What do you need to do after high school to become a neonatal nurse?

What Do You Need to Become a School Nurse?

• Answer:

  Registered nurses who like working with children can seek employment as school nurses. These specialized nurses provide care to students and interact with staff, parents and the community. Nurses who meet education and experience requirements are eligible to sit for the school nurse certification examination, which is required in many states. Function School nurses care for students who are injured or become ill at school. If a particular student has a chronic condition, such as asthma or diabetes, the school nurse ensures that there is an action plan in place in case that student experiences a medical emergency. During outbreaks of contagious disease, school nurses are an integral part of public health care teams. Requirements While state-by-state requirements vary, RN (registered nurse) licensure is the minimum requirement for becoming a school nurse. The RN is achieved by completing a minimum of an associate degree and passing a national certification exam. After becoming licensed as an RN, a nurse may take the test administered by the National Board for Certification of School Nurses (NBCSN). Certification The NBCSN offers an online practice test for aspiring school nurses. Candidates must meet requirements including RN licensure and completion of a bachelor's degree in nursing or a health field. The 250-question, multiple-choice exam is held twice each year and covers such subject areas as health appraisal, nursing management, health promotion and disease prevention. Potential StateUniversity.com lists a median salary of $43,296 annually for school nurses. Prospective school nurses face high competition for available openings, since school nurse jobs are considered to be less stressful than hospital nursing jobs. In addition, school nurses are able to take holidays when school is closed and are not required to work nights, weekends or overtime as hospital nurses do. Considerations While an associate degree is adequate preparation to become an RN, the certification exam for school nurses requires candidates to hold a bachelor's degree.