District Nurse (RN)

Kentwood Public Schools; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 49,300 - 66,700; Full time

Job summary

Kentwood Public Schools is seeking a District Nurse (RN) to lead school health services district-wide under supervision of the District Nurse Coordinator. The Nurse will provide clinical leadership, oversee health plans, and ensure compliant, high‑quality care across buildings.

This 42‑week role requires collaboration with staff, families, and community partners; maintain records, participate in safety initiatives, and support on-call duties to ensure student health needs are met.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan.
• Master's degree in nursing preferred.
• Certification in school nursing preferred.
• Three years of recent, relevant clinical experience.
• Valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• Hold a non‑BLS CPR instructor and/or skill evaluator certification or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire date.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and training to school nurses and health staff.
• Maintain and implement standards of care aligned with best practices and state regulations.
• Support complex student health needs and provide consultation on complex student health conditions.
• Coordinate delivery of daily health services in a cost-effective manner across the district.
• Communicate with students/families, nurses, and administration regarding student health care issues.
• Perform quality assurance audits and data reviews and provide written reports to Health Services Administration.
• Maintain data and submit reports to Kent County Health Department and Kent ISD.
• Regular rounds to support School Health Services staff and ensure district standards.

Skills

Excellent communication

Clinical assessment

Time management

Independent work

Decision making

Analytical thinking

Work under deadlines

Staff training

Collaboration with families

Diversity awareness

Education

Michigan RN license

Master's in nursing preferred

School nursing certification preferred

3 years clinical experience

First Aid/CPR/AED

Non-BLS CPR instructor cert or willing to obtain

Job description

Position Title: District Nurse (RN)

Employee Group: 4230 (Miscellaneous- Grant Funded)

Schedule: 42 weeks

Department: Student Services

Salary: $58,000 - Kentwood Public Schools offers a competitive salary and benefits package commensurate with experience

Position Purpose: Operating at the district level under the direct supervision of the District Nurse Coordinator and the Executive Director of Student Services, the Nurse provides clinical leadership and hands‑on oversight for school health services. In alignment with MDE and MDHHS guidelines, this role implements and evaluates health services designed to support the District’s mission of addressing the “whole” child. The Nurse acts as a key district resource, collaborating with staff, local agencies, and service providers to execute student health plans and ensure safe, high‑quality, and compliant care across all buildings.

Essential Job Functions

• Provide guidance, mentorship, and training to school nurses and health staff
• Maintain and implement standards of care aligned with best practices and state regulations
• Support complex student health needs (e.g., chronic conditions, emergency care plans, etc.) and provide consultation on complex student health conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes, seizure disorders, severe allergies, etc.)
• Demonstrate understanding of applicable laws and the National Association of School Nurses (NASN) Framework for 21st Century Nurse Practice.
• Demonstrate thorough knowledge of school-based and day to day operations for the care of pediatric/adolescent or teenage patients.
• Coordinates delivery of daily health services in a cost-effective manner.
• Must be on call whenever nurses are scheduled to work. Works hourly during summer school as needed.
• Communicates and collaborates with students/families, nurses, and administration regarding student health care issues.
• Assists families in navigating district policies, health care protocols, safety risk management, and student advocacy.
• Performs quality assurance audits and data review as required and provides written reports to Health Services Administration.
• Responsible for timely dissemination of relevant information to Health Services Administration and other key personnel.
• Maintains data on communicative diseases and submits proper reports to Kent County Health Department and Kent Intermediate School District.
• Performs regular rounds throughout the district to support the School Health Services staff in the delivery of quality services that meet district standards, policies and procedures.
• Ensures each school maintains a standard of tools in all health rooms.
• Assists in, training and development of contracted nurses, health aides, and other staff as needed.
• Reports concerns to the District Nurse Coordinator in accordance with district policies and procedures.
• Provides input into the development, implementation, and evaluation of program goals.
• Prioritizes goals so that they are consistent with student health care/administration needs.
• Actively participates in safety initiatives and risk mitigating measures where appropriate.
• May assist in coordinating partnerships with Universities and Nursing Colleges.
• Works to obtain the MIHeart Safe Designation in all schools.
• Files appropriate documentation for billing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Regular, reliable and punctual attendance.

Additional Duties: Performs other related tasks as assigned by the Executive Director of Student Services, District Nurse Coordinator, and other central office administrators as designated by the Superintendent.

Equipment: Use standard office equipment, such as personal computers and copiers.

Travel Requirements: Travel between schools, or between schools and central offices, may be required for certain positions.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Effective written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills.
• Effective patient assessment skills.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to make quality, independent decisions.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work effectively and efficiently under tight deadlines, high volumes, and multiple interruptions.
• Ability to instruct and direct the work of others.
• Ability to apply knowledge of current research and theory to nursing practice to meet the needs of students.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, peers, parents and community.
• Ability to work in an economically, culturally and racially diverse environment.

Qualifications

• Licensed as a Registered Nurse in the State of Michigan.
• Master's degree in nursing preferred.
• Certification in school nursing preferred.
• Three years of recent, relevant clinical experience.
• Valid First Aid/CPR/AED certification.
• Hold a non‑BLS CPR instructor and/or skill evaluator certification in order to certify employees in First Aid/CPR/AED, or willingness to obtain within 6 months of hire date.

Physical And Mental Demands, Work Hazards

• Ada Requirements: The physical demands, work environment factors, and mental functions described are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand, walk, sit, use hands to finger, handle, or feel, reach with hands and arms, climb or balance, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, talk, hear (in a quiet or noisy environment), taste and smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision and ability to adjust/focus.
• Work Environment: The noise level in the work environment is usually loud to moderate.
• Mental Functions: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to compare, analyze, communicate both orally and in writing, copy, coordinate, instruct, compute, synthesize, evaluate, use interpersonal skills, compile and negotiate.

FLSA Status: Exempt

Kentwood Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or any other protected status in its employment decisions or the provision of services.