LPN School Nurse Jobs Overview
Working as a school nurse can be a very rewarding career choice for those with the right temperament and a genuine passion for student’s wellbeing. If you’re a licensed practical nurse (LPN), school nurse jobs may require supervision by an RN, depending on the laws of your state and regulations of the institution itself. While much of the job involves caring for minor injuries, headaches, and common infections, school nurses must be ready to deliver first aid and respond to emergencies.
School nurses work in a variety of academic settings, from daycare centers to colleges. Depending on the school facility and its needs, you can find full-time, part-time, contract, temporary, and per diem LPN roles in schools and other types of facilities on Credenza’s nationwide job board.
Education, Certifications, and Skills Needed for LPN School Nurse Jobs
To become an LPN (or LVN — licensed vocational nurse — in California and Texas), you’ll need to complete an accredited LPN (or LVN) program. This requires a high school diploma or GED and takes about one year to complete. The next step is passing the NCLEX-PN (National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses), after which you’ll submit the required documentation to your state board of nursing. Once you receive your license, you can practice as an LPN.
Those interested in working as school nurses are encouraged to gain experience in a related nursing speciality, such as pediatric nursing or community health. LPNs looking to boost their credentials in preparation for school nurse jobs (or other roles) may want to consider ACLS certification.
Only licensed RNs qualify to attain a Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN) credential, although NCSN certification requirements vary by state and district. For example, North Carolina requires school nurses to obtain NCSN certification and a BSN degree within three years of being hired. LPNs may work as school nurses in Missouri, however, since the state doesn’t mandate specific requirements.
If you’re looking for LPN school nurse jobs, it’s important to read up on your state's education and certification requirements first. Other examples include:
- California: Must be an RN with a School Nurse Services Credential
- South Carolina: LPNs must work under the supervision of an RN
- Georgia: RNs and LPNs are eligible (must be a ratio of at least 1 RN for every 5 LPNs)
It’s important for school nurses to have strong interpersonal skills, not only with students but also parents, teachers, and others within the school community. You’ll also need to be able to work independently, as most school nurses are a team of one. In this role, you will be expected to help foster a safe and nurturing environment for students.
Resume and Cover Letter for LPNs Seeking School Nurse Jobs
Ideally, a hiring manager will take the time to read through all of the resumes and cover letters they receive and pick up on any nuances that help them narrow down their pool of candidates. However, they’re often very busy and will either skim through resumes or use software to evaluate them. This is why it’s so crucial to ensure that the terminology in your resume reflects the language used to describe the core skills and qualifications in the job description itself.
This is also why it’s so important that you customize your resumes and cover letters for each specific role (as opposed to sending the same one out for each application). If you’re looking at LPN school nurse jobs, for example, you may want to use your cover letter to highlight that you’ve spent time researching the students and broader community you would be serving, while focusing on making a human connection and describing your relevant experience with pediatric or adolescent patients.
School Nurse (LPN) Jobs: The Interview
Working as a nursing professional in any specialty or facility requires a certain level of compassion, empathy, and focus. But, as a school nurse, you are entrusted with the care and wellbeing of young people, some of them lacking adequate support at home. The school nurse interview is your chance to show the hiring manager that you have what it takes for this enormous responsibility.
All job interviews are potentially stressful, but proper preparation is key. Interviewers will want to make sure you have the skills and acumen required for the job, but they will pay special attention to your mannerisms and how you answer broader, open-ended questions to get a better sense of your temperament and character. Take a look at common school nurse interview questions and practice your responses, being careful not to over-rehearse your answers.
LPN School Nurse Jobs: Salary and Compensation
The average annual pay for LPNs in the U.S. is $60,790 ($29.23 per hour). Compensation varies quite a bit from one state to another, however, and not always in proportion to a given state’s cost of living (for instance, Alaska tends to pay nurses a relatively high salary because of the challenges of recruitment in such a geographically isolated state). The following states offer the highest salaries and hourly wages for LPNs:
Wherever you’re hoping to work as a school nurse, you can search for current job openings on Credenza’s nationwide job board.
Find Your Next Great Nursing Opportunity Today
Whether you’re looking for LPN school nurse jobs or some other specialty or type of facility, knowing where to look is key. Get access to thousands of nursing jobs on America’s leading nurse job board today!
