School Nurse Salary?

tining, BSN, RN · Apr 6, 2015

I am lucky, I switched school districts and came into one that took ALL of my nursing experience - 20 years. My previous district was $47,000, my new district $59,000. I am in Texas.

kidzcare · Apr 7, 2015

I wish we were on the teacher's salary schedule. It would be a SIGNIFICANT bump up in pay and a show of respect to our position, if nothing else. We are on the "support staff" contract but the only ones in that group that require a college degree.

nycNurse2b · Apr 20, 2015

Anyone from NJ? Curious what the pay is like in the garden state!

Farawyn · Apr 20, 2015

Anyone from NJ? Curious what the pay is like in the garden state!

There are. I know it is better than NY!

Flare, ASN, BSN · Apr 20, 2015

NJ nurses typically get paid on teachers guide. Starting salary can range widely depending on district contract - one may be as low as 44k or as high as 55k right now. Then steps really depend on how the union has negotiated for that contract period - but most districts have about 18.

Tina, RN · Apr 20, 2015

$40,000 a year in NY (about 2 hours north of NYC)

The nurses are lumped in/comparable to cafeteria workers. Not even the cooks... Just the workers. *sigh*

I also work a per diem job.

NurseKitKat · Apr 21, 2015

What state are you in Calaab?

Bookworm12314 · Apr 22, 2015

Let me put it this way..The custodians and Special Ed Aides make more than i do.
I took a HUGE cut in pay from a hospital salary to be here.
However, I have great benefits, (Medical/dental/life insurance.) I am in a union and they have a lot of negotiating power.
I also love having the same days off as my son, 12 days off at Christmas, etc. And the hours can't be beat! (7:30-3:30)

I know we all love our schedule but seriously, we should demand and be paid for our expertise. No doctor would put up with this, regardless of how much time they got off or benefits they receive. Our profession, and our specialty in particular will forever be considered in terms of supplying Band-Aids unless and until we can educate administrators and parents about what we REALLY do all day. For those of us that are lucky enough to be considered faculty and part of the union, that's great. HOWEVER, we STILL have more educational requirements, certifications, and specialty expertise than the starting steps appreciate. No school nurse should HAVE to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. We need to stick together somehow. Rant over

Farawyn · Apr 22, 2015

I know we all love our schedule but seriously, we should demand and be paid for our expertise. No doctor would put up with this, regardless of how much time they got off or benefits they receive. Our profession, and our specialty in particular will forever be considered in terms of supplying Band-Aids unless and until we can educate administrators and parents about what we REALLY do all day. For those of us that are lucky enough to be considered faculty and part of the union, that's great. HOWEVER, we STILL have more educational requirements, certifications, and specialty expertise than the starting steps appreciate. No school nurse should HAVE to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. We need to stick together somehow. Rant over

I agree fully. Unfortunately, where I live, despite the less than stellar pay there are 10 nurses lined up to take my job whenever I leave.

I have a very strong senior nurse in my district who is a great advocate for me and the other nurse, and fights for hours, etc.

I am currently getting my BSN on my own. I email and CC and follow up. I am part of a small, weak union.

I don't know what else to do.

Tina, RN · Apr 24, 2015

I know we all love our schedule but seriously, we should demand and be paid for our expertise. No doctor would put up with this, regardless of how much time they got off or benefits they receive. Our profession, and our specialty in particular will forever be considered in terms of supplying Band-Aids unless and until we can educate administrators and parents about what we REALLY do all day. For those of us that are lucky enough to be considered faculty and part of the union, that's great. HOWEVER, we STILL have more educational requirements, certifications, and specialty expertise than the starting steps appreciate. No school nurse should HAVE to work multiple jobs in order to make ends meet. We need to stick together somehow. Rant over

AGREE!! Teachers have the same great schedule (I do realize that they often bring work home with them, but still). But, most of them in my school are pushing $100,000+ a year. Somehow, I should accept my $40k a year, shut up, and enjoy the summers off (while working my per diem job). Teachers have a very powerful union... Nurses in my district are not unionized.

I don't expect to make the same as teachers, since many of them do hold master's degrees and I only have a bachelor's. But, sheesh, can I at least make what the custodian makes???

nycNurse2b · Apr 29, 2015

Flare - is there any way I can find out more specific info? Is the information public anywhere? I'd really like to know if the school nurses in my county are definitely paid on the teachers scale before I pursue this any further. THANK YOU!

kidzcare · Apr 29, 2015

I did the math.

In my district, a brand new teacher is paid 25% more than a year one nurse (there is NO accounting for previous experience, all nurses are paid on the first level).

Translation: I am worth 75% of a fresh out of school teacher.