Do you want to be a school nurse? The information below and elsewhere on this web site will be of value to you.
In addition, you will want to find out more about school nursing in your area and the specific requirements. One of NASN’s Affiliate School Nurse Organizations on the state level can help you learn more – click here for the NASN Affiliate contact information in your area.
What do school nurses do?
The Definition of School Nursing: School nursing is a specialized practice of professional nursing that advances the well being, academic success, and life-long achievement of students. To that end, school nurses facilitate positive student responses to normal development; promote health and safety; intervene with actual and potential health problems; provide case management services; and actively collaborate with others to build student and family capacity for adaptation, self management, self advocacy, and learning.
The following list comes from NASN's brochure titled, "Health and Learning: The Critical Link for Academic Success" and reflects a partial description of the school nurse role:
- Ensures compliance with school entry health requirements such as immunizations;
- Provides care and case management for children with chronic health problems;
- Monitors security and safe administration of medications;
- Assures the health and safety of the school students and staff;
- Manages disaster preparedness and emergency service plans;
- Provides health education and staff wellness programs;
- Assures student compliance with state and local regulations related to health and safety; and
- Identifies school health needs and advocates for necessary resources.
NASN documents outlining the school nurse role:
- Role of the School Nurse, an NASN Issue Brief – click here
- Delegation of Care in the School Setting, an NASN Issue Brief – click here
- Privacy Standards for Student Health Records, an NASN Issue Brief – click here
- Mental Health and Illness, an NASN Issue Brief – click here
- The Role of the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in the School Setting, an NASN Position Statement – click here
Other documents outlining the school nurse role:
- The Role of the School Nurse in Providing School Health Services
from the American Academy of Pediatrics – Committee on School Health - click here
Who hires school nurses?
Local Education Agency's Boards of Education
Departments of Health
Public Health Departments and Agencies
Hospitals, hospital districts
Private, Parochial and Charter schools
Universities
Some places to begin your search for positions are:
• Boards of Education Web sites
• NASN's Employment Center Listings
• School nurse associations on the State or Local level
• Teachers-Teachers.com
Resources:
In our BookStore:
Click here to browse the BookStore
- School Nursing: A Comprehensive Text
- School Nurse Scope and Standards of Practice, an NASN booklet (93 pages)
- The Role of the School Nurse, an NASN Brochure
- School Nurses Supporting Student Success, an NASN Brochure
Web Links:
Certification:
National Certification Preparation Information (requires NASN Member login) – click here