If you are torn between a career in education, and a career in the medical field, a career as a school nurse may be for you! Or, if you are a nurse seeking a different environment other than a hospital or doctor’s office, school nursing may also be an option for you.
What Do School Nurses Do? Job Responsibilities:
According to the
National Association of School Nurses (NASN), the responsibilities of school nurses include:
- Enforce compliance with immunization requirements
- Disaster preparedness and emergency protocols
- Manage the care of students with chronic medical conditions
- Health education of students and staff
How To Become a School Nurse:
Specific requirements for school nurses vary from state to state, so before you embark upon your career as a school nurse, be sure to check with your state or local requirements. One source is your nearby affiliate of the NASN.
However, many school nurses are RNs or APRNs. Additionally, a national certification is available for school nurses, through the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN), in accordance with the NASN. This certification, the National Certified School Nurse (NCSN) helps to standardize the profession nationwide, and ensure a high quality of practice.
Where to Find School Nursing Jobs:
In addition to private and public schools, as well as county and state Boards of Education, other employers of school nurses include:
- Colleges and Universities
- Public Health Departments and Agencies
- Departments of Health
According to the NASN, school nurse openings are posted on the NASN website, as well as on websites of state and local school nurse professional associations. Your local Board of Education may also post school nurse openings on its website or job board.
Average Salary for School Nurses:
According to Absolutely Healthcare's Salary Wizard, the median salary for school nurses is $43,753 per year. The 75th percentile is about $55,000 annually.
What's To Like about a Career as a School Nurse:
The work hours are a major plus for school nurses, especially as compared to other nurses' schedules. School nurses often work no nights, no weekends, and many school nurses may also have summers off too! If you have a passion for health education, and working with children, these are just a few of the perks.
What's Not to Like:
While school nursing careers are relatively secure, they may be subject to state budget cuts. Depending on the employer and the political landscape in your district, school nurses are sometimes a target for cost-saving cutbacks in the event of a recession or economic downturn.
Additionally, the earning potential is typically a bit lower for school nurses than for nurses in hospitals or physician offices.
