School nurse

Entry Requirements:

You can get into this job through an apprenticeship or by working towards this role.

Entry requirements:

Entry requirements:

Apprenticeship

If you're a qualified registered nurse or midwife, you might be able to do a Specialist Community Public Health Nurse Level 7 Degree Apprenticeship.

This usually takes a year and 6 months to complete and is a mix of learning at work and study at an accredited university.

Entry requirements:

• to be a registered nurse

Work

You can apply to become a school nurse if you're a registered nurse or midwife.

You'll usually need to do an approved programme in Specialist Community Public Health Nursing - School Nursing.

This approved programme can take 1 to 2 years to complete.

Required Skills:

Digital skills : to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Skills:

• knowledge of medicine and nursing practices
• patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
• the ability to accept criticism and work well under pressure
• sensitivity and understanding
• a desire to help people
• the ability to work well with others
• to be thorough and pay attention to detail
• excellent verbal communication skills
• knowledge of psychology
• customer service skills
• thinking and reasoning skills
• the ability to understand people’s reactions
• knowledge of English language
• active listening skills
• the ability to think clearly using logic and reasoning
• leadership skills
• counselling skills including active listening and a non-judgemental approach
• the ability to work well with your hands
• concentration skills
• physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace

What you'll do:

School nurses work with schools and families to improve the health and wellbeing of children and young people.

In this role you could:

• raise awareness of health issues like smoking and drugs
• promote healthy living, including sex and health education
• give immunisations, vaccinations and carry out screenings
• train teachers on healthcare issues and advise on school health policy
• support children with medical needs like asthma, diabetes, epilepsy or mental health issues

Location : You could work at a school, at a pupil referral unit, in the community or at a college.

Salary:

Starter : £35,000
Experienced : £43,000

These figures are a guide

Working hours:

38 - 40 hours variable

Working Pattern is between 8am and 6pm

Career Path:

With experience you could:

• become a team manager or community matron
• become a manager of a service
• work in education or research