Employers

There are nearly 93,000 registered nurses working for educational services, according to the Department of Labor. School nurses are employed by private and public schools at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. They also work in parochial schools, vocational schools, and preschools. The National Association of School Nurses reports that school nurses also work for departments of health, public health departments and agencies, hospitals, and hospital districts.

Starting Out

Many new nurses gain practical experience in a non-school setting before they apply for employment as a school nurse. Nurses can apply directly to hospitals, nursing homes, and companies and government agencies that hire nurses. Jobs can also be obtained through school career services offices, by signing up with employment agencies specializing in placement of nursing personnel, or through the state employment office. Other sources of jobs include nurses' associations, professional journals, newspaper want ads, and Internet job sites. Additionally, the National Association of School Nurses offers job listings at its Web site, https://jobs.nasn.org.

Administrative and supervisory positions in the nursing field go to nurses who have earned at least a bachelor of science degree in nursing. Nurses with many years of experience who are graduates of the diploma program may achieve supervisory positions, but requirements for such promotions have become more difficult in recent years and in many cases require at least the bachelor of science in nursing degree.

Some school nurses may advance to the position of registered school nurse. These professionals manage and oversee health aides employed in the schools. Others become state school nurse consultants, who help school districts and school nurses provide top-quality nursing services to students. 

For job listings, visit:

• https://schoolnursenet.nasn.org/rolecareer/employmentcenter
• https://www.indeed.com/q-Nursing-jobs.html
• https://www.nurse.com/blog/category/nursing-career-and-jobs

Join the National Association of School Nurses to access training and networking resources, industry publications, and employment opportunities.

Become certified in order to show employers that you have met the highest standards set by your professions.

Volunteer or acquire a part-time job at a hospital or health care facility.

Use social media tools such as LinkedIn and Twitter to stay up to date on industry developments and learn about job openings.