THE GORDON SCHOOL
School Nurse
July, 2026
Overview
Founded in 1910 as the Open Air School by pediatrician Dr. Helen West Cooke, Gordon was Rhode Island’s first non-public, all-gender school. Today, Gordon is a racially and socio-economically diverse Nursery through eighth grade independent school with an enrollment of 345 students, renowned nationally for a multicultural curriculum and a commitment to equity, inclusion, and social justice.
Our curriculum focuses on developing intellectual leadership by leveraging a child’s natural imagination, creativity, and inquisitive nature. Students are challenged and inspired to be active participants in their own education, and faculty and staff strive to develop deep and meaningful relationships with each child and family.
Opportunity
We are seeking a School Nurse who possesses a compassionate and empathetic spirit, and a desire to support the health and wellbeing of children, their families, and adults in our community. The ideal candidate has the capacity for flexibility and collaboration, as well as the aptitude to manage a busy Health Services Office with a steady, calm, and joyful disposition.
We wish to fill the position for the upcoming 2026/2027 academic year.
Job Description
In collaboration with the Leadership Team and faculty and staff, the School Nurse will promote a healthy school environment and provide health services to students and staff as outlined in the State of Rhode Island’s Rules and Regulations for School Health Programs published by the State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and the State Department of Health. This position reports directly to the Chief Financial Officer who is also the Assistant Head of School for Campus Operations.
The School Nurse position is 40 hours per week, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and follows the academic calendar (starting the first Wednesday in September and ending the second Wednesday in June). The School Nurse is expected to participate in opening and closing faculty and staff meetings and update the student medical database in August.
Minimum Qualifications
Current RI license as a Registered Nurse
Bachelor's Degree preferred
Current CPR and First Aid Certification
Personal Attributes and Skills Required
- Possess an empathic spirit in approach with students, families, and faculty and staff
- Appreciate and enjoy working with children and families
- Be energetic, flexible, and open to change
- Be able to manage multiple students’ needs simultaneously
- Be resourceful
- Be able to serve a diverse population across a wide range of identities: gender, race, religion, socioeconomic status, family configuration, sexual orientation, ethnicity, and ability
- Possess excellent communication skills, both verbal and in written
- Be well organized with an ability to manage database files and health services paperwork
- See themselves as a critical component of the systems in place that support the social and emotional wellbeing of students
- Be willing and excited to collaborate with teachers, administration, parents, and students
Duties and Expectations
- In collaboration with Gordon’s Leadership Team and the student support services team, develop and implement health and safety protocols
- Collaborate with parent and primary care physicians to implement strategies for managing students’ chronic health problems
- Engage with colleagues to maintain a knowledge about how social identifiers impact student experience
- Maintain a broad knowledge of pediatric healthcare including but not limited to diabetes management, concussion protocols, orthopedics, and advanced first aid care
- Engage with faculty and staff during meetings, professional development, and affinity groups designed to further Gordon's mission to create an inclusive community
- Develop policy and implement procedures to comply with all local, state, and federal requirements
- Provide first aid and emergency services as needed
- Provide nursing services to students according to the Nursing Process and Gordon School’s Standing Orders
- Properly document all services provided to children
- Maintain empathic and efficient communication between school and student caregivers
- Ensure immunization status of all students comply with state requirements
- Conduct annual health screening procedures
- Manage the medication administration system
- Collaborate with faculty, Leadership Team, staff, and student support team
- Maintain all student Mandatory Health Records and database information
- Maintain health service equipment and purchase supplies as needed
- Independently evaluate, assess, prioritize, and treat student medical conditions while practicing under written standing orders from Gordon’s off-site consulting physician
Responsibilities for School Health Environment
- Review Gordon School Accident Reports and make recommendations to the Leadership Team as needed
- Participate in safety assessments with supervisors and maintenance staff as needed
- Provide mandatory in-service education to faculty and staff per state requirements
We strongly encourage applications from people of color, LGBTQIA+ educators, or educators from communities that are historically underrepresented in independent schools.
On campus housing is available at a discounted rental rate.
How to apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit the following materials:
- A cover letter describing why you are interested in working at Gordon and how your talents and experience are a fit for this position.
- A current résumé.
Please send your materials electronically in one email and as separate PDF documents to:
Tom Cicatiello, CFO and Assistant Head of School for Campus Operations and Auxiliary Programs
Email: [email protected]
No phone calls, please.
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending account
- Free parking
- Health insurance
- Life insurance
- Paid sick time
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Relocation assistance
- Retirement plan
Work Location: In person
