As a current or soon-to-be healthcare professional, is an educational services role right for you – as a school nurse, counselor or therapist, just to name a few possible career paths?
To help you decide, consider the benefits of working in school-based healthcare. They include:

1. Making a Meaningful Impact on Students’ Lives

School health professionals can make important differences in the lives of students, which continue to help them as they grow and shape their lives. You can answer questions, identify and address issues, and help prepare educational materials on health, wellness, and related topics – benefiting fellow faculty and staff members, parents, families and caregivers, as well as students themselves.
School nurses, for instance, not only provide immediate care for injuries and illnesses, but also help manage chronic conditions, promote healthy behaviors and lifestyle choices, and serve as a liaison between students and the healthcare system.

In any educational healthcare role, you can make an important contribution to students’ academic success and development within their school environment.

2. Making a Meaningful Community Impact

Improving the lives of young people is an awesome benefit in itself. But beyond that, as a school-based healthcare professional, you can benefit both your school and local communities in highly positive ways.

• Collaborating with teachers, administrators and other school staff helps build a supportive environment for student health.
• You may also reach students from underserved areas who may face healthcare barriers outside of school. This can extend to the greater community. You might serve on committees or task forces, attend community meetings, or otherwise contribute, using your experience and expertise. Sharing information from your school setting may give others the chance to learn and live healthier lives.

3. Work/Life Balance

School-based health care staff typically work only during school hours; for instance, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays, at most. And, you get summers, holidays, and school breaks off. This is the ideal schedule for many people, including but not limited to working parents. While many healthcare workers struggle with demanding and erratic hours, long shifts, and taxing overtime, you don’t have these stress factors when working a school schedule.

4. Job Security

Medical professionals in general are always in demand. To cite one example, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of registered nurses will grow 9 percent by 2030. In some locations, finding a job as a school nurse may be easier than finding a hospital-based job. But, as an RN, you also have alternative opportunities available from which to choose.

5. Finding the Benefits You Need

Often, school-based healthcare professionals work under the same contracts as school district teachers. This can offer robust employee benefits, such as comprehensive medical plans, sick leave, retirement plans, and more.

If your career goals are leading you in the direction of school-based healthcare, reach out today to the experienced team of specialized recruiters at Covelo Group. We can connect you with the opportunity tailor-made for you, in California or nationwide.