Bill to broaden experience eligible for school‑nurse certification draws support from nursing association

Rep. Jess Edwards told the committee HB 208 was drafted after conversations with a local superintendent and the New Hampshire School Nurses Association to address recruiting problems for school nurses. The proposal would adjust statutory language that currently emphasizes pediatric experience and make acute and chronic care experience explicitly acceptable as qualifying background for certification and hiring.

Edwards said the change would give districts greater flexibility to hire experienced registered nurses who have worked in non‑pediatric settings (for example, emergency or chronic‑care settings) and to consider demonstrated leadership and aptitude in lieu of narrowly defined prior pediatric experience. “If you can’t hire anyone, you have no school nurse,” Edwards said, arguing the bill preserves quality standards while expanding the pool of applicants.

Department of Education staff (Steven Appleby) told the committee existing statutory language can be interpreted as restrictive: some applicants with nursing experience in long‑term care or other settings have been judged not to meet the ‘‘related area’’ requirement under current law. Appleby confirmed past statutory and rule changes have not fully alleviated hiring difficulty. Representatives from the New Hampshire School Nurses Association (represented in the hearing by counsel Sean Thomas) told the committee they support the drafted changes as a way to maintain standards while addressing workforce shortages.

Committee members asked technical questions. Rep. Cornell asked whether dual certification requirements (RN license plus DOE school‑nurse certification) were driving shortages; Appleby and witnesses said licensing and certification requirements are in place to maximize student safety, but recruiting remains difficult. The statute and administrative rules also include time limits and pathways for associates‑degree nurses who are enrolled in bachelor programs; witnesses said those provisions assist some candidates but do not solve supply issues in all districts.

Why it matters: Many New Hampshire districts report difficulty recruiting school nurses; HB 208 aims to widen the eligible pool while retaining professional standards for school health services. Advocates argued the measure will help districts fill essential health positions without lowering clinical standards.

What’s next: The bill received supportive testimony from the School Nurses Association and DOE staff described current statutory constraints. The committee heard the measure; next steps include committee deliberation and any amendment drafting.