Back to School School Nurses: Frontline for Student health, Safety

Salary is lower but school nurses enjoy many perks not available to private practice nurses

By Deborah Jeanne Sergeant

The shortage of nurses in the hospital setting represents a longstanding concern for the healthcare industry. It has also affected school nursing positions. One reason is the pay rate.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wages for hospital nurses is $78,070. A nursing opening that Buffalo Public Schools listed online pays between $42,749 and $50,218. But school nurses enjoy a few special perks.

Hospital nurses usually work irregular shifts and hours and are often called upon to work longer shifts than school nurses. The nature of the work means that school nurses often get to know those in their charge.

“The Buffalo Public Schools is creating real opportunities as a place where teachers and other professional such as nurses can make a difference in the lives of all students,” said Jeffrey Hammond, director of public relations and information for Buffalo Public Schools.

The demand for school nurses is widespread, although their function is important.

“The Williamsville Central School District maintains health offices in each of its schools, staffed with fully qualified, professionally licensed registered nurses,” said Nick Filipowski, executive director of communications for Williamsville Central

School District in East Amherst. “Aides are also assigned to each of our health offices to assist our school nurses in supporting the medical needs of our students.

“From providing Band-Aids to ice packs, managing acute and chronic conditions, administering medications, and educating students, families, and staff on various health promotion and prevention strategies, the work our school nurses do on a daily basis is paramount to providing a healthy, safe, and inclusive learning environment.”

Marquis Youmans, the school nurse coordinator with Greece Central School District, said that her district has openings “like everywhere. There is a need for school nurses. It’s not a profession a lot of people look at. It’s also hard because it’s such a different type of experience. You have to work with kids. The triage skills are different than a hospital.”

The summers off can be challenging because that’s two months’ less pay than elsewhere and the district typically does not have enough seasonal summer positions for everyone. Some nurses work short-term nursing assignments elsewhere during the summer.

The school nurse’s duties are manifold and in many ways are quite different from hospital nursing tasks.

“It’s past applying ice packs and

Band-Aids,” Youmans said. “There are complex needs for all kinds of things.”

She listed Type 1 diabetes, propensity for seizures and children who take maintenance medications as a few of the issues that school nurses help manage every day.

“A lot of kids need medication,” Youmans said. “Nurses are responsible for getting orders through the doctor and making sure their paperwork is up to date and being a liaison with the family about the amount of medications they take at the school.”

School nurses also help track the state-mandated immunizations and required physician screenings for school athletes. They perform hearing and vision screenings. For children whose families cannot meet these needs, school nurses work to find resources like clinics.

In addition to these medical issues, school nurses also provide a “safe space” for children’s social and emotional needs. Youmans said sometimes children stop by the nurse’s office just to stay hello or to take a break during an emotionally stressful day.

“A nurse is a big supporter of students so they know it’s a safe space,” Youmans said.

Children evidence their trust in nurses by asking health questions or bringing up concerns that they may not want to with teachers or at times with their parents such as when a girl begins menstruation during the school day.

“Over the years, I think the role of a school nurse has changed a lot,” Youmans said. “They’re a part of the team within the school system to help students, faculty and staff to help make the whole experience a positive one. They’re there to provide support and help these students in any way they can, not just medically. I’ve been doing it seven years and I love it.”

Previously, Youmans worked at Rochester Regional Health.