School Nurse Resume Outline & Example

School Nurse Resume

School Nurse Resume Outline

As a dedicated and driven expert, you have the experience, skills, and preparation to thrive as a school nurse. You are well-educated and ready to perform a school nurse’s different roles, but you need to set out that evidence in a specific format. The principal sections that make an exceptional resume are:

  • Description: In this part, you summarize the experience you have as a school nurse, your qualifications, and how you have reached this point in your career trajectory.
  • Objective: The objective statement is a crucial section of your resume. You describe your motivations, skills, and ambition so that schools see precisely why they should hire you.
  • Skills: In the skills portion, you describe the various abilities that translate to your guaranteed success in the position. As a school nurse, you are caring, student-focused, and capable of thriving in any school site.
  •  Work Experience: Your work experience is an opportunity to emphasize your employment history, specifically how it can transfer to this potential job. You can include any previous employment in this section, as long as you connect between that job and the one you’re applying to. If you can link it to the current position, you can list volunteer work, as well.
  • Certifications: As a school nurse, you have likely accumulated multiple certifications. In the certifications section, you can highlight the certificates you received. Check to be sure that you include all pertinent certificates to improve your projection as a practical and competent school nurse.
  • Education: You have been through many years of training and education on your path to becoming a school nurse. This portion of the resume is your moment to talk about your educational history. The standard format is to list your schools, years of attendance, and the degrees you received, in reverse chronological order.

School Nurse Resume Objective

In your resume, the objective statement is a crucial and pivotal component. It is usually near the top of the page – front and center – and provides a glimpse of your aspirations to the interviewers. You should include a snapshot of your experience, critical skills, and aspirations with the school. Often, readers sweep resumes aside when they encounter a sub-par objective statement. Use this item as a leading opportunity to impress the hiring committee.

The objective statement is a chance to show your style and dedication to nursing. Although there is no flawless assertion, there are time-tested tactics that can help you engage the committee. Here are some examples of objective statements that you can alter to build your own powerful declaration:

  • In my four years as a school nurse, I have developed a vast skill set that I can use to assist all students. Using research-based techniques, I can assess and treat any injuries or illnesses students may have. I thrive in the school setting and cannot wait to join your enthusiastic team of educators and administrators to support all children in the school.
  • As a school nurse with a decade of experience, I have a brilliant history of helping children thrive. I’m excited to join your team to continue advising, treating, and assisting students. My patience, calmness, and selflessness will translate to your school site seamlessly.
  • My experience in a pediatric hospital setting will transfer perfectly to this school nurse position. I am motivated and eager to become a member of your school site. My energy, expertise, and commitment to student health are some of my assets, as is my willingness to work as part of a team.

School Nurse Skills

In the skills portion, you lay specific skills you utilize as a nurse and those soft skills that transfer across industries. When hiring committees interview prospective school nurses, they want to see that the candidates possess particular abilities. Some skills that you can list in this part of the resume to show off your strengths are:

  • Demonstrating professionalism and expertise.
  • Exceptional clinical skills and awareness.
  • Caring and empathy
  • Solid medical skills and understanding.
  • Effective interactions with physically and mentally challenged students.
  • Advanced computer proficiency.
  • Outstanding attention to detail.
  • Understanding of District policies and procedures as they pertain to health services

School Nurse Certification

In the certification section, you list appropriate licenses, certifications, and credentials. While interviewers are looking mainly for those mandatory certificates, you can also include other certifications to boost your resume. While requirements vary significantly by state, here are the necessary and beneficial credentials you’ll need in much of the country:

  • A current RN license
  • A bachelor’s degree or higher degree in nursing,
  • OR a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field connected to school nursing, including six credits in the following subjects:
    • Management of primary health care problems in children
    • Health assessment of children
    • Public health/community health/epidemiology
  • National Certified School Nurse (optional, for those looking to broaden their career outlook)

School Nurse Resume Example

Jane Doe

1234 Main Street, Anytown, IN 12345 • Phone: (123)123-4567 • *Email: [email protected]

Description

School nurses are required to be patient, organized, and caring, with the ability to help students of all ages and ailments. I am fully qualified and prepared to continue providing exceptional care to children at school sites.

Objective

In my four years as a school nurse, I have developed a vast skill set that I can use to assist all students. Using research-based techniques, I can assess and treat any injuries or illnesses students may have. I thrive in the school setting and cannot wait to join your enthusiastic team of educators and administrators to support all children in the school.

Skills

As a school nurse, I know the importance of being skilled. I have years of experience demonstrating professional expertise towards both students and other professionals. I am caring and empathetic with all students, with the agility to gauge any situation. I possess exceptional communication abilities and can fit them to meet all school members’ demands. I am compassionate and patient with all students, quickly developing solutions for injuries and illnesses. With my extensive medical background, I can tailor proven and novel approaches to solve issues that may arise daily. I am considerate and selfless with various stakeholders of the school community. My attention to detail and knowledge of District policies can give you confidence in my nursing abilities and performance in this position.

Work Experience

XYZ SCHOOL DISTRICT 9/18-12/20
  • Provided school nurse services in elementary school settings, including assessment, treatment, and advising for countless students.
  • Worked with parents, teachers, and staff to help students remain healthy and confident
ABC Pediatric Hospital 6/16-8/18
  • Worked with children and adolescents in long-term and chronic care settings
  • Assisted physicians and specialists in developing and implementing care plans for children with multiple illnesses and injuries.
JKL SCHOOL DISTRICT 9/14-6/16
  • Provided school nurse services in a middle school setting
  • Used acquired techniques, specifically to help developmental and physically challenged students reach outcomes
  • Created medicine administration plans for students to ensure consistent usage
SCHOOL DISTRICT 2/13-6/14
  • Worked in district nursing transition program shadowing certified school nurses
  • Learned how to implement plans and customized methods for all students to maintain health
  • Committed hours of intensive training and research to grow professionally
JKL SCHOOL DISTRICT 9/11-2/13
  • Special education teacher assistant in an elementary school setting
  • Assistant to special education teacher of K-5 students, helping implement proven and evidence-backed strategies to help students attain IEP goals and objectives

Certification

Certified School Nurse Credential – Hometown University, CA
Nursing License – Hometown University, CA

Education

MSN in School Nursing – Hometown University, CA
  • In this program, I learned vital skills to help children with various illnesses or injuries. I passed intensive courses and essential training to further prepare for school nursing and to broaden my knowledge scope.
Bachelor’s in Nursing – Main University, OR
  • During the BSN journey, I developed a deep comprehension of school nursing and the skill set needed to thrive.

Looking for your next school nurse assignment? Search through our available national job positions to find the perfect fit for you!

The Different Types of Special Education

Do you know which specialty of special education you would like to work in? Read our article to learn more about each type to help you decide which specialty is right for you.

Special education is a very broad field and has many different specialties. Those who specialize in working with students who have extra challenges may find themselves in a number of different scenarios, depending on the school district or type of school that they are working in. There are six main types of special education within most public-school settings.

What is Special Education?

Special education provides customized instruction to students who have been identified with disabilities. These programs seek to meet student’s individual learning needs in order to provide them with optimal opportunities to succeed in their school environment. By doing so, they are being equipped to achieve a higher level of self-sufficiency not only in their school life but personal and social as well.

This resource takes an in-depth look at the various types of special education to provide you with a better understanding of when and why they can be applied.

Push-in Services

Students with disabilities who require minimal intervention often receive “push-in” services as a first step in the special education process. A specialist, such as an occupational therapist or SLP, will come into the classroom to assist the teacher during regular lesson plans for the day. This collaborative effort is beneficial for students as it allows them to remain in their general education classroom environment without disrupting their daily schedule. It also provides the opportunity for students’ instructors to interact directly, allowing them to provide even more individualized support. There are certainly things to be aware of with this service. For example, there can be more distractions in a general education classroom which can make it harder for students with attention issues such as ADHD.

Pull-out Services

Students who need a bit more focused help from a speech-language therapist, occupational therapist or another specialist may be pulled out of the classroom for work in a one-on-one or group setting. Students who struggle in reading, writing, or speech are often placed within these types of programs. This service is especially beneficial as it provides a way for students to receive direct, tailored instruction to meet their unique needs. By providing one-on-one care, students also have the opportunity to develop a deeper sense of trust which in turn helps to provides them with emotional support. Something to consider with this service is how students may feel by being removed from their general education classroom setting. It could certainly present the obstacle of feeling isolated from their peers and should be considered when choosing this route.

Inclusive Classrooms

Inclusive classrooms will have a mix of children of varying abilities and co-teachers within the room that allows those who have special needs to get the additional help they require while remaining in a traditional classroom setting. Often, some of the students within the classroom may receive some pull-out services in addition to their assisted learning. With an inclusive classroom, students each have the opportunity to receive individualized care that meets their specific needs. It presents an opportunity for students to be a part of a unique community, thereby increasing their ability to socialize in a safe and comfortable environment. Very often, specialized school professionals, such as speech therapists, are brought into this classroom setting which also provides less interruption to students’ regular daily schedule.

Exclusive Education

Some students benefit from being placed in a smaller classroom of students who have similar educational needs. Though they may remain within a traditional school setting, the lower student-to-teacher ratio can help them to grasp educational concepts and overcome challenges that would hold them back in other classroom formats. Providing students with an environment where they can relate even more with their peers can also allow them to feel understood and accepted more so in another type of environment. Similar to inclusive education services, this option provides students with the opportunity to receive individualized attention. While this may not be the perfect fit for each student, it’s certainly something to consider for others.

Specialty Schools

Those who have severe cognitive challenges and certain physical disabilities may be placed into a specialty school where individual needs can be met by a very low student-to-staff ratio. This makes it easier for students to receive the care that they need in an adequate timeframe. These students can receive not only occupational, speech, and cognitive services but also will take advantage of other therapies to help improve their quality of life and prepare them for adulthood. These may include art therapy, aquatic therapy, job training, life skills, and other services as offered by the school. Specialty schools have the ability to provide students with a more structured and individualized school day which may not be easily achieved in a general school environment as well. Equally beneficial is the opportunity for students to relate to their peers, equipping them with a greater sense of self-esteem.

Residential Programs

Residential special education programs are best for students who require around-the-clock care that is beyond the capability that their community can offer. These students often have medical needs beyond what can be managed at home or in even a specialty school that come before their educational needs. Students in these types of programs will often be transitioned into adult assisted living or residential care facilities as they mature out of the program. Consistency can be key for students, making a residential program a great fit for them since they will experience a daily schedule. As with other services, being amongst peers that students can identify with can strengthen their sense of belonging and self-esteem. Because residency programs focus on every aspect of a student’s life – academic, social, vocation –  there are long-term benefits to prepare students to live life fully.

Depending on the level of needs of a specific student, there are many different options to ensure that they have a quality education that expands on their strengths and helps them overcome their challenges. Those interested in working with special needs students can use this guide to help them best prepare and choose an educational track that will give them the tools they need to work with these amazing children.

Are you a special education school professional wanting to help make students’ lives better? Check out our openings across the country to fit the perfect fit for you.

Special Education Teacher Resume Tips & Example

Special Education Teacher Resume

Organize your resume

Every successful teacher is expected to be organized, but this emphasis on structure and organization is perhaps even more important for special education teachers. Think of your resume as a tool for exhibiting your organizational skills, and focus on presenting all the information in a clear way that makes sense.

Start with a summary

To set your resume apart from the rest of the stack, consider starting it with a professional summary: a brief section that quickly shows your strengths and proficiencies as a special education teacher.

Consider using key words and phrases when putting together your summary. Refer to special education teacher job descriptions to ensure that you’re including essential information that pertains to your abilities. You can use this as a way to identify the strengths that you would like to highlight the most and are most applicable to the job you are applying for.

Reveal your credentials

To work as a special education teacher, you’re required to have specific educational and professional credentials, such as a college degree in the field and a teaching certificate for the state in which you plan to teach. Make sure you include a prominent section for “education” on your resume, where you can feature your educational background, including the institution and its location, the degree you earned, and the year you earned it. This section is also the place to include your certification level and in which states you are certified to teach.

Demonstrate your teaching experience

If you have already worked as a teacher, it’s essential to share that information with potential new employers. But avoid the temptation to simply list your duties; instead, focus on sharing your accomplishments. Even if you haven’t worked as a full-time teacher, you can show your experience as a student-teacher or intern teacher in this way. For instance, rather than saying you taught students with autism and other spectrum disorders, you could say that you designed a custom curriculum for students with autism in grades three through six, and you worked with parents and other teachers to create customized IEPs, to ensure that these students would receive the necessary support to fulfill their educational potential.

Highlight other relevant experience

If you’ve worked at a summer camp for children, or a special needs aide at a preschool, you should certainly include those jobs on your resume. Even if you’ve worked in retail or at restaurants, consider framing that experience in a way that shows your accomplishments and skills that will translate well to teaching, like communication abilities and a willingness to go above and beyond your duties.

Show your personality

Special ed teachers need an extra level of compassion and patience to work effectively with children who have disabilities. Look for ways to include evidence that you have the compassionate approach to be an effective special ed teacher. For instance, you may want to list a few of your “soft skills” or characteristics in your summary section, as included in the sample resume below.

Edit carefully

Yes, everyone makes mistakes, but not on a resume. Your resume is such an important document – demonstrating on paper your value as a teacher and serving as a personal marketing tool – that it deserves careful editing, over and over again. If possible, ask another teacher or trusted friend to look over it as well, to check for any errors you might have missed. As school principals look for ways to narrow down candidates, weeding out any resumes that contain errors is an easy first step. So, make sure yours doesn’t have any.

Add a personal cover letter or email.

Finally, make your resume stand out by writing a cover letter (or email, if you’re submitting electronically) tailored to the specific position. In that letter, you might address why you’re particularly interested in the school you’re applying to and any skills or experience that make you a good fit. For instance, if you grew up with a sibling with special needs and that experience led you to choose this career, share that information.

Special Education Resume Example

For more help, take a look at this sample resume for a special education teacher.

First Last

CERTIFIED PROFESSIONAL EDUCATOR

Experienced Special Education Teacher with excellent communication and coordination skills demonstrated by over 10 years of experience working with individuals with ADD, ADHD, MID, MOD, EBD, OHI, ESOL and ASD. Caring and professional with tireless commitment to assisting students/clients in developing skills and behaviors that improve overall wellbeing.

CORE STRENGTHS

Certified Teacher • Google Certified Educator • Solid Case Management

CAREER SUMMARY

Middle School – City, ST2020 – Present

Special Education Teacher

Full time teacher in middle school resource and team-taught ELA classes.

  • Researched, designed and implemented SPED curriculum.
  • Instructed students identified as SLD, ADD, MID, MOD, EBD, OHI, ESOL and ASD.
  • Coached students on academic material and behavior management.
  • Maintain regular communication with students, parents and colleagues regarding student progress.
  • Responsible for IEP development, data collection, implementation, student staffing, transition plans and goals.
  • Maintained special education student caseload.
  • Administered career inventory to students on caseload.

Home School and Tutoring Center – City, ST2013 – Present

Special Education Teacher

Provide in-home education services, particularly with students who have been diagnosed with dyslexia or other learning disabilities.

  • Design, research, develop and implement all curriculums for home school students based on state standards.
  • Developed lessons that assist students in improving skills in all academic subject areas.
  • Modify curriculum and assignments based on recommendations from psychological report and testing results.
  • Worked closely with parents concerning all academic and behavioral matters.
  • Utilized specialized reading instruction for students with severe dyslexia to improve reading ability.

Elementary School – City, ST2020

Special Education Teacher

Full time teacher in elementary school team-taught classes.

  • Instruct students who are SLD, EBO, OHi, ESOL and Autistic.
  • Worked closely with students on academic material and behavior management.
  • Maintain regular communication with students, parents and colleagues regarding student progress.
  • Researched, designed and implemented SPED and general curriculum.
  • Responsible for IEP development, data collection and implementation.
  • Maintained special education student caseload. Co-taught in all subject areas.
  • Instruct students online via Zoom or Microsoft Teams during school closing.
  • Trained in GoalView IEP platform.

EDUCATION & PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

State University – City, ST • MA – Counseling

University of State – City, ST • BS – Exceptional Child Education; Specific Learning Disabilities K-1 2

TECHNICAL SKILLS

MS Office Suite: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Certified Educator, Zoom

If you are a special education teacher looking to put your new resume to use, then make sure to check out all of our current openings. Search for opportunities by location and apply directly through the Soliant Special Education Teacher jobs page.

How to Become a Special Education Teacher

Many of us probably had friends who struggled in school growing up. They may have had dyslexia, ADHD, or another physical challenge or learning disability. You’ve probably known someone incredibly smart – but who was limited in their ability to get good grades by a specific learning challenge or emotional difficulty.

Today, the American federal government requires that all schools provide specialized teachers for students with disabilities. These include “obvious” disabilities, such as people with Down syndrome, and “invisible” disabilities such as dyslexia, anxiety, and ADHD.

Special education teachers are the superheroes for these students. They learn how to adapt lesson plans, teaching methods, and more so that people with physical, learning, and emotional challenges can get a great education.

Sound like something you’d like to do? If you’d like to help every student get the best education possible, continue reading to learn more about the education, methods, and jobs available for special education teachers.

What Does a Special Education Teacher Do?

Special education teachers usually work in schools alongside other teachers. They may work in public schools, private schools, or in schools that are specialized for people with disabilities.

Special education teachers may work with other teachers to give attention to students with special needs, or they may work in special classrooms or “resource rooms” where students with disabilities can get help.

Many websites and job search agencies, like Soliant, can help you find special education teacher jobs that are available in your local area.

Special Education Teacher Job Description

Like all teachers, special education teachers teach a variety of subjects, including reading, writing, math, and other subjects. Depending on the type of special education that a teacher works in, job duties of the role may include:

  • Creating lesson plans specialized to individual students, based on each student’s strengths and challenges.
  • Helping students with dyslexia and other reading challenges get extra practice reading and writing.
  • Helping students with dyscalculia and other math-related challenges develop strategies for handling numbers.
  • Helping students with physical disabilities, such as blindness or deafness, get the same access to educational materials using different teaching tools.
  • Helping students with emotional or behavioral challenges to get through the school day, learn, and make friends by helping them manage their symptoms.

Special Education Teacher Salary

Special education teacher salaries can range from $32,000-$80,000 per year, depending on experience, education, and location.

The most common salary for special education teachers is about $49,000 per year, and most special education teachers are paid between $43,000 and $68,000 per year.

Generally, teachers with more education and experience are paid more. Teachers with special qualifications that are in high demand may also get paid more. According to recent reports by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, special education teachers, on average, were paid slightly more than general teachers without special education qualifications.

Remember that cities with higher costs of living often pay higher salaries. So if you’re getting paid more, you may be moving to an area where you have to pay more for rent and other expenses as well. When deciding whether to accept a job based on the salary, it’s a good idea to also do an online cost-of-living search to find out what average expenses you can expect from living in that city.

How to Become a Special Education Teacher

Special education teachers need a unique set of skills. They don’t just need degrees and certifications: they also need people skills, communication skills, and a demonstrated ability and desire to work with people with special needs.

Read on to learn how you can acquire all of those skills – and prove to your future employer that you have them.

Skills of a Special Education Teacher

What kind of skills are required to be an amazing special education teacher? As you might guess, it’s about more than just your degree. People who are best-suited for special education jobs are those who have:

  • Desire to help. First and foremost, special education teachers must want to help those with special needs. This job can be challenging, and it may not be a good fit for people who are not interested in helping people with special needs.
  • Those who have natural patience, empathy, and the desire to solve problems will find this job most rewarding.
  • People skills. Special education means working with students and parents who may be frustrated with the school system because of their disability.
  • Special education teachers must be friendly and warm, while also having the confidence to manage conflicts and unreasonable expectations that might arise from students, parents, co-teachers, or school administrators.
  • Communication skills. Special education teachers sometimes act as translators between school administrators, general teachers, students with disabilities, and their parents.
  • Knowledge of disabilities and teaching techniques. To do their job, special education teachers must know about different available teaching techniques, as well as the needs of students with different challenges and disabilities.

This is where your degree comes in handy. So what kind of degree do you need to be a special education teacher, and where do you get it?

Special Education Teacher Requirements

Just like general teachers, special education teachers typically need a bachelor’s degree or a master’s degree. So, where and how do you get a special education teacher degree?

The good news is that a growing number of schools offer both in-person and online bachelor’s and master’s programs in special education. When selecting a program, look for a school that has a solid reputation and has good graduate employment rates.

Special education teacher requirements include:

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Special Education.
  • Additional certification or licensure exams may be required depending on the state you want to teach in. Public schools may require more licensures and certifications than private schools, but may also pay higher salaries and have better employee benefits for teachers.

Special Education Teacher Cover Letter

In your cover letter for a special education teacher position, it’s important to make it clear to employers quickly that you have a passion for serving students with special needs. Here are a few key tips when creating your special education teacher cover letter:

  1. It’s often the “soft” skills – desire, people skills, and communication skills – that are most important to this job, and most difficult to find.
  2. You can demonstrate that you have these by including a brief description in your cover letter of why you have chosen this career path. Do you have a specific story from your life that made you realize the crucial importance of this job?
  3. Being able to tell the employer in just a few words exactly what made you realize how important this job is, and what made you want to pursue it, will help the employer see you as a dedicated candidate.
  4. It’s also a good idea to include a couple of sentences in your cover letter about what you’ve done to prove you are passionate about working in this area, such as a past job or volunteer experience.

Remember, your cover letter should only be one page, and should be easy to read! So make your points brief, using only a sentence or two each to describe the source of your passion for special education, your interest in this specific employer and job, and your experience working with people with special needs.

Special Education Teacher Resume

Like your cover letter, your resume should be brief and easy to read. The goal is that a hiring manager can tell immediately what makes you a qualified candidate for this job. You may wish to include sections like:

  • Objective. If you don’t have much prior work experience in the field, start your resume with an “objective” of 1-2 sentences that describes your career-relevant mission in life and what you hope to achieve in the specific job you are applying to.
  • Education. Include any professional certifications or degrees you might have, the relevant school(s) you attended, the dates you attended, and your GPA if it was over 3.5. If not, your GPA is not required.
  • Work experience. If you don’t have much work experience, remember to include any part-time or summer jobs you might have held to show your track record as a reliable worker.
  • If you have held many jobs, include only the 2-4 that are most recent or most relevant to the job you are applying for. Seeing many jobs in other fields on your resume may cause employers to question your dedication to this field!
  • Volunteer work. If you have never worked with people with special needs professionally, you will need volunteer work on your resume to prove that you have done this before. Consider volunteering with any local schools, charities, or other organizations that work with children, disabled people, and children with special needs in your area.
  • Hobbies. If you can fit this all on one page, some employers like to see a little bit about your hobbies.

Find an in-depth guide to resumes for special education teachers here, including a template you can follow!

Special Education Teacher Interview Questions

Being a special education teacher requires a special sort of person. Special education teachers must be driven, energetic, and passionate – but also able to work with other people who have diverse expectations and skill levels.

Interviewers are likely to ask about your education, work, and volunteer experience. They may also ask how you have coped with certain types of situations in the past. Practice answering questions like:

  1. Tell us about a time you have failed. Here, employers will look to see if you take responsibility for your mistakes and if you have learned from them.
  2. What did you enjoy most about that job or volunteer experience?
  3. What was the biggest challenge you faced in that job or volunteer experience?
  4. What are you looking for in a professional team or work environment?
  5. Can you tell us a little bit about your strategies for working with coworkers and colleagues?
  6. What theories, systems, or approaches do you use when constructing lesson plans for children?
  7. What experience do you have working with students with behavior problems?
  8. What experience do you have working with frustrated parents?
  9. What questions do you have for us? It’s always good to be prepared to ask employers what they expect of you, and what their favorite and least favorite parts of working for the organization are.

Be aware that some types of questions, such as questions about your family, whether you are married or have children, and whether you have any health conditions, are discriminatory and illegal for employers to ask.

Some may ask these questions to determine if you will have “distractions” from your work, such as family or health problems, but you are not required to answer them, and this may indicate an employer that does not have a healthy work-life culture.

Summary

In summary, special education teachers are superheroes to people with learning differences. Whether it’s a physical disability that makes it hard to access general classroom materials or an emotional challenge to learning, special education teachers are there to ensure each student gets the resources and attention they need.

Special education teachers are paid, on average, slightly more than general teachers. This is because they have special training and very special character traits. Special education teachers must be prepared to fight for what is right and achieve a high level of excellence in their performance.

Ready to become a special education teacher? Explore opportunities in special education with Soliant, or find more resources about the career here.