Looking for school nurse jobs? Congratulations, you’re pursuing one of the most rewarding fields in healthcare! Having the right skills and knowledge is key to a successful career as a school nurse. And let’s not forget the importance of knowing how to write a great school nurse resume to help you reach your goals.
School nurses play a vital role in ensuring students feel safe and supported as they learn and grow each day. So, to help you reach your goals, we’re here to provide you with hands-on tips on how to write a school nurse resume and find school nurse jobs with confidence!
2023 School Nurse Job Outlook
School nurse jobs get an A+ in professional benefits! As a school nurse, you have the chance to help kids in need, all while gaining experience in a unique, non-hospital setting. You get to add essential skills to your school nurse resume, from emergency response to health education.
Plus, you have the opportunity to work at a different pace: Most school nurse jobs allow you to enjoy evenings, weekends, and even summers to yourself, creating a healthy work-life balance.
Wondering what the current school nurse job outlook is like? Here are a few key insights to know as you learn how to write a school nurse resume:
- School Nurse Jobs are Expected to Grow 7% from 2019-2029.
The school nurse job market continues to grow with an average annual growth rate of 7%. You can find school nurse job openings across the nation. Research shows some of the best states for school nurses include Massachusetts, Washington, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania.
- Opportunities Increase in a Variety of Educational Settings.
When looking for school nurse jobs, don’t forget your options. There are a variety of openings available to serve students of all ages in public schools, private schools, colleges, and universities.
The pay and benefits can vary depending on your location, skills and experience, and work institution. According to Salary.com, the median pay for school nurse jobs in the U.S. is $54,515, with the majority ranging from $43,560-68,831.
>Wondering how you can become a school nurse? Learn more here!
Tips to Write a School Nursing Resume
With so many talented school nurses out there, how can you stand out to potential employers? It all starts with your resume. Your school nurse resume is your first impression. It can be the deciding factor in whether or not you get invited for an interview.
Here are some tips on how to write a school nurse resume that opens up the satisfying opportunities you’re searching for:
>Need tips to prepare for your school nurse interview? Read more here!
1. Customize Your School Nurse Resume for Each Job.
This is rule #1 in how to write a school nurse resume! Just like how you develop individualized care plans for your students, your school nurse resume should also be individualized for each job application.
Read through the job description thoroughly. Make sure your resume highlights the skills and experiences that match what the specific employer is looking for.
Identify each job description’s “keywords:” The words or phrases repeatedly used in the school nurse job description. These often summarize the essential skills, qualifications, and responsibilities needed for the position. Utilize these keywords in your resume when possible.
2. Start with a Description Summarizing Your School Nurse Resume.
Include a Description section at the top of your school nurse resume. This should summarize your most important skills, experience, and qualifications. Limit it to 1-2 sentences or a few bullet points.
3. Declare Your Objective: Why Do You Want the School Nurse Job?
Next, we have your Objective section. This is another short summary highlighting two main points: Why you want the job and why they should hire you. Be specific to your unique qualifications, goals, and passions.
4. Showcase Your School Nursing Skills.
Let’s move on to the Skills section of your school nurse resume. This should summarize your skills, knowledge, and abilities that qualify you to be the best school nurse candidate. Research shows some of the top skill-based keywords in school nurse job descriptions include:
- Registered Nurse
- Pediatrics
- Clinic
- CPR
- Immunity
- First-aid certified
- Collaboration
- Instruction
- Health education
This confirms that hiring managers are looking for three main skills in your school nurse resume:
- Clinical Skills
- Collaboration & Communication Skills
- Educational Skills
Clinical Skills: As a school nurse, you’re not just handing out band-aids and ice packs. You’re responsible for assessing and treating a wide range of health issues, from asthma attacks to mental health concerns. Make sure to highlight your technical qualifications and skills.
Collaboration and Communication Skills: School nurses are often the liaison between parents, teachers, administrators, healthcare providers, and community organizations. Employers want someone who can clearly and confidently communicate with different stakeholders. Showcase your skills in communicating with diverse populations, collaborating with others, and resolving conflict.
Educational Skills: As a school nurse, you’re a part of the education system. This means you’ll have the opportunity to educate others, both children and adults. Include any educational or instructional skills in this section.
4. Strategically Highlight Your Work Experience
Your Experience section should confirm your unique skills. If you want to know how to write a school nurse resume that stands out, focus on your results, not just your responsibilities. Highlight the results you provided in each role instead of just creating a general list of your job duties.
Connect the dots: Highlight the skills, knowledge, and ability you’ve gained through your previous roles and how they relate to the responsibilities in the role you’re applying for.
- Share Your Certifications
Your Certifications section will clearly break down any certifications you’ve earned in nursing, healthcare, and pediatrics, such as your Nursing License, Basic Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
- Verify Your Education Qualifications
Lastly, your Education section will include where and when you received your associate’s, bachelor’s, and/or master’s degree.
Find School Nurse Jobs with CareerStaff
You deserve hands-on support, guidance, and connection in your job search. That’s why CareerStaff is here to help: With 30+ years of experience in the healthcare industry, our dedicated recruiters are here to help connect you to a job that fits your professional and personal goals.
Ready to get started? Jumpstart your search and find school nursing jobs! Or, complete a quick application to get connected with a recruiter today.