School and Community Nursing

As part of a public-private partnership with the District of Columbia’s Department of Health (DOH), Children’s School Services (CSS) Program hires, trains and places specialized, dedicated school nurses in 117 D.C. public schools and 73 public charter schools.

As a school nurse with CSS, you’ll serve students who might otherwise lack access to healthcare as a:

• First line of screening and referral
• Caregiver, enabling medically complex children to attend school
• Liaison between educators, families, community, and providers
• Confidante on mental, sexual, and other sensitive health concerns
• Advocate for a healthy learning environment
• Emergency first responder
• Coach, helping students and families adapt to, advocate for, and manage chronic conditions

Yet, the LPNs, RNs, and advanced practice nurses of Children’s School Services must relish the challenge. Both CSS turnover and vacancy rates are less than half the national average.

As Chrystal Young-Johnson, a nurse manager on our team of school nurses, put it: "School nurses touch children’s lives early on and can leave a lasting imprint for a lifetime. I entered school nursing to make a long-term difference in the lives of students."

Learn more about Children’s School Services