A school nurse is a special health care professional that improves
the welfare, academic success, and life-long achievement of the
students. The nature of work a school nurse performs involves many
responsibilities. Every year they must perform vision, hearing, dental,
and scoliosis health screening tests. They must be prepared to provide
emergency first aid on short notice and make sure each student has
received all of their required immunizations.
A school nurse also provides counseling for the students on chronic
diseases, nutrition, prevention of illness, and positive lifestyles.
Working with the administration to investigate cases of suspected child
abuse or neglect and training teachers and other staff members on basic
procedures that may save a student’s life are also a part of their
responsibilities.
To become a registered nurse, you need to pass a national licensing
exam and graduate from an accredited nursing school. A diploma, an
Advanced Diploma in Nursing, or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing is
required as well. From there, you can begin working as a school nurse
although it is recommended that you continue taking educational courses
to keep up to date with the fast expanding field of school nursing. The
amount of school nursing jobs available is steadily increasing,
especially the ones that involve students with special needs.
A school nurse must also have a certain set of qualities that would
relate to the environment they would be working in to be certified.
School nurses must be caring, sympathetic, and concerned for the
well-being of all the students in the school. Excellent listening
skills are required and the ability to instruct both students and
adults on a variety of health care issues. School nurses must be
trustworthy and mature individuals; they also must be sensitive to the
emotional needs of the students at all times and know when to keep
certain information confidential.