School Nurse or Health Aide

[Keeperofbandages, LPN]

For those of you with nursing licenses, does your school refer to you as the school nurse or health aide? Last year on the website I was referred to as the school nurse. This year I am referred to as the health aide (I am an LPN).

[UrbanHealthRN, BSN, RN]

Oh good grief. Maybe if you're working in the health office alongside an RN, and they want to differentiate your titles so folks don't get confused, then "health aide" is ok. But you are a nurse, and if you're the only nurse in that school....then you're the school nurse, right? I'd want to know who came up with that dumb idea.

[Bulldogs, CNA, EMT-B]

I am a CNA I am referred to as the District Nurse or school nurse because I am the only one. But my region representative told me a few years ago that I should not refer to my self as the school nurse or the district nurse since I am not a nurse. She explained it could became a legal matter for misrepresenting myself.

[Sayyadina, BSN]

That makes sense to me.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

You are a LICENSED practical NURSE. You are nobody's health aide and don't let them forget it.

In seriousness, I'd try to get it changed. That just seems odd.

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

On 8/2/2019 at 2:19 PM, pennyeary said:

I am a CNA I am referred to as the District Nurse or school nurse because I am the only one. But my region representative told me a few years ago that I should not refer to my self as the school nurse or the district nurse since I am not a nurse. She explained it could became a legal matter for misrepresenting myself.

My CNA at my old school could do a lot of stuff and I miss her every day. But I would strongly recommend that you attempt to get that changed because it could result in an odd legal misunderstanding. It's nothing against you or your abilities, but it's a certification/licensure issue.

[peacockblue]

Our district has 2 Certified School Nurses as is required by Pennsylvania state law. (1:1500) all of our other nurses are RNs who are listed as nurse aids. It is a way to keep them in the support union and pay them way less and give them lesser benefits. It is shameful in my opinion. This is how most of the local districts operate. Because the CSNs are in the teacher union and make teacher wages.

[lvntrail, LPN]

I am a LVN, sometimes refered to as the 'site nurse' to differentiate from the RCSN in correspondence. An unlicensed employee has worked with the 'health assistant' title. :) I'm sure people called her nurse, but no one calls me health assistance.

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

On 8/5/2019 at 12:05 PM, ruby_jane said:

You are a LICENSED practical NURSE. You are nobody's health aide and don't let them forget it.

In seriousness, I'd try to get it changed. That just seems odd.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[BettyGirard, BSN]

We refer to LPN and RNs as nurse even if they are hired in a position that doesn't require those certifications. I've had people hired as aides with RN. Usually, they are waiting for a nurse slot to open up in the district. I'm sure their HR stuff says aide but we don't treat them or have them work below their certification.

Just went through this when they wanted to require an LPN for the discipline office monitor and I said if they're going to require a nurse for that position, they need to call it that.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I would read the job description for 'health aide' in your district and make sure that it is an actual nursing job. This could be an issue when it comes to renewing your license. If you job isn't technically a nursing job, you're no longer working as a nurse in this school.

[lifelearningrn, BSN, RN]

I also want to add that I would not call myself or refer to myself as 'health aide'. Like the others have said, you're a LISENCED NURSE and you're working in the capacity of school nurse, and thus, you're the SCHOOL NURSE.