What are the pros and cons of being a school nurse?

Pros:

• Working Hours. Unlike many nurses, school nurses work very traditional work hours. They work almost exclusively during school hours. Typically, this is around 8-4, but they may also work part-time.

• Time Off. Similar to the specific work hours that school nurses work, nurses also get the same time off that students do. This means they often have holidays and summers off, which can be great, especially for people who have other responsibilities.

• Rewarding Work. School nurses are able to help children, especially if they are feeling sick or hurt. It can be rewarding to feel like you are helping others, and there are many opportunities for this as a school nurse.

Cons:

• Lower Salary. When compared to other nurses, school nurses do receive a lower salary. They do have the same educational requirements, so this can be frustrating and may be a reason people do not want to be school nurses.

• Little Room for Advancement. While nurses working in clinics or hospitals can choose to get more specialized or move up to management positions, there is little room for advancement as a school nurse. You stay in the same position for your career.

• Challenges With Parents. With any position where you are working with children, there are going to be some inevitable difficulties with parents. This can be with parents who feel you didn't take the right actions, so you may have to defend your decisions, which can be frustrating.