School nurses are responsible for providing health care to school age students. They also make sure students' immunizations are up to date, facilitate vision and hearing screenings and dispense medications to students throughout the day. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to become a school nurse, you'll need to meet special education and licensure requirements.

Choose a Nursing Program

School nurses are required to complete an accredited nursing program. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there are two main educational paths for becoming a register nurse: a bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or an associate degree of nursing (ADN). A bachelor's degree takes about four years to complete and an associate's degree takes two years to complete. Each school has a different policy on which educational program they prefer, however, most schools will accept a BSN. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, career opportunities may be limited with an ADN.

National and State Licensure and Certifications

All states require nurses to be licensed nationally, according the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The National Council of Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) is the organization that administers these exams. Also check with your state's nursing board and schools for local requirements.

School Nurse (NCSN) Certification

Most schools require nurses to be certified by the National Board for Certification of Schools Nurses (NCSN). According to the NCSN, nurses can apply for this certification if they're licensed as a nurse in the United States and have a bachelor's degree in nursing. If you have an ADN, you may qualify by passing the NCSN exam and paying a non-refundable examination fee ($325 in 2009).

Applying for Jobs

There are a variety of ways to find school nurse jobs. First, check with the local school districts in your area. Even if they don't have positions advertised, call the administration department and send a resume. This may allow you to tap into unadvertised school nurse positions. Also, check with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), which provides networking opportunities and access to school nurse jobs. Mainstream job boards (e.g., monster.com and hotjobs.com) and local newspapers may advertise school nurse positions.

Source:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook

National Board for Certification of School Nurses

National Association of School Nurses