How to become A School Nurse (Registered Professional)

School Nurses help care for young students, put a smile on their faces, and ensure that any health-related issue does not stand in the way of their school experience. They are registered nurses who treat young patients with acute or chronic health problems and learning difficulties.

• Pre-school Nurse
• Elementary School Nurse
• Primary School Nurse
• Middle School Nurse
• High School Nurse
• College/University Nurse

What do School Nurses do?

A School Nurse would typically need to:

• Take care of students with injuries and sudden illnesses as well as those with chronic diseases, disabilities, and mental health issues
• Physically examine and conduct developmental screening and health checks of students; administer appropriate medication, vaccinations, and emergency care to students
• Inform and advise students, parents, and other school staff about health issues such as drug abuse, smoking, mental health issues, and sexually transmitted diseases
• Promote essential aspects of healthy living such as nutrition, exercise, safe-sex practices, and wellness
• Inform parents about their student's current health, advise them, or refer them to specialists
• Support and train teachers on addressing the issues above and administering EpiPens and insulin; provide advice on school health policy while ensuring it follows the current health and safety regulations for school nurse practices
• Work with other school staff and specialised agencies on how to better care for students with injuries, chronic illnesses, disabilities, or mental health issues
• Keep up-to-date records of the patient history and other relevant information of current students who require medical assistance
• Stay up-to-date with and follow best practices and health care regulations

School Nurses primarily work in academic settings, which may not be as stressful or demanding as other registered nurses. You may work in a clinic on the school premises, alone or with a small group of healthcare professionals, school therapists and teachers. Your employer may be a single school or a group of schools.

School Nurses must work during school hours; they typically enjoy their evenings, weekends and the usual school breaks. They do not work overtime and are not on call.

Sometimes, School Nurses may work in a general practitioner’s office, or a health centre focused on the care and treatment of children and young people and may have to follow different work schedules.

Finding a new job might seem challenging. School Nurses can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting schools directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.

School Nurses are generally employed by:

• Public, Private, and Parochial Schools
• Alternative Schools
• Colleges/Universities
• Pre-Schools
• Vocational Schools
• Summer Schools and Camps
• Hospitals
• GP Offices
• Public Health Departments
• Juvenile Correctional Facilities
• Overseas Military Bases
• Pupil Referral Units

Healthcare associations such as School Nurses International provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers and access to peer-reviewed journals and conferences.

Affiliated School Nurses may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. These events help them keep up with the newest breakthroughs and latest developments in the field, including plum jobs.

• A competitive job market, since school settings require only one nurse or a small group of nurses

To show their commitment to the long qualifying period, every applicant to a nursing program needs work experience in their local hospital, doctor's surgery, nursing home, or mental health trust.

This process will help them understand some of the physical and emotional demands of a career in nursing. It will also help them gain expertise in practices that promote student well-being, improve academic performance, and help students progress to adulthood.

School Nurses must complete a specific number of clinical hours before applying for jobs; each country, state, district and school regulates the number of hours necessary. Check with your local regulating authority for more clarity.

As in any career, reading as much as possible about the profession, attending conferences, workshops, training sessions and interviewing those working in School Nursing are other important ways to explore your interest.

School Nurses must obtain a healthcare-related Bachelor of Science degree, which in most cases is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree that includes anatomy and physiology, microbiology, psychology, nutrition, patient care, and hands-on practical experience. Associate degrees in nursing will not allow you to become a nurse.

Typically, BSN graduates must sit for a Registered Nurse certification to obtain a licence to practice this medical profession. To qualify for the exam, you must complete at least 1000 hours working in schools within three years.

Potential employers typically require a school nursing certification and demonstration of several years of clinical experience also. Certification in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - School Nursing (SCPHN) may take one to two years. It includes school nursing, adolescent healthcare, and introduction to education.

Ensure you do your homework and are fully aware of the local job requirements before applying for the position.

Certification from an objective and reputed organisation can help you gain professional credibility, build your expertise in a specific area, and stay up-to-date on healthcare practices.

School Nurses must obtain a registered nurse licence and national certification in school nursing; voluntary certifications in family nursing and pediatric primary care nursing may be worth pursuing. School Nurses can also obtain certifications in related fields such as education and psychology to enhance their skills and land jobs.

Performance, experience, and acquisition of professional qualifications drive career progression. With significant clinical experience and specialised certifications, School Nurses can land supervisory and managerial roles. You may become a Team Manager or a Community Nurse. A PhD should help you transition to teaching or research

Candidates with appropriate skills, experience, and education have the best job prospects. There is an increasing demand for School Nurses who can help students with prolonged and diverse medical issues caused by problems in the household and school, homelessness, divorce, immigration, depression, drug and alcohol abuse, violence and poverty.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is imperative in the healthcare sector as it has important implications for public wellbeing. Ideal career progression happens when School Nurses actively choose to expand their skill-sets and meet the requirements of their respective regulatory bodies.

School Nurses can land more jobs and further develop their skills and careers through several years of clinical experience and further education, such as more specialised certifications in nutrition, mental health, wellness, chronic illnesses and disabilities. Acquiring a Masters degree in nursing or education will also prove advantageous.

Typical Illnesses that School Nurses Care for

School Nurses often treat and care for minor injuries and other frequent illnesses such as flu symptoms, fever, and stomach aches. They must also provide more specialised care for young patients with chronic diseases or disabilities, such as diabetes, cerebral palsy, and allergies. At the same time, School Nurses may have to help children with learning needs such as dyslexia, sensory and auditory processing issues.

School Nurses vs Other Registered Nurses

School Nurses deal with less severe and stressful situations than other registered nurses. They typically treat frequent but minor school injuries that may occur during recess and PE classes. School Nurses work in less dangerous environments than hospitals and are less likely to contract diseases.

Nursing is one of the most customisable and specialised professions, with more than 104 nursing specialties and many advanced nursing degrees.

If you find it fulfilling to work with and care for children, then school nursing may just be the right job for you! School Nurses make sure health-related issues do not stand in the way of children’s learning.

To do what nobody else will do, in a way that nobody else can do, in spite of all we go through...that is what it is to be a nurse. – Rawsi Williams, RN