School Nurse Career Overview

Many of us encountered the school nurse when we didn’t feel well or needed ice for bumps and bruises on the playground. While providing first aid care is a key part of their duties, these highly trained healthcare professionals also coordinate with the school’s healthcare team or health center to offer preventative care, health education, and counseling, among other services.

Typically employed by school systems, school nurses also work in private schools and college or university health centers. They might work for local boards of education, focusing on healthcare education. School nurse responsibilities include:

The most common work setting for school nurses is an individual school. While many schools have at least one nurse on staff to manage healthcare on campus, the National Association of School Nurses reports a significant shortage of school nurses. Only about 40% of schools have a full-time RN on staff, 35% of schools employ a part-time nurse, and 25% do not have a nurse on staff.

School nurses may have different roles and responsibilities depending on where they work.

School nurses typically provide first aid and acute care for children who become sick at school. They also provide the necessary healthcare resources to support student learning by developing programs, policies, and procedures to support overall health.

Nurse roles in college and university health centers vary from providing first aid to full urgent care or acute/emergency care. They may also develop and implement public health initiatives, health promotion plans, and work to remove health barriers to student success.

Nurses provide system-level leadership related to public health, such as vaccination management, healthcare delivery to underserved populations, infectious disease management, and increased access to health services.

Working as a school nurse is rewarding, but as with any healthcare career, there are pros and cons to the role. If you’re thinking about going in this direction, consider some of these advantages and disadvantages.

Although specific regulations and requirements vary by state, and in some cases, local school systems, the process of becoming a school nurse is consistent throughout the United States. At a minimum, a school nurse must be a licensed registered nurse (RN) and hold a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN).

On average, school nurses earn$48,330 per year, according to PayScale. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 7% employment growth rate for RNs between 2019-2029, which is faster than the average for other occupations.

School nurses are typically required to have a BSN, which traditionally takes four years to earn. However, there are different paths to earning the appropriate degree. An RN with an associate degree in nursing can complete an RN-to-BSN program in two years or an RN-to-MSN program in three years.

An NCSN is an RN who has demonstrated experience, education, and professionalism and meets the professional standards for school nursing. An NCSN has at least a BSN from an accredited nursing education program,1,000 hours of clinical practical experience, and a passing score on the rigorous exam administered by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses.

School nurses work directly with students of all ages. They also work with parents, guardians, and caregivers, as well as healthcare providers, therapists, and educational leaders. School nurses frequently collaborate with teachers to help develop individualized education plans for students who require special education or are living with chronic health conditions.

As with any nursing role, school nurses have their challenges, and they earn less than other specialists. If you want to work with children or young adults outside of a hospital or medical office setting, it may be a good fit. The working hours are typically predictable, usually aligning with the school year calendar and guaranteeing holiday and summer breaks.