School nurse

Career path and progression

With experience you could:

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

What it takes

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

• 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
• to be able to use a computer and the main software packages competently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

• pass enhanced background checks

You'll usually need a driving licence for this job.

Related subjects

Most relevant

• Biology - School nurses need a thorough understanding of human biology to carry out health screenings, give immunisations, and support children with conditions like asthma, diabetes, and epilepsy. Knowledge of how the body grows and develops is especially important when working with children and young people at different stages of development.
• Psychology - School nurses support children and young people with mental health issues and emotional wellbeing. Understanding how young minds develop, how stress and anxiety affect behaviour, and how to approach sensitive conversations are all central to this role.

Also relevant

• Sociology - School nurses work with families and communities from diverse backgrounds and need to understand how social factors like poverty, family structure, and inequality affect children's health. This awareness helps them tailor their support and identify young people who may be at risk.
• Chemistry - School nurses need to understand how medicines and vaccines work in the body, including basic pharmacology. Chemistry provides the foundation for understanding drug interactions, dosages, and the substances they educate young people about, such as tobacco and drugs.
• Physical Education - School nurses promote healthy living and physical activity as part of their role in improving young people's wellbeing. Understanding the benefits of exercise, nutrition, and how physical health connects to mental health helps them deliver effective health education programmes.
• English Language - School nurses communicate complex health information to children, parents, and teachers in ways that are clear and age-appropriate. They also write reports, contribute to school health policies, and need to handle sensitive conversations with care and precision.
• Food Preparation and Nutrition - School nurses advise young people and families on healthy eating and may support children with diet-related conditions like diabetes or obesity. Understanding nutrition science helps them give practical, evidence-based guidance on food choices.