School Nursing: Pros and Cons

10/03/10 12:10 AM

Becoming a school nurse can either be a rewarding and pleasurable career or a living nightmare.  There’s certainly something noble about devoting one’s life to the health and education of children, but on the other hand, they sure do puke a lot.  However, there are many pros and cons to be considered before deciding not only on a career in nursing, but in a specialized field like school nursing, in particular.

For starters, one must look at the level of education required.  Generally speaking, most states require that a school nurse be at least an RN (a two-year Associate’s Degree, plus you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination, or NCLEX-RN).   And some states even require a four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).  However, it is not unheard of for a Licensed Practicing Nurse (LPN) to be hired as a school nurse (only a 1-year program), so depending on where you practice, you may not need as much education as an RN or a traveling nurse.  You will, however, be required to receive certification through either the Department of Education or the Department of Health in order to become a school nurse.  It may also be mandatory to obtain education in some or all of the following areas: growth and development, child and adolescent psychology, public health, crisis intervention, handicapping conditions, sociology, and sports medicine.  Handling the health issues of ch
ildren is a pretty broad category, so be prepared for continuing education.

In terms of salary, you can expect to make less, on average, than other nursing professions.  According to national surveys, school nurses earn an average of $45,000 per year while staff nurses (RNs) tend to pull in about $55,000 and travel nurses can make upwards of $70,000 on average.  So salary does not necessarily correlate with the amount of schooling required for each of these professions.  As a school nurse, you may end up doing the same amount of (or more) schooling than other types of nurses for a lot less pay.  And with the budget crisis facing schools right now, that number could drop.

However, for most people who enter the nursing profession, it’s not really about the money.  It’s about helping people, and as a school nurse, you will certainly do that.  Your primary goal is to facilitate the health and well-being of students and to further their education.  As such, you may be responsible for a number of tasks, including health services, health education, a healthy environment, monitoring physical education and activities, counseling, parent and community involvement, and staff wellness.  And remember school-wide screenings for scoliosis and lice?  All you.  You will be the one kids come to when they’ve got chicken pox, the flu, or a sprained ankle in gym class.  You’ll have to deal with bloody noses, sore throats, and Sally-dropped-a-rock-on-my-head.  However, you will also get thank-you notes from grateful parents, adolescents seeking sexual advice, and classrooms full of kids who learn to wash their hands.  You can make a real difference in the lives of children.  You can help them stay healthy and teach them lifelong habits.  Just keep that warm, fuzzy feeling close at the times when they’re yakking all over the floor.

Posted by Heather | in Nursing | No Comments »

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