Salary of a Public School Nurse
Public school nurses specialize in the care and treatment of students in both primary and secondary public schools. They evaluate medical problems and treat minor injuries. They counsel parents and students on hygiene, nutrition and mental health problems. School nurses are often the first step in identification and intervention in cases of child abuse, learning disabilities and medical conditions that affect a student's ability to excel in her scholastic goals.
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Education & Training
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School nurses supervise the safety and health of public school students. Nursing students have several ways to achieve their education and training. Colleges and universities offer four-year programs for a bachelor of science degree. Junior colleges and community colleges offer a three-year nursing program. Hospital administered training programs are normally a three-year course. All states, the District of Columbia and U.S. territories require that candidates seeking a nursing license must attend an approved program. Upon graduation, nursing students are required to obtain a state license from the state where they will practice.
Duties
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Nurses first appeared in the public school system during the late 1800s when they were needed to identify communicable diseases that spread among the student population. They still perform this function, as well as tending to minor injuries and identifying problems that require referral to a physician. School nurses review and maintain immunization records, identify health and safety concerns in the school and counsel students and parents on health issues.
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Salaries
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School nurses normally work on a nine-month contract and salaries vary depending on location, the size of the student population, experience and academic achievements. Nationwide, the average salary for a school nurse is $44,044 as of 2011, according to salary.com. In Macon, Georgia, the annual median salary is $41,446. In New York city, the median salary is $52,000, with the top 10 percent earning up to $78,080.
Employment Projections
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The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in 2008 there were over 2.6 million registered nurses in the U.S. From the 2008 figure of 2,618,700, employment opportunities for registered nurses will increase 22 percent and are expected to reach 3,200,200 by 2018. Out of the 581,500 new job vacancies, many will be for school nurses.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit nurse on duty image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com school bus image by Lombok from Fotolia.com
