Required education
ADN or BSN
Average annual salary
$26k–$57k
Attributes
Independent
Work on your own or even start your own practice, in some states.
Patient-facing
Work hands-on, directly with patients.
Structured
Follow a routine that allows you to anticipate and prepare for every situation.
Varied
Take on different tasks, patients, and situations every day.
You’ll use your skills to manage a wide range of responsibilities and maintain a healthy learning environment.
What you’ll do
Advocacy
You’ll speak up for children that may need social services intervention.
Assessment
You’ll perform hearing and eye tests.
Communication
You’ll work with parents and family physicians.
Education
You’ll teach students about healthcare and growth development.
Treatment
You’ll administer medication, provide basic first aid, perform procedures for students with physical disabilities, and monitor conditions such as diabetes and asthma.
Where you’ll work
- Daycare centers
- Schools
- Universities
How to become a School Nurse
01
Get an Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) or Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).
02
Pass the NCLEX-RN.
03
Work as a Registered Nurse, gaining three years or 4,000 hours of experience.
04
Pass the School Nurse Certification exam through the National Board for Certification of School Nurses.
05
You’re ready to work as a School Nurse.
Join an Organization
Become a member of a School Nurse organization to find career opportunities, learn from your colleagues, and support the profession.
Related Organizations
Children were missing school on a regular basis because of treatable diseases, so a nurse, Lina Rogers, RN, was brought into the school system to see if she could make a difference. The rate of absences decreased drastically, and school nursing grew to be a critical nursing specialty.
A Substance Abuse Nurse’s role is also patient-facing.
A Parish Nurse is another type of community nurse.
Related from Johnson & Johnson Nursing
Many school nurses were already overwhelmed, but as districts across the country return to school amid COVID-19, they are facing the profound challenge of ensuring both student and staff safety. Six school nurses share their thoughts on the pandemic and how they’re innovating to adapt.2020-09-21T16:34:33.807Z
