| Detail | For this role |
|---|---|
| Department | Nursing |
| Level | Entry level |
| Reports to | School Administrator or Principal |
| Direct reports | None |
| Experience | 1 to 4 years in nursing, ideally with paediatric or first aid exposure |
School Nurse job description template
Copy this job description, replace the text in square brackets and post it on your careers page or a job portal.
Job title: School Nurse
Department: Nursing
Reports to: School Administrator or Principal
Location: [City], [office, branch or site]
About the role
A School Nurse looks after the health and wellbeing of students in a school. They provide first aid and care for illness and injury during school hours, run health check-ups and screenings, maintain student health records, and teach health, hygiene and safety. The role is often the only medical presence on campus. In an Indian school the school nurse manages the sick room, handles emergencies until parents or a hospital take over, tracks immunisation and health data, supports children with medical needs, and promotes healthy habits among students and staff.
Key responsibilities
- Provide first aid and care for students who fall ill or get injured at school.
- Run health check-ups, screenings and growth monitoring for students.
- Maintain student health records, immunisation status and medical needs.
- Manage the sick room and its supplies and emergency readiness.
- Handle emergencies until parents or a hospital can take over.
- Teach students health, hygiene, nutrition and safety in sessions.
- Support students with chronic or special medical needs during school.
- Communicate with parents about their child's health and any concerns.
- Coordinate with hospitals for referrals and student health camps.
- Promote a safe, healthy environment across the whole school.
Requirements
- B.Sc Nursing or GNM
- Registration with the state nursing council
- Comfort working with children in a school setting
- 1 to 4 years in nursing, ideally with paediatric or first aid exposure
KRAs and KPIs for a School Nurse
Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.
| Key result area | How to measure it |
|---|---|
| First aid | Illness and injury at school handled promptly and correctly |
| Health checks | Student health check-ups and screenings completed as planned |
| Records | Student health and immunisation records kept complete and current |
| Emergency readiness | Sick room and emergency supplies ready at all times |
| Health education | Health and hygiene sessions delivered to students as planned |
| Parent communication | Parents informed of health concerns promptly and clearly |
Skills and tools
Tools used day to day: First aid supplies, Vital signs equipment, Weighing and height scale, Student health records, Emergency contact list.
Reporting line and career path
Next roles: Senior School Nurse, School Health Coordinator, Community Health Nurse
Interview questions for a School Nurse
- A student faints during assembly. What do you do?
- How do you run health screenings for a whole school?
- How do you keep student health and immunisation records?
- How do you support a child with a chronic condition at school?
- How do you teach hygiene to young students effectively?
- How do you handle an emergency until parents arrive?
Managing a School Nurse in ZeniaHR
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What does a school nurse do?
A school nurse looks after the health of students. They provide first aid and care for illness and injury during school hours, run health check-ups and screenings, maintain student health records, and teach health and hygiene. They manage the sick room, handle emergencies until parents or a hospital take over, and support children with medical needs.
What qualifications does a school nurse need?
A B.Sc Nursing or GNM with registration with the state nursing council is the usual base, and paediatric or first aid experience helps. Employers value calm emergency handling, comfort working with children, and good communication with parents and teachers, since the school nurse is often the only medical presence on campus.
Is being a school nurse different from hospital nursing?
Yes. A school nurse works mostly alone, handling first aid, health checks, records and health education for students during school hours, with regular daytime work and school holidays. Hospital nursing involves shift work, a clinical team and sicker patients. School nursing suits nurses who enjoy children, prevention and a steadier routine.