How do you get into school nursing?

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1. Do you have to have a school nurse certificate in NJ?

2. Do you need your BS to get the school nurse certificate?

3. How does the salary compare to being a floor nurse?

I would think school nurses probably start out with much less money than a floor nurse (similar to a teacher's salary), but in time (as in years and years) the school nurse probably makes more than a floor nurse when considering they have 2 months off plus an additional two weeks during the year. Am I correct?

4. Where do you find these jobs?

I don't know if I am looking in all the wrong places, but school nurse is not one I see too often.

Thanks :)

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

i am a school nurse in nj, i answered your questions in a copy of your original post. pm me if you need more info :D

1. do you have to have a school nurse certificate in nj? yes

2. do you need your bs to get the school nurse certificate? yes

3. how does the salary compare to being a floor nurse? you answered your own question below ;) though i wouldn;t say a whole lot less money. if you were to start cold in my district today you'd be making low 40k.

i would think school nurses probably start out with much less money than a floor nurse (similar to a teacher's salary), but in time (as in years and years) the school nurse probably makes more than a floor nurse when considering they have 2 months off plus an additional two weeks during the year. am i correct?

4. where do you find these jobs? your best bet is to start as a substitute school nurse. you don't need to be certified to sub - only need to be an rn in nj. this will help you get your feet wet and get a feel for the job. and also can get a foot in the door when they hire. though if you want to be a sub in a few different districts you have to apply to each individually. next is to begin taking classes to get certified as a school nurse. this is dept of ed certification and you have to meet their standards. depending on where in the state you are will depend on which program you should take. rutgers has a program, so do a few other places. the school you take your classes may have some leads on jobs also. i still get regular emails from the school i went to announcing openings. keep your eye on the classifieds, and www.nj.com has also had a few listings in the past. good luck!

i don't know if i am looking in all the wrong places, but school nurse is not one i see too often.

thanks :)

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Thanks. Does this apply to private schools as well? Is it possible to get a job as a school nurse as long as you are in a school nurse certif. program? Also, what is a substitute school nurse certification?

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Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

Yes - pricate schools also need certfied school nurses, You may be able to get a job and get emergency certified while taking the classes. That's actually how it went for me.

Getting certified as a sub has more to do with the district - some may want you to get a teacher sub certification, some won't. All will require you to get finger printed and you'll have to wait for board approval.

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Thanks.

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i just saw a nj school nurse job listed on craigslist - part time 9:30-2 M-F for $75 an hour. IS THIS POSSIBLE???

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I see that this is an old post. But you actually do not need to be a certified school nurse to work as a nurse in provate schools in NJ. You do need either a BSn or a BA/BS in a related field. Plus of course, you need to be an RN.

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In NJ, a certified RN school nurse can earn $70/hr??

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no way - that is a typo or a scam

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re: where to find school nurse jobs, i would google 'state of new jersey school districts' and you should be able to find a list of all of the school districts in your area. then, apply to each district (each district should have their own website and employment application). even if there is no school nurse vacancy, i would still apply because your app should last for a year on file and if for some reason a school nurse resigns (or whatever reason) in the middle of the school year, your application is already on file and available for them to contact you. Also, check New Jersey School Nurse Assoc (they may have a list of school nurse vacancies on their website). Lastly, you could also email the State of NJ Dept of Education's Health Services Director (who may or may not be an RN of School Support Services). She/he may be able to tell u about any vacancies...the latter is how i found out about a school nurse vacancy...interviewed, and got the job:)

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