Become a School Nurse
School Nurse Training and Education Requirements
To become a school nurse, it is mandatory to first earn a nursing degree from an accredited program. State requirements vary, so it is important to learn the requirements in your state before choosing a nursing program. Some states may also require a master’s degree, or a teaching certificate, or a specialized certificate in school nursing. School nurses are usually hired by private schools or universities, the Department of Health, the Board of Education, or other public health departments or agencies. Click here to find an accredited program for school nurses.
Job Description and Duties
A school nurse is a specialized path in nursing that centers around caring for students and helping ensure their well-being. School nurses are responsible for promoting health, providing screening, and intervening when there are health problems. They ensure that students and the school meet compliance with state health regulations, monitor immunizations, administer some medications, care for students with chronic health problems, provide screenings or referrals for health problems, and also provide some basic health education for students. They also serve as a liaison between students, families, and healthcare providers. The American Academy of Pediatrics describes the school nurse as having a “central management role,” in which they are responsible for working with doctors, specialists, and public health agencies to be certain that children are served with complete health services.
School Nurse Salary and Job Outlook
Healthcare is one of the fastest growing professions in the country, with nursing facing many shortages while healthcare organizations both private and public struggle to fill nursing positions with qualified applicants. Additionally, health services and education have come together to fill a need and demand for more complex and extensive school health services. Schools today are taking on more and more responsibility for students’ well-being, and school nurses play a huge role in this new paradigm, orchestrating these services in a way to best serve the school and its students.
The salary for a school nurse can vary, and depends on school, region, and years of experience. According to salary.com, the national median is $43,000. In many states, school nurses are on the same pay scale as teachers, and in general earn less than full-time registered nurses working in hospitals. However, they also receive the same benefits that teachers do, and would have their summers off.
Explore the accredited nursing programs below. Remember that states vary in their requirements to become a school nurse, but all school nurses must hav an RN license. Most states require a bachelor's degree while many are now requiring a master's degree. Here you will find listed a number of online RN to BSN programs as well as several MSN and school nurse certificate programs. Request information from those programs that best fit your needs to learn more.
School Nurse Programs by State
Arizona
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Family/Nurse, Health Admin, School Nurse, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing Health Care, Nursing-Informatics, Practitioners, Practical Nurse, Family/Nursing Practitioner
Campuses: Phoenix (various locations), Southern Arizona
Arkansas
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, School Nurse
Campuses: NW Arkansas (various locations)
California
Azusa Pacific University - School of Nursing
Programs Offered: Adult CNS, Family NP, Nursing Admin, Nursing Education, Parent / Child CNS, Parish Nursing, Psychiatric Mental Health NP, School Nurse Services, Second Careers & Nursing
Campuses: Azusa
Loma Linda University - School of Nursing
Programs Offered: Adult & Aging Family CNS, Adult NP, Family NP, Growing Family CNS, Neonatal Critical Care NP, Pediatric NP, School Nursing
Campuses: Loma Linda
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, Nurse Practitioners, School Nurse, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Health Care/Ed, Vocational Nurse, Family/Nurse Practitioners
Campuses: Bay Area (various locations), Central Valley, Sacramento, San Diego, Southern California
Colorado
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Health Care, School Nurse
Campuses: Various Locations
Florida
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Health Care, School Nurse
Campuses: Ft. Lauderdale, Jacksonville, Orlando, Tampa
Hawaii
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Health Care, School Nurse
Campuses: Various Locations
Kansas
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, School Nurse
Campuses: Wichita
Michigan
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, School Nurse
Campuses: Detroit, West Michigan
Nevada
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, School Nurse
Campuses: Las Vegas
New Jersey
Monmouth University - Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing & Health Studies
Programs Offered: Adult NP, Family NP, Forensic Nursing, Nursing Admin, Nursing Education, Psychiatric and Mental Health, School Nurse
Campuses: West Long Branch
Seton Hall University - College of Nursing
Programs Offered: Adult NP, Clinical Nurse Leader, Gerontological NP, Health Systems Admin, Nursing, Nursing Admin, Nursing Case Mgmt, Nursing Ed, Pediatric NP, School Nursing
Campuses: South Orange
Ohio
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Health Care, School Nurse
Campuses: Cleveland
Oklahoma
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Health Care, School Nurse
Campuses: Various Locations
Wisconsin
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
Programs Offered: Business Admin, Health Admin, Health Care Ed, Health Care Mgmt, Nursing, Nursing-Informatics, Nurse Practitioners, Nursing Health Care, School Nurse
Campuses: Various Locations
Accredited Online Programs for School Nurses
University of Phoenix College of Health and Human Services
University of Phoenix nursing programs are designed to develop the professional knowledge and skills of working registered nurses and are for those who want to pursue more advanced positions in today's challenging health care environment. Request free information from University of Phoenix to learn more.
Walden University School of Nursing
Walden University School of Nursing graduates have the knowledge and skills to be leaders in their profession. You may choose to specialize in Education, Informatics or Leadership & Management. Request free information from Walden University to learn more.
Jacksonville University School of Nursing
Request free information from Kaplan University School of Nursing to learn more about their online RN to BSN and Masters in Nursing Programs.
Kaplan University School of Nursing
Request free information from Kaplan University School of Nursing to learn more about their online RN to BSN and Masters in Nursing Programs.
