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What does a School Nurse do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A school nurse is a registered nurse who works in a school setting to promote the health and well-being of students. School nurses provide direct care to students, collaborate with teachers and staff to create a healthy school environment, and work with families to ensure that students have access to necessary health services.

School Nurse job duties include:

  • Administering first aid and emergency care to students and staff
  • Providing health assessments and screenings
  • Developing and implementing health promotion and education programs
  • Conducting home visits when necessary
  • Coordinating with school personnel, parents, and outside health care providers
  • Maintaining accurate student health records
  • Keeping abreast of developments in the field of school nursing
  • Consulting with teachers and administrators on health-related issues affecting students and staff
  • Serving as a resource on health-related topics
  • Attending meetings and workshops related to school nursing

School Nurse Job Requirements

A school nurse is a registered nurse (RN) who has specialized training in child health. Most school nurses have a bachelor’s degree in nursing, although some may have an associate’s degree. In addition to their nursing education, school nurses must complete a certification program in school nursing. Many states also require school nurses to have a few years of experience working in a pediatric setting before they can be licensed as a school nurse.

School Nurse Skills

  • Patience
  • Organization
  • Communication
  • Observation
  • Instruction
  • Assessment
  • Documentation
  • Intervention
  • Medication Administration
  • Aseptic Technique
  • Infection Control

Related: Top School Nurse Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a School Nurse

There are many steps to becoming a school nurse. The first step is to obtain a degree in nursing from an accredited college or university. Once you have obtained your nursing degree, you must then pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN). After passing the NCLEX-RN, you will need to obtain a state license to practice nursing. Once you have obtained your state license, you can then apply for a position as a school nurse.

The job of a school nurse is to promote and protect the health of students. School nurses work with students, families, teachers, and staff to create a healthy school environment. They provide care for sick and injured students, and work to prevent illness and injury. School nurses also provide education on topics such as nutrition, physical activity, safety, and disease prevention.

If you are interested in becoming a school nurse, there are many resources available to help you get started. The National Association of School Nurses (NASN) provides information on accreditation, licensure, and certification requirements. The American Nurses Association (ANA) also provides resources on careers in nursing.

Related: School Nurse Resume Example

Related: School Nurse Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

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Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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