School Nurse – Career and Education Profile

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School nurses work with children to provide non-emergency care in an educational setting. You can also work as a school nurse in a more adult setting by working at a college or university.

Job Responsibilities

School nurses are trained to respond in case of an emergency, but your normal duties will be to help children who get sick during the school day. You’ll provide care such as taking temperature, recording vital signs, administering medications, doing simple routine check-ups, and providing dressing for wounds that don’t need more serious medical attention. You make also be tasked with administrative duties, such as keeping student records organized and calling parents when a child needs to go home. Some school nurses go on to work in a college setting, where you’ll deal with many of the same problems, but also offer advanced services and educate students who may be at risk.

Salary and Career Options

According to reports, school nurses make a wide range of salaries, from less than $20,000 annually for part-time workers to more than $75,000 annually. On average, school nurses make around $57,000 annually. Most schools explicitly hire nurses, not doctors, so outlook in this field is good. If you want to advance in your career, you can become an advanced practice nurse or consider getting an additional degree in counseling.

Educational Requirements

Most schools require you to have at least a bachelor’s degree in nursing, though some accept applications from all RNs, even those who just have an associate’s degree. In addition to having your license as an RN, to work as a school nurse, you need to be certified by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses, and some schools require you to have a master’s degree in the field.

LPN to RN College Programs

With some additional schooling, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) can become a registered nurse (RN), opening doors to more job opportunities and higher salaries. The following is a list of schools with the best online LPN to RN degree programs offered by accredited colleges. You can request information by clicking the college's logo.

LPN to RN (BSN)	Indiana State University—ISU’s LPN to BSN degree program is the only online LPN to RN training program in the United States. LPNs and LVNs who complete this program can earn their NLNAC-approved Bachelor of Science degree in nursing entirely online. Upon completion, graduates should meet all of the prerequisites for becoming an RN. Read an in-depth review of Indiana State University.
LPN to RN LPN to ADN LPN to BSN	The College Network—Earn your LPN to RN (ADN) degree completely online with no campus attendance and no wait list. Learn from the convenience of home at your own pace, and earn an NLNAC-accredited associate’s degree in less time and for less money than traditional campus programs. Read an in-depth review of The College Network.
	Select a subject and degree level, then click "Find My Degree" to browse 100+ online nursing schools offering relevant accredited programs.
BS in Nursing RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Education MSN in Nurse Informatics MSN in Nurse Management	Walden University—Founded in 1970, Walden University is dedicated to providing education for a higher purpose. The Nursing School confers degrees at the bachelor’s and master’s level, which provides further study in health informatics, nursing education, and nursing leadership/management. Walden is one of the biggest providers of online master and doctorate programs with over a hundred degrees offered at each level.
RN to BSN MS in Nursing (MSN) MSN in Adult Health RN to MSN in Nurse Education Accelerated RN to MSN	South University—South University’s College of Nursing offers numerous degree programs for aspiring nurses. Those looking for a BSN degree can enter into the RN to BSN and complete it within 18 months. South also offers the following master’s degree-level programs: MS in Nursing (MSN), MSN in adult health nurse practitioning, MSN in nurse education, and an accelerated RN to MSN.
RN to BSN RN to MSN MSN in Nurse Administration MSN in Nurse Education	Kaplan University—Kaplan University’s RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs feature curriculums that provide registered nurses with the tools to graduate with BSN and MSN degrees. The MSNs in Nurse Administration or Nurse Education feature curriculums that teach methods in management and education in order to prepare students for leadership and educator positions with in the nursing field.