Can a LPN be a school nurse?

Nurses LPN/LVN

Updated:   Published

Hello,

I live here in AZ, and I was thinking of being a school nurse after I get out of school. I know after I get my associates in nursing, I have to get my BSN to be a school nurse. I was wondering could you work here in AZ under a BSN school nurse as an LPN? Cause Im sure you cant work as a CNA, but I was thinking can you as an LPN. Im starting my first block in August, and wanted to see in may if I can get into doing that, and wanted to see if you guys knew if it was possible. Can anyone answer this question. thx

I'm in Vancouver, WA (across the river from smkoepke).

Washington State requires all school district employed nurses hold a BSN.

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What is the starting pay for an LPN as a school nurse?

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Specializes in LTC.

I'm a cna working as a school health assistant, I work under a " school nurse" but I'm at the school the majority of the time. this is all due to the nursing shortage. Besides its cheaper, to hire cnas than LPNs.

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Specializes in corrections, MH, geriatrics.

I have agency placement in a Chicago Public School. My caseload varies, but I average about 9-10 students. Mostly catheters, tube feedings, and seizures. There is an RN present in the building most of the day three days a week and there is a contact RN for the school system in general that is reported to. I love it. Ive been at the school since last Sept. and summer school just let out. I can't wait to go back in a month!

Also, I assist the school RN with immunization forms and so on. I am an LPN, by the way. I just noticed that the little info box doesn't say that.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

Here in this part of NC you have to be an RN to be a school nurse. While in nursing school last year, we had to do a rotation in a local elementary school, and I loved it! (Dont know why they made a LPN do a rotation where only a RN can work...........) The school nurse told me that at one time LPN's could work as school nurses, but because we live in such rural communities, they now only took RN's because there were not enough RN's around to supervise at each school. She also told me that they (the school board) were trying to make it where you had to be a RN, BSN as well :cry: I know RN's have more assessment skills, but not sure why they are going to all RN's. As a matter of fact, we have a few hospitals around here that will ONLY hire RN's..........with the nursing shortage all over, I dont understand the reasoning.

Dix

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

My daughters school nurse is an EMT! But were in Indiana.

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Specializes in Geriatrics.

DEFINITELY, YOU CAN WORK AS A SCHOOL NURSE

Hello,

I live here in AZ, and I was thinking of being a school nurse after I get out of school. I know after I get my associates in nursing, I have to get my BSN to be a school nurse. I was wondering could you work here in AZ under a BSN school nurse as an LPN? Cause Im sure you cant work as a CNA, but I was thinking can you as an LPN. Im starting my first block in August, and wanted to see in may if I can get into doing that, and wanted to see if you guys knew if it was possible. Can anyone answer this question. thx

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I would'nt mind being a school nurse either. btw, can you get your BSN without getting your RN first? I thought you could, but then I heard you could'nt. I have a lot of schooling and several degrees, so it seems it would be a lot quicker to get the BSN if possible. Plus I don't want to go thru the clinicals and check offs you have to do for the LPN to RN bridge again...

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Medsport BSN stands for Bachelor of Science in Nursing so it's a no go on the bypass. I worked for an LPN who had a bacehlors in business she ran a home health company and had MDs and PhDs on her board. As far as state to state I'm not sure because ther person who administers meds at my daughters school is an EMT but maybe she work under the school nurse.

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Hi all! I am a LVN working in one California school district that hires licensed nurses at each of their school sites. My problem is with the after school program of the school I am assigned that I also stay to work at. We don't have much medical needs this year in the program and one of the teachers stated I probably wasn't needed. I do more work for the office than being a nurse and it is frustrating. I worked hard to be a good nurse but can't say I am viewed as a nurse in this after school program. It makes me feel belittled and unimportant, plus with the Calif economy I really can't afford to lose the hours and it would also impact my health benefits for myself and family as I would be working less than 40 hours. I could use suggestions on maintaining my self esteem and self-respect for being a nurse at a school. Much thanks!

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Specializes in LTC currently.

The school nurses in chicago that are LPN's with experience are making $18-19/per hour, with good benefits. this is th route that i know two "burned" out nurses have took, leaving LT and hospital.

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Specializes in Med/Surg;Geriatrics;Ortho;Family Med.

In MI you can work as a school nurse and even take a a small certification course and become a Health Education teacher.

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