Can a Nurse Practitioner be a school nurse

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Kind of a silly question. But I am curious if an advance practice nurse can be a school nurse. I know they can't work on the floor as a nurse anymore once they have passed their exams. I was wondering if it was the same for a school nurse. Looking to take a step back and spend more time with my kids. Any help would be appreciated :)

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I'd think so.

Incidentally, I did a rotation in a large public high school which also serves as a family clinic for physicals, vaccinations, etc. We had an APRN on staff full time. She mentioned the pay wasn't phenomenal, but she picked up PRN shifts at the hospital to make up for the flexibility of her full time job at the school. I'd imagine it would be the same elsewhere.

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It may be a state difference or hospital policy but I work with a staff nurse in the ED who used to work as a Neuro Trauma NP. She is still an NP but not in our hospital. She just missed bedside so much that she came back to it. She plans on going back to work as an NP when she's older (she's only 40).

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho, ASC.
Kind of a silly question. But I am curious if an advance practice nurse can be a school nurse. I know they can't work on the floor as a nurse anymore once they have passed their exams. I was wondering if it was the same for a school nurse. Looking to take a step back and spend more time with my kids. Any help would be appreciated :)

Why is that? I've never known that an AP nurse could not work on a floor.

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Why is that? I've never known that an AP nurse could not work on a floor.

Maybe it is just that way where I live. You have to work at your highest level of education.

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Specializes in Pedi.
Maybe it is just that way where I live. You have to work at your highest level of education.

That's facility/policy specific depending on the employer.

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Specializes in psych, addictions, hospice, education.

I worked as a staff nurse even though I'm advance practice trained and certified. I just couldn't do those things my advanced training said I could do, that weren't in the role of the generic RN.

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Specializes in orthopedic/trauma, Informatics, diabetes.

We have a nurse that has passed her boards and is trying to find the right job. She is still working as a staff floor nurse.

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In some states (PA is one) you must be a certified school nurse.

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Specializes in ICU / PCU / Telemetry / Oncology.

I currently work with a FNP on my unit working as a staff RN. Can be done. Not sure why tho, never asked her.

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Specializes in Hospice + Palliative.
In some states (PA is one) you must be a certified school nurse.

Not necessarily - I'm currently working part time as a school nurse at a private elementary school in PA, and I am not certified. Ironically, in answer to the OP's question though, I am job sharing this position with a pediatric NP! (so yes, N can be a school nurse, at least in PA) However, it's important to keep in mind that she is not earning "NP" salary; she's making the same salary as I am. So, might not be the best decision financially.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

Yes, in Ohio you must be certified as well, along with at least a BSN.

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