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Career Assistance for Registered Nurses in Education (CARE)

Career Assistance for Registered Nurses in Education

What is CARE?

CARE is LAUSD's newest Career Ladder program. CARE provides individualized support, mentoring, and financial assistance to classified employees seeking a career in school nursing. CARE is a program of support, not a nursing education program.

Members are advised on the myriad of pre-licensure nursing programs approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing; however, the member is responsible for choosing, applying, and completing a nursing program of their choice. LAUSD does not have an affiliation agreement with any pre-licensure nursing program which guarantees admission for CARE members.

Member Benefits

Initial school nurse pathway planning, advisement, and guidance

Financial assistance up to $8,000 annually for education expenses including tuition reimbursement, textbooks, equipment and technology

Fieldwork surveys and experiences with LAUSD School Nurses for early exposure to the practice

Yearly mentor meetings to offer support and review educational goals and benchmarks

Continuing education through the Career Ladder Forum

Hiring assistance to become a full-time credentialed school nurse

Commitment

Program participants agree to an employment commitment of two full academic years as a school nurse with a clear credential in exchange for the support provided by the CARE program.

Please review the CARE Policy Guide for complete details.

Who Can Apply

Current classified employees may apply who are ready and committed to undertake a rigorous course of study and preparation at a regionally accredited institution of their choice that will enable them to achieve employment as a credentialed school nurse in LAUSD. School nurses are required to have a Bachelor's degree in any subject from a regionally accredited college or university and an active California RN license. A foreign bachelors degree that has been evaluated by an approved vendor for US equivalency will be accepted.

The CARE program supports its members in all phases of these requirements- nursing school pre-requisites, associate's nursing degree, and/or a bachelors degree. Prior to applying to the CARE program, interested candidates are encouraged to watch the information session below and explore various nursing program's requirements and prerequisites.

Please see the Nursing Program Resources section below which provides information on many approved pre-licensure nursing programs in the state. Interested candidates are encouraged to explore these institutions' nursing websites for nursing program prerequisites and admission information.

How to Apply

1. Candidates are encouraged to schedule an individualized virtual advisement meeting with the CARE specialist, Holly Nuckols, RN to discuss your nursing goals and readiness to apply to the program: www.teachinla.co/clholly

2. If ready to apply, please use the LAUSD application platform: www.teachinla.co/careapplication

3. Please log in with your LAUSD single sign. Complete the profile and job-specific questions. Please attach your most recent transcripts.

4. A reference from your current supervisor is required. In the application section titled "Teachers/Administrators References," please add the name, title, email, and phone number of your current LAUSD supervisor, i.e. nursing coordinator, principal. A confidential reference form will be sent when you apply.

5. Selected candidates will undergo an interview for final selection.

Join us for an in-person information session at the Career Ladder Forum on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Please register using the QR code or link on the flyer!