School Nurse
A School Nurse provides health services to students, treating injuries and mild to acute illnesses, supporting students with chronic conditions or allergies, and educating on preventive care and hygiene. This is a sample job description from Excelon Associates that you can adapt as a template for your own hire.
What does a School Nurse do?
Reporting to the school principals, the School Nurse provides health services to students. The nurse treats injuries and mild to acute illnesses, supports students with chronic illnesses or allergies, and assists with preventive care by educating students on avoiding communicable diseases and the importance of proper hygiene. The role calls for someone who can soothe anxious children and set appropriate boundaries with adults.
It sits at the intersection of education and healthcare, delivering clinical care within a school community.
A School Nurse is a licensed nurse who delivers health services within a school, from treating injuries and acute illness to managing chronic conditions and preventive education. The role typically requires an ADN or BSN with an RN license and current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification.
What does the School Nurse handle?
Key responsibilities of a School Nurse
- Provide basic healthcare to students in case of injury or acute illness.
- Develop health plans for students with chronic illnesses, including allergies and asthma.
- Educate students on proper hygiene habits and how to avoid communicable diseases.
- Assist in teaching health and wellness education classes.
- Track students’ medical records and vaccination histories using appropriate software.
- Ensure compliance with national and local health laws.
What qualifications does the role require?
- ADN or BSN degree, RN license preferred.
- Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification.
- Previous school nurse or pediatric experience preferred.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate important health information to both children and adults.
Why is the School Nurse role important?
A school nurse keeps students safe and healthy enough to learn. The role manages everyday injuries, chronic conditions, and preventive care, and is often the first responder for health issues during the school day, which makes it essential to student wellbeing.
Because the nurse may be the only clinician on site, the strongest candidates combine sound clinical judgment with the warmth to calm a frightened child and the firmness to set boundaries with adults. That blend of competence and care defines an effective school nurse.
A hiring note from Excelon
A school nurse often works as the sole on-site clinician, so judgment and bedside manner matter as much as credentials. Through our healthcare practice, we look for RNs with pediatric or school experience and current emergency certifications who can manage chronic conditions calmly and communicate well with both children and parents.
The strongest candidates combine sound clinical judgment with the warmth to calm a frightened child.
Related sample job descriptions
School Nurse: frequently asked questions
What does a School Nurse do?
A School Nurse provides health services to students, treating injuries and mild to acute illnesses, supporting students with chronic illnesses or allergies, educating on preventive care and hygiene, and maintaining medical records.
What qualifications does the role require?
This sample role prefers an ADN or BSN degree with an RN license, current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification, and previous school nurse or pediatric experience.
Who does the School Nurse report to?
In this sample, the School Nurse reports to the School Principals and works within the school community to provide health services and support to students.
What conditions does the role manage?
The School Nurse develops health plans for students with chronic illnesses including allergies and asthma, treats injuries and acute illnesses, and educates students on avoiding communicable diseases and proper hygiene.
Why is this role important?
A school nurse keeps students safe and healthy enough to learn. The role manages everyday injuries, chronic conditions, and preventive care, and is often the first responder for health issues during the school day.
Hiring a School Nurse?
Excelon Associates recruits school nurses, pediatric nurses, and healthcare professionals for schools and health organizations across the United States through our healthcare recruitment practice. Retained executive search since 2007, headquartered in Asheville, NC, with offices in Boca Raton and Delray Beach, FL.
More Sample Job Descriptions
Templates you can adapt for your own roles.