How to become a school nurse

fetch, BSN, RN · Nov 19, 2013

If your schedule has days off during the week, I definitely recommend signing up to be sub nurse at your local school district. It gives you a feel for a fairly typical day (minus paperwork), plus lets you get to know the supervisors and principals, etc. It also gets your foot in the door so that when you do apply, you're already known to the people who make the decisions. If there's multiple school districts in your area, you can compare how they are run.

Most school districts will require you to have more than 1 year experience as a nurse, so be prepared to do that for a few years. But definitely apply whenever you see an opening you want, because some places will take a chance on you! Good luck!

EllBowRN · Nov 19, 2013

I'm a new RN and have been a school nurse, starting with sub nursing, for about a year. FT at a middle school since last spring. Sub nursing was the best way to get my foot in the door, and a nurse leader who had met me (and gave me some great leads) hired me when she had an opening. All this with "only" an ASN (though I'm in school part time for BSN). I'm really lucky to have this job.

The best part is the well patient population, the autonomy of having my own school, the stable hours, the school schedule, and the collaborative/team approach with the rest of the school. It's very predictable and regular, but no two days are the same. I enjoy the kids, teachers, and parents, but it is first and foremost a 'customer service' job -- if you're not happy about that you won't be a good fit, IMO. You've got to want to please the population and keep the ball in the air. Not much room for bad attitude if you're the only healthcare worker for several hundred people.

The worst part is the pay.

star2601 · Nov 19, 2013

I agree with the post above! The best part is the hours, and the kids. I work with 450 kids ages 1-4 years old and every day is new. But at the same time, I have an office and some routines each day, such as meds and checking expired PEs. I was lucky enough to get hired as a new grad with no experience full time right out of school, and it has been great. I have learned so much already about delegation, prioritizing, emergency management, time management, and decision making. I think the worst part is when I tell people I'm a nurse and they ask "Which hospital"?

bell1962 · Nov 19, 2013

I subbed a little also before I was hired to get a feel for the job. The best parts are the kids, most of the time anyway. The schedule is great but as others have said the pay isn't!

RNlove17 · Nov 20, 2013

It all depends on your state and location on what you need! I'm in NY and just needed to be an RN. There are school nurse-teachers at the elementary level but you don't need that, and it is totally unnecessary at the MS and HS level since there are health teachers already in the building. many states require special certifications and/or trainings though.

I still have less than 1 year nursing experience(coming up on a year soon), but was hired at my old high school of about 1500 students after working 6 months on a med-surg floor. I actually still work per diem there since I know I need to keep my skills up for now, being so new (well I'm currently 9 months pregnant and on hiatus until after giving birth.) Plus, the need for extra money haha.

I did really well at my interview and the asst. superintendent (who went to HS with my dad, they're not friends but ran into each other and were talking) told him a few weeks ago that I was who they picked as soon as I walked out the door they knew it'd be me. I'm just saying - interviewing well (aka being friendly, good personality, having prepared answers that don't sound prepared LOL) can do wonders for lack of experience too! I have an ADN degree but also have a BA in a non-nursing field, which I'm sure didn't hurt.

I love it, even though I get frustrated sometimes being the only health care professional. The schedule is awesome, benefits are awesome, pay sucks lol. I am guaranteed a 2.5% raise a year though; I'm in the teacher's union which is pretty awesome. i'm a state employee, will get a full pension and can retire after 30 years (i'm in my 20s, so i'll be in my 50s when I can technically retire). No annoying nursing management lol. I work closely with the district NP who I get along with really well. But like I said, teachers and administrators WILL questions lots of things you do and think they know better... even though they have no clue!

fetch, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2013

Oh, thought of another thing to pass along - when you apply for a job and get an interview, make sure you know who's going to be in the interview. If there will be principals there, remember that they are used to interviewing teachers, and teachers usually prepare a portfolio and/or multimedia demonstration to show off their teaching style.

I used my teacher friends (and teacher wife!) as a guide and test-reader and prepared a portfolio that I got bound at a local Kinko's, it was a couple hours of work and maybe $7 for 8 copies. The portfolio had my cover letter and resume, two references, my skills checklist from nursing school (I applied a year after I graduated so it was still recent), and then a few examples of paperwork for diabetics. Include your sources! I made sure to credit, both verbally and on the paperwork, the school nurse that I had shadowed and based the paperwork on. I also added a footer with APA citation for the American Diabetes Association MyFoodAdvisor webpage - and then in the interview, I made sure to talk about what a great new technology resource that is, to allow diabetic students to look up foods from home right on a clinic computer.

The nursing supervisor knew I probably wouldn't be using any of that portfolio in my clinic - I don't even have any diabetics this year - but the principals loved it and it showed I was willing to go a little extra.

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2013

I'm a BSN Nurse and I have been a school nurse since February of this year and I'm currently working in my 2nd District (I also worked as a Camp Nurse over the summer, but that's a whole nother story). I got my first job through an agency and when my contract ended in June I got the position at my current district as a full employee. I'm in charge of 2 high schools (2000 and 1900 students at each) and 1 continuation school (about 100-150 students at any given time). I'm the only health profession at all the schools. I go to one school Mondays and Tuesdays, the 2nd Wednesday and Thursdays, and the continuation school Friday mornings and I rotate between my main schools Friday afternoons. I love my job, but it is hard. I sometimes have to run between schools-like yesterday I ran to another school twice. But the staff is super supportive in helping me manage students. I do have a staff member at each site who passes meds for me so I don't have to worry about that. A big part of my job is managing supplies and making sure my staff have their first aid kits stocked for when I'm not around.

I'm not in the teacher's union and I don't get pay increases for college work and higher degrees. I'm considered Admin so I start off making a lot anyway. I am under the California Teacher's Retirement and I get pretty great benefits. I'm pretty independent, but I do have my boss which is the Director of Special Ed. Although some staff feel like I work for them and I'm not their colleague...ahem. I do love my job but it is an easy, relaxing job where you pass out bandaids all day. I'm almost always on my toes and then there's the paperwork. Mountains of it on my computer and my desk.

I recommend joining the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) and your State's School Nurse Organization. Lots of resources and great support. You will always be learning on the job with everything you do so don't worry that you don't know everything. You will also learn about the laws and what you need to do as a School Nurse in your State. It's also a great way to see if your District or school is on the up and up with their board policies and procedures.

Also, in my state in order to become a Credential School Nurse you need to already have your BSN and RN license. You will get a temporary 5 year School Nurse license from the first school district you work. You have 5 years to complete a School Nurse Credential Program (there's located at a few State University's and 1 private) and have at least 2 years working as a school nurse. Then you get your Permanente School Nurse Credential license. So it's a pretty big commitment to do it. I plan to apply to programs next summer. Also, well depending on your district and what program you apply to, you need to take a university Audiology class that will qualify you to become certified at the State and do hearing screening on your students. I'm taking the class now and I can't wait to start doing my hearing screenings in the Spring.

Good luck!

dfs1961 · Nov 25, 2013

I have to disagree about the money. I make about the same that I made as a new grad in my hospital job. Around $30 an hour. I essentially work part-time. In 13 years, when I max out the pay schedule, I will be making $80k+ for part-time work (if you calculate the hours, plus vacations, etc., it is essentially 180 days a year). $80k for 180 days a year, plus great benefits and a pension, plus no weekends, holidays, home by 3pm. Quality of life, being there for my children and spouse - life is indeed great.

SassyTachyRN · Nov 25, 2013

I got about a $4k increase to come from 3yrs of hospital experience to school nursing. I went from hourly to salary. I work 191 days a year and get paid year round. I absolutely love it!

denziou · Nov 26, 2013

My friends...I'll start my job as a School Nurse in the 5 boroughs of NY. This experience is quite new to me. Any suggestions? Help? Information? Just to lessen my anxiety...hahaha! Thanks all for the help.