Everything You need to know about School Nurses There are some benefits to working as a school nurse. If you have, or plan to have children, working in an elementary school within their district will enable you to have the same hours and days as the kids. That can save on daycare cost or worrying about the kids making it home safely. Jobs of School Nurses In most cases the job of a school nurse is to be available when needed. A school nurse will see and treat conditions such as colds, flu, stomach viruses, cuts, sprains, and bruises. School nurses may also monitor children with conditions such as diabetes or seizures. On occasion rare conditions may exist with a student, in which case the nurse will monitor that as well. School nurses also secure, and administer medication as needed among students; more students now take medications than ever before. Nurses working within the school system may make the determination of a student's condition, and offer recommendations based on their findings. A school nurse keeps track of what illnesses and may call for school closing in the event of an epidemic type situation. School nurses may also sit on on parent teacher meetings if there are medical conditions for the child, or if the child is on a regimen of medication. Related: Practitioner in 3 Years Developmentally Challenged Students In the 1980’s the separation of developmentally challenged students from the mainstream population began to change. Students were transitioned into regular classrooms in most cases, in order to prepare for socialization skills. It is not uncommon for developmentally disabled children to have medical conditions, which may need to be closely monitored by a healthcare professional. In a school that there is a high population of developmentally disabled children, there may be a need for more than one nurse on staff; this is generally negotiated between school administrators and the superintendent. Common medical conditions of children include:
juvenile diabetes allergies ADHD colds stomach virus’
A condition that today's nurses must be familiar with, is anxiety. This can be social anxiety or a general anxiety disorder. This condition among children was only recognized and treated over the past 2 decades. Today the
problem of bullying is recognized, and with social media it is often done away from school grounds. Children that are being bullied may suffer extreme anxiety, and should be monitored closely, as the risk of suicide in this population is significant. The school nurse will monitor children that take anxiety medications to ensure Problems and concerns do not go unnoticed. Related: Forensic Nurses High School Nurses High school nurses have some similar responsibilities as elementary school nurses. In addition to the usual sickness and injuries, high school nurses may be available to meet with students that feel awkward, or out of place, which can result in depression. Birth control is also a subject that a high school nurse may educate students on, either in a group or individually. Parents in general, have to grant approval for discussions regarding birth control; however that is not the case in every district. School nursing can be a great fit for the right person, depending on employment needs, however, it should be considered in advance, school nurses work considerable less than hospital nurses, as well as having Holidays and weekends off. The overall annual salary of a nurse working with the school system is about half that of a nurse employed by a hospital. Benefits are comparable. School nursing has changed drastically over the years. In the 1970s, school clinics were staffed with volunteers, generally parents. The volunteers most often had little or no medical training, so care was at a minimal. Student needs were also very different then, as chronically ill students did not attend school, and children taking regular prescribed medications were much less than today. There is a demand for student nurses; many schools have 2 or more nurses on staff during school hours. For nurses that have children of school age, a position as a nurse within the school system can be ideal, essentially having worked hours and days that coincide with their own children's school days and times. If you have an interest in a school nurse position, the criteria to inquire is generally to go through the local, school, system, or in some places in the county. Salaries can often be disbursed into 12 months to avoid the lull during summer months and holidays. Nursing is essential for schools, and can be a great career for the right person. Related: International Nurses Association Please follow us on Facebook, Linkedin, Pinterest and Twitter