School Nurse

What is a school nurse?

School nurses provide health services in schools and other educational settings. Their goal is to treat student injuries or illnesses and advise students, their parents or guardians, and staff on health issues.

What does a school nurse do?

Apart from injuries and sudden ailments, school nurses may also support students with chronic illnesses and disabilities – for example, by administering medication to them (e.g. insulin injections). School nurses also promote health-related habits (e.g. proper hand-washing) and ensure compliance with national and local health policies for schools.

• Providing healthcare to students with acute or chronic health problems
• Conducting screenings and writing referrals for health services 
• Developing and monitoring health plans for students 

What skills do you need to be a school nurse?

School nurses usually have a degree in Nursing and a valid national certification. School nurse job duties require excellent organizational and communication skills. Knowledge of basic computer software is a plus, as nurses often perform administrative tasks, such as updating students’ medical records. When crafting your own school nurse job description, make sure to include all relevant skills as requirements.

Job brief

We are looking for an experienced school nurse to join our institution.

Your primary responsibility will be to provide health services to students when they are at school. For example, you’ll treat injuries and and mild to acute sicknesses, or support students with chronic illnesses. You’ll also help with preventive care by educating students on how to avoid communicable diseases and having proper hygiene. 

To succeed in this role, you must have excellent organizational skills and the ability to communicate with children, their parents or guardians, and teachers. If you meet these requirements, and you also have a genuine interest in improving children’s lives, we’d like to hear from you.

Responsibilities

• Provide basic healthcare to students in case of injury or acute illness
• Develop health plans for students with chronic illnesses and disabilities
• Educate students and staff on healthy habits, such as proper nutrition and hygiene 
• Detect health problems in early stages through regular screenings
• Keep track of students’ vaccination records
• Update students’ medical history 
• Ensure school environment is safe for children and school staff (e.g. prevention of communicable diseases)
• Write referrals for pediatricians and other health specialists
• Ensure compliance with national and local health laws

Requirements

• Provide basic healthcare to students in case of injury or acute illness
• Develop health plans for students with chronic illnesses and disabilities
• Educate students and staff on healthy habits, such as proper nutrition and hygiene 
• Detect health problems in early stages through regular screenings
• Keep track of students’ vaccination records
• Update students’ medical history 
• Ensure school environment is safe for children and school staff (e.g. prevention of communicable diseases)
• Write referrals for pediatricians and other health specialists
• Ensure compliance with national and local health laws