Do you want to know how to become a school nurse? School nurses perform a variety of duties. They administer medications, perform first aid for accidents and injuries, and are involved in more serious medical situations, such as a school's response to the swine flu.

In order to become a school nurse, you'll first need to become a registered nurse. Most states also require you to have a bachelor's degree, and you may want to consider working as a general medical or surgical nurse in order to gain experience. Then, you can pursue certification as a school nurse.

• While you can become a registered nurse with an associate's degree, you'll need to have a bachelor's degree in order to be certified as a school nurse. If your state requires you to have a bachelor's degree, you have three possible educational paths.

1. Become an RN with an associate's degree, and then continue on for a BSN, or complete a BS in an unrelated major.
2. Receive your RN through a BSN program.
3. Attend college, graduating with a BS or BA, then receive your RN through a Master's program.

As a school nurse, you'll be the sole medical professional responsible for assessing and evaluating students. As such, you'll be better prepared if you spend a year doing medical or surgical nursing, whether with adults or children. Even if experience is not required by your state, it will make you more qualified for the job.

In order to be certified as a school nurse, you'll need to be working in a school setting. As most schools require their nurses to be certified, this means that you will probably be working as an intern or assistant to a certified school nurse. The National Board for Certification of School Nurses administers a certification exam and issues certification after the exam is passed, and your application is reviewed.