Your School Nurse Career
School Nursing: Your Guide to Jobs in the School Setting
Want to make a difference in your community and enjoy work-life balance? Find school nursing jobs near you that meet your lifestyle, career, and financial goals with CareerStaff.
What is a School Nurse?
School nurses are RNs who’ve received additional training and certification to meet the unique healthcare needs of school-aged children. School nurses are heroes in healthcare and education. They create a healthy academic environment for K-12 students to grow, develop, and feel their best.
What Does a School Nurse Do?
The job of a school nurse can vary from day to day. As a whole, they’re responsible for:
- Administering first aid and providing health assessment for students.
- Coordinating care plans for students with chronic or acute health conditions.
- Collaborating with faculty to protect students’ well-being.
- Providing care for students with special needs.
School Nursing F.A.Q
Looking for school nursing jobs? You’ll need:
● A Bachelor of Science in Nursing
● To pass the NCLEX and become licensed in your state
● At least 1-3 years of clinical experience (preferably in pediatric settings)
You may need a National Certified School Nurse (NSCN) certification in some states.
School nursing can be challenging, but it’s considered slower-paced and less demanding than most nurse jobs in traditional hospital settings.
Overall, the stress of the job will highly depend on your school’s nurse-to-patient ratio.
You can advance and specialize in your school nursing career by obtaining a master of science in nursing. Depending on the program, you may be able to specialize in mental health, special needs, diverse learners, and other areas.
Learn more about the different nurse specialties here.
School nurses help promote a healthy academic environment by caring and advocating for their students’ healthcare needs.
This can include:
● Administering medications
● Providing first aid and emergency care
● Conducting health assessments
● Managing chronic health conditions
● Promoting healthy behaviors and lifestyles
Find resume tips for school nurses here.
You can grow your school nursing career by earning additional certifications, pursuing advanced degrees, and taking on leadership roles within the school or district.
According to Salary.com, the median annual salary for school nursing jobs in 2023 is $54,767, ranging from $43,761–$69,152.
This can vary depending on the location and school district, as well as your experience, certifications, and skills.
School nurses can enjoy:
● Predictable schedules and routines
● Holidays and summers off
● Fulfilling opportunities to work with children and young adults
● The ability to make a positive impact on the community
● A sense of independence
Yes. School nurses must be registered nurses. Depending on the state, you may also need a National Certified School Nurse (NSCN) certification.
You’ll need a BSN, 1,000 clinical hours in the past 3 years, and pass the NCSN exam to earn this certification.
Your Setting. Your Next Nursing Job.
Take Your Career to New Places with a Travel Nursing Assignment
Nurses who are open to travel nursing jobs can choose from assignments across the United States! At CareerStaff, we offer our travelers opportunities from coast to coast, along with great benefits including stipends for housing and travel. Learn more about traveling with CareerStaff here.
