Becoming a school nurse

[nycNurse2b]

I have been considering becoming a school nurse on and off for the past year. I keep getting frustrated that research tells me I'm going to have to go to school to the tune of $14000-$35000 depending on the school to obtain the certification. Am I reading this right? If so I feel waaaay nervous to drop that money and gamble that I'd be able to find a job . Considering there is only 1 nurse sometimes 2 at the schools around here the jobs are not plentiful.

I'm in NJ by the way.

any/all insight appreciated!

[usernamernbsn1]

No offense, but that's pretty sad. Is the title "nurse"?

Again, unclear what is sad. Cheers!

[usernamernbsn1]

NJ requires a RN/BSN plus post bac/masters credits in school nursing plus school nurse certification from the DoE. You can be a substitute school nurse without the post-bac/masters level credits but to be hired as staff you must have DoE certification.

Graduate level credits vary from $400-$1500 per credit hour. No it's not cheap. There are not emergency certificates right now as there isn't a high demand as there are mostly substitute school nurse positions posted. Pay for sub school nurses in NJ range from $65-$150/ day depending on the district.

Private schools don't always have to abide by DoE requirements so RN/BSN may be sufficient for private or parochial schools.(plus DoE fingerprint clearance. BoN background clearance is not transferrable to schools)

will said school system reimburse as you work as many school systems do for their teachers?

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

will said school system reimburse as you work as many school systems do for their teachers?

Only if already employed.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

Now, I'm not sure how/what or why there was confusion. I'm the first one to jump down ppl's throats who misuse the term nurse.

What I said, if this wasn't clear, was that the school system hired me as a 'health clinic assistant' at the elem level, which rarely hires or pays for RNs, and the job was not a nurse job, nor did it pay as such. I then was offered an RN level job upon graduation from my BSN program & passing boards. That job was 'school nurse,' req'd an RN, and was put in middle schools, high schools and the elementary schools which reqd. I was never claiming to be anything I was not and you can apologize now.

It's if they referred to the title as nurse without requiring a license.

[Farawyn]

Now, I'm not sure how/what or why there was confusion. I'm the first one to jump down ppl's throats who misuse the term nurse.

What I said, if this wasn't clear, was that the school system hired me as a 'health clinic assistant' at the elem level, which rarely hires or pays for RNs, and the job was not a nurse job, nor did it pay as such. I then was offered an RN level job upon graduation from my BSN program & passing boards. That job was 'school nurse,' req'd an RN, and was put in middle schools, high schools and the elementary schools which reqd. I was never claiming to be anything I was not and you can apologize now.

I'm not apologizing for misunderstanding your post. It wasn't clear. Thanks for the clarification.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Yes. The pay is low but who knew the certification as so costly?

It isn't a certification here in CA - you have to get a School Nurse Credential. Which is another 10,000 to 12,000 dollars.

You have to have a BSN and you have to have or get the credential. On a par with the teachers, so to speak. If you don't have a credential, the state grants you a temporary one and you have 5 years to complete it.

I work the same days as the teacher and get the summer and holidays off.

I have a health aide who does my immunization stuff - she's a Godsend.

[JustBeachyNurse, LPN]

The other component of NJ is for a few more grad credits you can get credentialed to teach health grades K-12. Easiest way into the public school system is to substitute and do well that way you are in the system if a full time opening occurs.

You also have the option of some of the private special needs schools also

[JerseyTomatoMDCrab, BSN]

Not that this helps with the initial cost of certification, but...

School nurses in NJ make a marvelous amount of money. The pay is excellent. My high school nurses made at least 60k a year and this was several years ago. That may be depending on the district but one of my coworkers here in MD used to sub at schools in NJ (different district) and she said the same thing.

If I ever make my way back to the beautiful Garden State, you can bet I will be getting certified to make that kind of $$.

[usernamernbsn1]

No law is broken if you don't call yourself a Nurse. At least in NY.

The sad part is this. I was talking to another member here last week about her son. She assumed the SN was indeed a nurse. I questioned that. Upon further investigation, she discovered the SN was a HS grad who was CPR certified. Working UNDER an RN. But still being called the "SN". The parents who don't know to question this may assume that their child is getting a BETTER level of care.

That is sad. The people they will hire in my district to be health clinic assistants only need a high school diploma, cpr & a week long training from them.

[usernamernbsn1]

Not that this helps with the initial cost of certification, but...

School nurses in NJ make a marvelous amount of money. The pay is excellent. My high school nurses made at least 60k a year and this was several years ago. That may be depending on the district but one of my coworkers here in MD used to sub at schools in NJ (different district) and she said the same thing.

If I ever make my way back to the beautiful Garden State, you can bet I will be getting certified to make that kind of $$.

Experienced school nurses in my district make $100k +.

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