As a School Health Nurse, you’ll play a vital role in fostering physical, emotional and social wellbeing within our schools and support schools across the state. Our dynamic program focuses on health promotion, prevention, early detection and health education. You’ll collaborate with students, families, fellow school health professionals and School Support and Wellbeing Teams (SSWT) to ensure every student reaches their fullest potential.
In our School Health Nurse Program, you might work across several schools in a region, or provide specialised support in our support schools to students and families facing unique challenges. Together, let’s create a brighter, healthier future for our students!
Hear from our school health nurses
School health nurse careers – videos
Why choose us?
Pathways for growth
Shape your career in a supportive environment through contributing to priority setting, decision making and pioneering new initiatives in primary health care.
Explore opportunities to collaborate with the University of Tasmania, or other universities, by delving into research, teaching and other academic pursuits. Or you may enjoy mentoring new members of your team.
Career progression
Gain new skills in health promotion and health education and set your sights on nurse manager or clinical nurse educator roles.
Benefits and beyond
We offer competitive salaries, flexible working arrangements, relocation assistance and more. As part of our team, you’ll have access to a wide range of resources to help you develop and deliver health education and promotion topics.
Continuous development
Explore a plethora of professional learning opportunities, both face to face and online, including conferences and interdepartmental networks designed to bolster your expertise.
Supportive environment
Join a nurturing team where supervision, team meetings, peer support and networking opportunities are integral to your growth and wellbeing. Nurse managers and clinical nurse educators are always available for advice and assistance.
Diverse work environments
You’ll be based in primary, high or support schools or colleges across your region, collaborating with teaching and other support staff.
Living and working in Tasmania
Experience the enriching lifestyle Tasmania offers—be it in urban, rural, or remote settings. Discover a vibrant community amidst nature’s beauty.
Fixed term roles
If you’re interested in a fixed term position you can apply to our employment register. Please be aware that applying for the register doesn’t guarantee we can offer you a position.
Explore further
If you would like to talk to someone about our school health nurse roles, what we can offer and available positions please email school.nurse.info@decyp.tas.gov.au
FAQs
Can I apply for a school health nurse job when I graduate from nursing?
Not straight away. To become a school health nurse, you must be a registered nurse and have some nursing experience.
What are the pathways to become a school health nurse?
School health nurse is not an entry level role. Our nurses commence at Grade 4 and come from a wide variety of backgrounds. While there are no specific requirements, useful qualifications and experience include paediatrics, child health, youth health, community health, mental health, and midwifery. You will be provided with a structured orientation, induction program, ongoing support and supervision to transition to your new role and develop the skills you will need. These are quite different to roles with a clinical focus.
Will I use my clinical knowledge and skills?
Health promotion and education, prevention and early detection are the focus for school health nurses, which is very different from hospital and other clinically focussed roles. Versatility and the ability to work independently and autonomously are key to success in the role. Support school nurses are also involved in the support of clinical services for students with complex medical conditions.
Can I work in primary schools or high schools?
School health nurses are expected to be able to work across kindergarten to Year 12. Support school nurses generally work only in their assigned school. If you work in primary or high schools you will generally be allocated to several schools, one day per week or fortnight at each school, depending on your working hours. Nurses in support schools and colleges (Years 11 & 12) generally work in one school full time.
What are the arrangements for taking leave?
Leave can be taken at any time by negotiation with your manager. To help ensure schools are supported during the school term, school holidays provide an ideal opportunity for annual leave. Additional leave can also be purchased by negotiation. In addition to 4 weeks pro rata annual leave, you will receive 3 additional leave days between Christmas and New Year.
What do school health nurses do during school holidays?
Apart from taking annual leave, the holidays provide an opportunity to participate in professional development, plan and prepare for the upcoming school term and spend time with your colleagues on projects, team building and peer support activities.