LPN School nurse?

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Hi, I was interested in becoming a school nurse but I was wondering if you had to be an RN to apply for the job. If you can be an LPN what is the process for applying?

I find it frustrating that LPNs and RNs cannot be hired in our district (only BSNs, for the reasons given in support of that practice), but that since the district doesn't have enough money to staff all the schools, they hire unlicensed "health aides." Great.

If an LPN has to be supervised, as I well understand they do, then why not have a BSN in charge of the entire program and available for BSN type duties, with full time LPN on site at the schools? At least we'd have someone with some experience and education in there!

Four times this year I have had issues with the school "health aide". Once she got the medications mixed up and tried to give my daughter the wrong inhaler. My daughter kept insisting that it wasn't the right one (it was ANOTHER CHILD'S) and was refusing. The aide didn't give up until my dd started crying, and the secretary came in and then called me to clarify. Another time I just happened to be in the office when one of my oldest dd's friends came in for her inhaler. She was in a full-blown asthma attack, but apparently, since she had come in just an hour before to use her albuterol, the school health aide just told her to go back to class, and come in in an hour (it was ordered q2hour prn). She had audible wheezes, and her lips and nails were dusky. I was like, "Whoa, this girl is not moving much air, honey!" and had her sit in the office while I gave her her inhaler and called her mom to her come and get her. The girl went directly to the peds office, who had her then admitted directly to the hospital. Her O2 sat was in the mid 80s. The health aide was totally clueless! She would have sent her back to class in that condition!

Two other times she has inappropriately assessed my children. Once, when my daughter fell from the top of the slide and hit something, she applied HEAT to her back. Lovely. Good think nothing was ruptured. How about some ICE? And even though she hit her head, no neuro assessment was done. And she didn't call me; I heard about it from my daugher after school. Another time my youngest had a fever, but the health aide gave her some water to drink (she, the health aide, told me this herself when I questioned her about it) while she went to find the thermometer--of course her temp was normal when she took it two minutes later, despite it in reality being over 103. Each time something like this has happened, I have complained to the school nurse and the principal. Apparently to no avail.

I'm thinking of applying for the health aide position next year. I wonder if they would let me? At least my kids would be safe!!!

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i'm a "school nurse" & i'm a lvn they just barely started hiring lvn....but we work closely with the rn's....we arent allow to call ourself school nurse we have to introduce ourself as lvn

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Specializes in School Nursing.
i'm a "school nurse" & i'm a lvn they just barely started hiring lvn....but we work closely with the rn's....we arent allow to call ourself school nurse we have to introduce ourself as lvn

:welcome: Great for you. Hope you enjoy the job. It's a shame they can't call you what you are....A NURSE ! You have a wonderful career !

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it's funny how i just log in earlier today saying i cant call myself a "school nurse" but as a LVN but now i just got a letter saying we cant even say I'm a LVN...Now I have to say i'm health care support providerII...What the heck is that?....My title just totally change...In a way i'm totally piss of I didnt work my butt off at school just to be call a health care provider I earn those initals back of my name....sorry i just needed to vent it out thanks

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Specializes in School & Emergency Room.

in east texas you can be a lpn. i've done it for 14 years now. i love it!

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Specializes in ICU, PICC Nurse, Nursing Supervisor.

Not so , my city has LVN's in every school, but the high school has a RN (ADN). I am in North Johnson County. I will also add that my good friend's mother is a RN she works at one of the high school in Ft Worth there are LVN's that work with her and there is also a LVN working at the elem where my daughter went (West Ft worth). There was also a add in the paper during the summer for a LVN school nurse for the Rio Vista district.

I'm not sure where the original poster is from, but in North Texas also, you have to be BSN. I've never understood why.
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In UT, a BSN is preferred in the school district that I work in, but they will hire an ADN with 2 years of nursing experience. I just started as a school nurse and I love it. I will be finishing an RN-BSN program in Dec. :mortarboard:

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Hello Mamajama,

I saw your response to being a school nurse. I enjoy it too. I have been a school nurse since 2000. Sometimes I tell myself that I will quit and find another job. But each year I return for another school year. I love the hours and the summers off. I'm not on the site too much. I'm doing the Excelsior RN program. I've been an LPN since 1982. What are some of your challenges as being a school nurse? How many schools do you serve? What is your student to nurse ratio? Are you a member of NASN?

I love Joel Osteen!

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Specializes in ICU/Cosmetic Sx/Lasers/Education/School/.

I have worked as an RN over four years in ICU the entire time, also did two years in an Operating Room once a week for a Cosmetic Surgery Center and I was the D.O.N. there. But quit when my classes were held the same night as surgery days.

I have applied for a School Health Nurse Position in two counties in the state of MD. I am an RN (associate degree and bachelors degree) and now working on a Master's Degree. One county it is an elementary school FT position and the other county will have me go to an elementary school, middle school, and high school and then place me in one part time. All you school nurses/LPNsLVNs/Health Aides, which do you like best and why? Any stories on school nursing would be great. I think I would enjoy it. I really want away from the hospital and bedside nursing. I love the ICU, but it wears down on the mind and body after awhile. Seeing people pass away is so sad. And I have memories of all that, great ones, but sad. I want something different. I know the pay is probably way lower than what I am use too. What is the average pay in School Health Nursing? I look forward to your responses!!!!

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Specializes in geriatrics, pediatrics.

I've been in both situations...I myself prefer being stationary. I currently work between two schools. I work at an elementary school from 8-12, go to lunch and then head over to the middle school about 12:30 and work to 4. It dies down around 11:45 at the elementary school when the kids start going to lunch...but then I have to pick up and go to the other school. It dies down at the middle school at 3:40, and then I have to leave 20 minutes later!!! It's very hard to get any charting and care plans complete.

At my previous place of employment I was there all day long (unless I left for my lunch)!

I felt more like part of the "team" when I worked at the school I was previously at b/c I really got to know the teachers and administration. I participated in activities, etc...Where I am now, nobody really knows me and I don't know anyone :( I can't participate in activities at both schools, and don't want to chose one over the other!

I love my job as a school nurse though! I would never want to do anything else :)

Well, that's my two cents worth! Hope it's helpful :)

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Specializes in ICU/Cosmetic Sx/Lasers/Education/School/.

In Maryland, the School Health Nurse Position I applied for stated you must have a BSN.

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