Nurses Middle College (NursesMC) is on a mission to transform lives and improve patient care by putting students from backgrounds underrepresented in healthcare on a path to a nursing career. Modeled on the network’s flagship school in Providence, RI, NursesMC™-Nashville will give students a rich, hands-on, rigorous educational experience unlike any other.
- Nursing content will be infused throughout the curriculum.
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Students will engage in learning experiences at area healthcare facilities, including a 40-plu-hour clinical internship.
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Nurses and other area health professionals will teach and mentor students.
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All students will earn a certified nursing assistant (CNA) certificate or other healthcare workforce credentials so they can earn while they learn.
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Students will dually enroll in college courses at no cost. They will learn what it takes it succeed in college and earn credits they can transfer to reduce the time and money they spend earning a degree.
The school will be open to all students who complete the 8th grade. Enrollees will meet all standard graduation requirements in addition to graduating with a minimum of three college credits and a CNA certificate. On average, graduates of the flagship campus earn 16 college credits and many begin working—as CNAs, medical assistants, and even emergency medical technicians—while still in high school.
Position Overview:
The School Nurse at NursesMC-Nashville plays a critical role in ensuring the health, safety, and well-being of students and staff by providing comprehensive medical care, health education, and emergency response services. This role is responsible for assessing, planning, and managing student health needs, including acute and chronic conditions, medication administration, and first aid, while ensuring compliance with state and federal health regulations.
As a key member of the student support and school safety teams, the School Nurse collaborates with educators, administrators, families, and community health providers to promote a safe, inclusive, and wellness-focused school environment. They develop and implement individualized health care plans, serve as a health resource for students and staff, and actively contribute to the development of school health policies, emergency preparedness plans, and infection control measures. Additionally, this role supports students' academic success for advocating for accommodations, coordinating health-related interventions, and providing health education that aligns with the NursesMC mission to prepare future health care professionals.
Our ideal candidate will have the following qualities:
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- A deep belief that all students can succeed, combined with a dedication to advocating for their best interests.
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A contagious enthusiasm for teaching, learning, and the transformative impact of education.
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A strong passion for the NursesMC™ mission and a commitment to preparing a diverse nursing and healthcare workforce.
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High expectations for students, colleagues, and themselves, with a growth mindset and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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Strong interpersonal skills to collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and experiences.
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Receptive to feedback and committed to personal and professional growth, actively seeking opportunities for improvement and implementing constructive suggestions to enhance student outcomes and team collaboration.
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A responsive and empathetic approach to addressing the needs of students, families, and the broader community.
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A love for the dynamic, entrepreneurial spirit of a start-up environment, including the ability to wear multiple hats, and pitch in as needed to achieve shared goals.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
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Overview:
- Provides health assessment, planning, intervention, evaluation, management and referral related to acute and chronic illness, first aid, mental health, medication management and health education for students and staff.
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Responsible for direct and indirect care given to students in compliance with school policies, professional standards of practice physician's orders, and the individual Health Care Plan.
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Develops and implements individual health care and emergency care plans for students with health care needs to ensure safety and optimal health, while advocating for student accommodations to allow full access to the educational program.
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Provides specialized medical care to high risk students and those with chronic illnesses (allergies, asthma, diabetes, seizures, medically fragile, etc.) to assist the child in achieving the highest possible functional level in the school setting.
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Administers first aid and emergency care for illness and injury to students/staff, providing immediate medical attention and related follow-up action as indicated.
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Practices according to the standards of clinical nursing practice as established by the American Nurses Association, the laws of the State in which the school is located as established in the State's Nurse Practice Act, and adheres to the Rules and Regulations for School Health Program, as established by the State's Department of Health and the State's Department of Education.
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Maintains comprehensive school health records and implements school health policies as required by State's Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs.
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Supervises and performs mandated screenings (vision, dental, hearing, scoliosis) and makes necessary referrals and/or provide appropriate follow up care as mandated by the State's School Health Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs.
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Reports health and safety issues to building administrators and/or appropriate agencies, such as bullying, suspected child or substance abuse, or health related issues for the purpose of maintaining students' safety, referring for proper treatment, maintaining a positive learning environment, and complying with regulatory requirements and established guidelines.
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Communicates and collaborates with parents, students, health care providers, and/or other agencies to refer for additional treatment/services, secure information, and promote overall health.
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Promotes health maintenance and disease prevention through health education and counseling/referral for students, families and staff to enhance individual, family and community health. This may include teaching a lesson to a particular classroom/set of students.
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Actively participates in ongoing professional development and keeps current with research and best practice for a variety of health and medical topics applicable to school nursing.
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Participates in a variety of meetings and interdisciplinary teams for the purpose of gathering, conveying and/or sharing information on student health needs, service delivery, and educational programs and/or improving skills and knowledge.
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Participates as the health team specialist on the student education evaluation team to develop the IEP or 504 plans in compliance with ADA and IDEA.
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Acts as a health resource for students, teachers and other school personnel by providing information and training on a variety of health related subjects, such as bloodborne pathogen training, disaster preparedness, health education, medication management, substance abuse, food allergies, safety and hygiene, etc.
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Complies with FERPA and HIPAA policies regarding confidentiality.
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Collaborates to establish health policies, protocols and procedures, and acts as a resource for the development of the school health curriculum.
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Collaborates with agencies and other school safety team members to conduct site assessments to identify potential issues and provide recommendations for improving safety and accessibility.
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Participates in annual review of standing orders and periodic revision of objectives, standards, policies, and functions of the school nurse, first/aid illness guidelines and the total school health program.
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Prevents and controls communicable disease spread, provides illness surveillance, ensures environmental infection controls and contact tracing and reports as indicated to the State's Department of Health.
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Exhibits attributes of reliable attendance, promptness, dependability, and professional ethics; Use effective communication skills with students, colleagues, families and related agencies (spoken, written and non-verbal); Complete all requested forms, reports, and data collections in an accurate and timely manner; Perform the functions of the position in accordance with the: State's Professional Code of Conduct; and all laws, regulations, school policies, directives, the mission of the school, school-based plans, and administrative priorities/requests.
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Collaborate with administration to promote and prioritize health, hygiene and safety in accordance with guidelines from the State's Department of Health, State Department of Education, and the CDC.
- Professional Responsibilities:
- Consistently, enthusiastically and deliberately promote and model the Nurses Middle College Pillars of Nursing: character, scholarship, compassion and empathy and professionalism.
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Exhibit investment in the school's mission and vision while demonstrating the core belief that people and schools can grow.
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Consistently demonstrate adherence to the fidelity of the curriculum and to the Nurses Middle College model.
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Act on the belief that all students can learn. Advocate for students' best interests at all times. Maintain expectations for growth mindset within the school community.
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Act ethically and with integrity while following all school, district, local, state and federal policies, procedures, and protocols.
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Use appropriate branding of the school that is aligned with mission and vision, in all internal and external communications.
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Contribute to a safe, supportive, and positive collegial environment while always maintaining a positive and professional attitude.
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Communicate ideas and information in a clear, logical, respectful and well-structured way, without ambiguity or unnecessary jargon.
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Uphold and celebrate a culture of equitable education where people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives can succeed.
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Adhere to the culture of high expectations, rigor, and accountability, and relentless self-improvement for students, families, colleagues and self.
- Other:
- Required attendance at various events is the expectation for employees. Attendance and meaningful participation in each planning day, professional development day, parent teacher conferences, new student open house, and graduation are required. Dates and times will be determined and employees will be notified as such.
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Perform such other duties and assume other responsibilities as may be assigned by the Director of Nursing, Executive Director and/or duties that are necessary to perform the functions of the position.
QUALIFICATIONS:
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Current non-restricted TN Licensure as a Registered Nurse is required.
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Bachelor's Degree for a regionally accredited institution (Bachelor of Science in Nursing preferred). Master's degree preferred, required within five (5) years.
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Three (3) years of documented experience as a Registered Nurse (Pediatric experience preferred).
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Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in urban charter school setting preferred - not required. Experience working with multicultural populations is preferred.
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Criminal background clearance (fingerprinting) required.
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Proof of U.S. Citizenship, residency or work visa required.
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Proficient in PowerSchool, Naviance, or other student management systems (SMS) required.
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Current CPR/AED Certification.
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Proof of all State Department of Heath-requiring vaccinations
Other requirements
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Criminal background clearance with fingerprinting
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Proof of U.S. citizenship, residency or work visa
BENEFITS:
NursesMC-Nashville offers a versatile benefit package to all eligible employees, which includes medical, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance plans; an integrated Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) plan; Flexible Spending Account (FSA) option; Retirement 403(b) Plan; Teacher Pension Plan; Employee Assistance Program (EAP); FICA, Medicare and State Temporary Disability Insurance (TDI) programs; paid holidays; paid time off (PTO); and professional development opportunities. NursesMC-Nashville is loyal and committed to employees; and the provision of a robust benefits package is just one way in which we prove that commitment.
Nurses Middle College Nashville does not engage in discriminatory employment practices based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin, nor in actions to refuse or deny the full and equal enjoyment of goods, facilities and accommodations available to the public, based on race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, or national origin. As an equal opportunity employer, diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging are at the core of who we are. We strive to create a workplace that reflects the communities we serve where everyone feels empowered as we celebrate multiple approaches and points of view. We are committed to maintaining a work and learning environment free from discrimination.
