There are many directions that you can go with your career in nursing, but many find that school nursing is one of the most rewarding paths that a nurse can take. At a glance, the idea of becoming a school nurse might seem a bit on the boring side, doling out band-aids and calling parents to pick up kids who have fallen victim to the latest stomach bug. The reality, though, is that school nursing is a very challenging and rewarding career for those who decide to go into the field. Here are four reasons school nursing is a rewarding career choice.
Qualities Of A School Nurse
School nurses make a real difference in the lives of their students, and they often form powerful connections with the students in their care. Often a positive role model for students and teachers, nurses tend to have the following qualities:
- Active Listeners
- Compassionate Care
- Adaptable
- Creative
What Does A School Nurse Do?
What exactly does a school nurse do? The overall health and well-being of students is the biggest priority in a school nurse’s role. They are responsible for providing direct care to students, as well as working with teachers, staff, and families to create a healthy school environment. Most importantly, they support student learning by promoting healthy lifestyles and managing chronic health conditions.
- Supports students’ success
- Address physical, emotional, mental, and social needs
- Leaders within the school and community
- Creating, updating, and implementing Individualized Healthcare Plans
4 Reasons School Nursing Is Rewarding
School nursing is a rewarding career choice for those who are looking to make a difference in the lives of children. School nurses play an important role in the lives of their students, providing them with compassionate care and guidance. There are several reasons that School Nursing is rewarding, but we’ve narrowed it down to these four.
Convenient Schedule
Let’s be honest here. That whole weekends and summers off part of being a school nurse? Not a bad job perk at all. School nursing can be a wonderful career for nurses who have children or are looking to start a family down the road, as the schedule typically works out that there are few days that they need to go to work when their school-aged children are at home and need care.
Competitive Salary
As a school nurse, you can expect to earn a competitive salary. The average school nurse’s salary is $58,000 per year, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages vary between the different school districts and experience levels. In addition to a competitive salary, school nurses often receive benefits such as health insurance and retirement plans when using Soliant. These benefits can add even more value to your career as a school nurse.
Extensive Use of Knowledge
The job of a school nurse goes far beyond dealing with tummy aches and sniffles until mom or dad can pick up their ailing little ones. School nurses are very often the caregiver that picks up on deeper issues and catches the signs and symptoms of both mental and physical problems in the students that they care for. They also have the opportunity to work with students who have chronic medical issues, using their knowledge and training in the field to help provide daily care for conditions like diabetes, epilepsy, severe allergies, and more.
The Chance to Make a Difference
Over the years, everyone in the education field, including school nurses, will have a positive impact on the lives of children. Most often, there will be several children whose lives you will influence in your job as a school nurse. Whether you speak up when you sense a problem at home, listen when they need an adult they can trust, or just provide comfort when they’re not feeling their best, children will remember their favorite school nurse fondly and think of you often as they grow older.
Final Thoughts On Why School Nursing Is Rewarding
These are just a few of the more popular and obvious benefits of choosing a career path in school nursing. Every school nurse will have their own unique list of reasons why they find their job to be rewarding. If you’re looking for a challenging job that makes a difference in the lives of children, while offering great perks and benefits, this is definitely a career to consider.
