Location & Practice Overview

This School Nurse position is based at North Star Academy, the Newark campus network of Uncommon Schools. The role is located within a public charter school environment that operates multiple campuses serving elementary, middle, and high school grades across Newark neighborhoods.

City & State Newark, New Jersey
School Network North Star Academy
Practice Setting Public charter school campuses
Care Environment School-based health services
Organization Type Nonprofit charter school network

Responsibilities

  • Provide basic healthcare to students who experience injuries, sudden illness, or other immediate health concerns during the school day.
  • Maintain and monitor student vaccination and immunization records; identify missing or incomplete documentation and follow up with families.
  • Update students’ medical histories and health files to keep documentation accurate and current.
  • Support measures intended to prevent the spread of communicable diseases and help maintain a safe school environment.
  • Assist with compliance related to applicable national, state, and local health laws and regulations.
  • Coordinate with families concerning student health information and school health requirements.

The School Nurse functions as the primary on-site health resource, combining direct student care with the documentation and family communication needed to support wellness across the school community.

Qualifications & Requirements

Uncommon Schools prefers candidates with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and accepts LPN applicants who are willing to pursue an RN degree and the qualifications required for school nursing. Tuition reimbursement is available for the specified LPN-to-RN pathway. Candidates pursuing New Jersey school nurse certification should meet the applicable state education, nursing licensure, and professional certification requirements.

Preferred Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
Accepted Nursing Pathway
RN preferred; LPN applicants accepted if willing to pursue an RN degree and school nursing qualifications
New Jersey School Nurse Certification
Applicable credential requires a bachelor’s degree, current RN licensure, CPR/AED certification, and designated school nursing coursework
Professional Capabilities
Ability to provide student-focused nursing services and maintain accurate health documentation
Experience Requirement
No minimum years of nursing experience specified in the available vacancy description

Compensation & Benefits

The advertised annual compensation range for this School Nurse position is $60,000 to $110,000. Most candidates who meet the job description requirements receive an offer between $60,000 and $74,000. Individual starting pay is determined by factors including professional development, education, certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools.

  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA), Dependent Care FSA, and Health Savings Accounts (HSA)
  • New Jersey pension program and financial planning resources
  • Paid sick time, paid holidays, and approximately 10 weeks of paid breaks during winter, spring, and summer
  • Parental, medical, and disability leave options
  • Tuition reimbursement for the specified LPN-to-RN educational pathway, plus professional development and wellness support

Schedule & Work Environment

Employment Type Full Time
Work Setting On-site school-based health services
School Calendar Aligned with the academic year; approximately 10 weeks of paid breaks
Daily Hours Not specified in the available posting

Patient Population & Clinical Setting

The School Nurse serves students enrolled in North Star Academy’s Newark schools, supporting healthcare needs across elementary, middle, and high school grade levels. The clinical environment is centered on student health within an educational setting rather than a traditional hospital or outpatient practice.

Age Groups School-age children and adolescents (K–12)
Primary Population North Star Academy students
Educational Levels Elementary, middle, and high school
Clinical Setting On-site school health services within a public charter school network

Clinical Focus & Key Services

The position centers on school health services that address acute needs while supporting long-term health compliance so students can remain engaged in learning.

Acute Care Assessment and management of injuries and sudden illness during the school day
Immunization Oversight Vaccination record maintenance and compliance monitoring
Health Documentation Medical history updates and organized student health files
Communicable Disease Prevention Support for measures that limit disease spread within the school environment

Role Highlights

This opportunity combines school-based nursing with the educational mission of North Star Academy, offering a distinct clinical environment within Uncommon Schools’ Newark network.

  • Work within North Star Academy, an established public charter school network with a college-preparatory educational mission.
  • Provide nursing services in a K–12 educational environment rather than a traditional hospital, outpatient clinic, or long-term care facility.
  • Support students across different developmental stages, from elementary school through high school, within the Newark school community.
  • Follow an academic-year work environment with approximately 10 weeks of paid breaks during winter, spring, and summer.
  • Access an employer-supported LPN-to-RN educational pathway with tuition reimbursement for eligible candidates pursuing school nursing qualifications.

About Uncommon Schools

Uncommon Schools is a nonprofit network of public charter schools dedicated to providing K–12 education in historically under-resourced communities. The organization operates schools in Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester. Its educational mission focuses on preparing students for college and supporting their long-term academic success. North Star Academy in Newark is part of the network’s school community and serves as the educational setting associated with this School Nurse opportunity.

Organization Type Nonprofit public charter school network
Founded 1997
Geographic Footprint Boston, Camden, New York City, Newark, and Rochester
Network Scale 53 schools serving more than 21,000 students
Newark School Network North Star Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

Can an LPN apply for this School Nurse role?
Yes. Uncommon Schools accepts LPN candidates who are willing to return to school to obtain an RN degree and pursue New Jersey school certification. Tuition reimbursement is available for the specified LPN-to-RN pathway.
What New Jersey certification is required for school nurses?
New Jersey School Nurse and School Nurse/Non-Instructional credentials require a bachelor’s degree, current RN licensure (New Jersey or qualifying multistate), CPR/AED certification, and designated school nursing coursework. The standard School Nurse pathway includes 21 semester-hour credits; the Non-Instructional pathway includes 15.
Is prior school nursing or pediatric experience required?
The posting does not establish a mandatory minimum number of years of professional nursing experience and does not list prior school or pediatric nursing experience as a strict requirement.
How is starting pay determined within the published range?
Starting compensation is set using factors that include relevant professional development, educational background, professional certifications, and tenure with Uncommon Schools. Most candidates who meet the job description requirements receive offers in the $60,000–$74,000 range.
Does the role include teaching health classes?
The available job description focuses on healthcare delivery, immunization compliance, medical record management, and school health and safety support. It does not list classroom teaching of health as a core responsibility.
Are specific electronic health record systems required?
The vacancy does not identify particular electronic health record platforms or specialized clinical technologies. Candidates should expect to maintain accurate medical histories, vaccination documentation, and student health files according to the school’s procedures.

School Nurse in Newark, NJ

The School Nurse position at North Star Academy in Newark, NJ, offers an opportunity to work in a K–12 public charter school environment operated by Uncommon Schools. Unlike traditional hospital and outpatient nursing positions, this role is based within an educational community serving elementary, middle, and high school students. The school-based nursing setting combines student healthcare with the broader goals of maintaining a healthy and supportive learning environment. As part of North Star Academy’s Newark network, the position connects clinical nursing practice with public education, student well-being, and school health administration. This full-time opportunity is particularly relevant to nursing professionals interested in developing their careers in school health services.

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