I would like to respond to Gerald Thiers' letter in the July 6 issue of The Hub. Mr. Theirs states that "many of the students he serves have serious medical conditions that require nurses with acute care experience."

All certified school nurses enter their certification programs with a minimum of two years acute care experience. I was a school nurse, but before I became a certified school nurse I worked in several hospitals in intensive care units. Many certified school nurses continue to work in hospitals on weekends and summers to keep abreast of their acute care experience. Certified school nurses take approximately 23 credits beyond their baccalaureate degree in nursing. These courses include six credits in school nursing where the curriculum includes care of school age children with special needs. Other courses include school law and courses on substance abuse and counseling.

Why should New Jersey students with special needs enrolled in special education programs get a school nurse part time with less credentialing than those enrolled in traditional public schools in New Jersey?

Dr. Laura T Jannone

assistant professor

coordinator of the School Nurse & Health Studies Program

Marjorie K. Unterberg

School of Nursing

Monmouth University

West Long Branch