications Director
(405) 495-5200, x1204
(405) 812-6119
slindley@putnamcityschools.org