The School Nurse provides immediate first aid, emergency medical care, and ongoing health management for pupils and staff while on school grounds. Operating on a shift system, the Nurse ensures the sick bay is clean, well-stocked, and fully functional, promotes health education, and maintains confidential medical records in line with school policies and professional nursing standards.
Key Responsibilities
Clinical Care & Emergency Response
First Aid & Treatment: Administer immediate and appropriate first aid or medical treatment for injuries, illnesses, sudden indispositions, and accidents occurring on school premises.
Emergency Management: Implement emergency protocols swiftly in critical situations (e.g., severe allergic reactions, asthma attacks, injuries) and coordinate emergency evacuations or hospital transfers when necessary.
Medication Administration: Safely administer prescribed medications to pupils following strict parental consent, dosage instructions, and documentation guidelines.
Triage & Assessment: Assess whether a sick or injured student needs to rest in the sick bay for a short period, return to class, or be sent home to see a doctor.
Sick Bay Operations & Administration
Shift Management: Adhere strictly to the assigned shift schedule to ensure continuous nursing coverage during school hours, after-school activities, or boarding events as required.
Record Keeping: Maintain accurate, confidential, and up-to-date health logs and treatment records for all students and staff visiting the sick bay.
Parental Communication: Contact parents or guardians promptly regarding accidents, illness symptoms, administration of emergency care, or the need to pick up a sick child.
Inventory & Supplies: Monitor medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, and first-aid kits in the sick bay; request timely restock of expired or depleted items.
Health Promotion, Hygiene & Safety
Sanitation & Safety: Maintain high standards of hygiene and infection control within the sick bay environment at all times.
Health Screenings: Assist with routine school health checks (e.g., vision, hearing, growth monitoring) and maintain vaccination or health history records where applicable.
Advisory Role: Advise school management on health, safety, and sanitation matters, including canteen hygiene, outbreak prevention (e.g., malaria, flu, cholera), and first-aid training needs for staff.
Qualifications and Requirements
Education: Registered Nurse (RN) or Registered Nurse/Midwife (RN/RM) with a valid, current license from the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN).
Experience: Minimum of 2 - 3 years of clinical experience, preferably in paediatrics, school nursing, emergency care, or community health.
Shift Flexibility: Willingness and physical readiness to work structured shifts (morning/afternoon/rotation) as assigned by the school administration.
Soft Skills: Exceptional patience, empathy, excellent communication skills, and a calm, decisive demeanour during emergencies.
Ethos: High integrity, professional discretion, and respect for the moral and religious environment of a faith-based school community.