Providing mentors to novice nurses in the beginning educator support team program.

HB 1352 amends Washington's educator support program to require school districts receiving funds to provide trained mentors for "novice school nurses" (registered or advanced practice nurses in their first three years of school-based roles). The bill expands an existing program for beginning teachers, principals, and staff to include school nurses under the same mentorship requirements. Key provisions mandate districts prioritize these mentors, align with research-based induction standards, and include components like paid orientation, ongoing professional development, and non-evaluative observations. The law applies to school districts receiving competitive state funds for the Beginning Educator Support Team program, which focuses on improving retention and support for new educators. This is not a standalone nurse program but an expansion of an existing educator support framework.