Swarthmore College is a highly selective liberal arts college located in the suburbs of Philadelphia, whose mission combines academic rigor with social responsibility. Swarthmore has a strong institutional commitment to inclusive excellence and nondiscrimination in its educational program and employment practices and encourages candidates who will further advance the goal of fostering a diverse and inclusive community. As one of the nation’s finest institutions of higher learning, Swarthmore College is global in outlook and draws students from around the nation and world. The 425‐acre campus is a designated arboretum, complete with gardens, rolling lawns, a creek, wooded hills, and hiking trails in the Crum Woods.

Who We Are:

Student Health and Wellness is located in the Worth Health Center, which is nestled in a multi-variety magnolia orchard adjacent to the Benjamin West Parking Lot right off of Rt. 320. The center comprises Student Health Services, Counseling & Psychological Services, and a comprehensive wellness education team.

Swarthmore’s Health and Wellness staff supports the needs of our diverse student body by providing individualized holistic care and campus-wide education.  The nurse practitioner model offers acute and chronic health care services, as well as preventive health services with a focus on issues that impact college students.  Students can also receive services in study abroad and travel immunization, allergy desensitization, reproductive health, vaccination, LGBTQ wellness, nutrition, alcohol and other drug counseling, and more.

The Student Wellness Program includes campus-wide events and activities that help build the skills necessary for healthy living through the promotion of physical, intellectual, mental, sexual, and spiritual health and wellness. Our mission is to uplift and guide the whole student along their health journey with compassion, respect, and connection. 

The opportunity:

The Registered Nurse is a 9-month, full-time position, providing primary and acute health care to students as a member of the collaborative Student Health Center team. The Registered Nurse provides professional services in the physical and psychosocial health care and concerns of students. Responsibilities include: assessing health status, performing triage, and creating plans for therapeutic regiments; following medical protocols for plans of care; education and information students and others on campus on health needs or issues and treatments.  The typical working schedule expected in this on campus position is mid-August to mid-May, without disruption of benefits during the summer.

Essential Responsibilities

• Provide direct patient care and collaborate with other SHWS clinical staff to assist with patient management as required. (30%)
• Perform the following clinical responsibilities: triage, physical assessment, obtain a medical history, check vital signs, counsel, and treat patients with minor illnesses and injuries; collect and interpret data in consultation with a nurse practitioner or physician; communicate findings on the medical record and with the student to facilitate further data collection and exchange of ideas in order to arrive at a mutually agreed upon and acceptable solution to actual or potential health problems. (30%)
• Consultation with other medical providers and/or refer students to nurse practitioners or physicians and other community health care providers beyond the scope of a college health service provider as needed. (20%)
• Dispense medications to students as needed based on protocol and educates/informs students about particular health needs or issues and treatments in order to promote healthy decision-making and input into and compliance with plan of care. (10%)
• Assist with immunization compliance and health record review of incoming students and support campus emergency preparedness and response as delegated by the Director of Student Health Services and assists students in identifying and utilizing resources designed to improve and maintain health. (10%)

Who you are:

• You are friendly, welcoming, and able to work autonomously as outlined in the registered nurse scope of practice.
• You are able to multi-task, triage health problems, and respond effectively to medical emergencies within a team dynamic while being adaptable, accountable and dependable.
• You are patient, compassionate, excited to learn new things, and are able to accept critical and helpful feedback.
• You understand and appreciate the values of a residential liberal arts college rooted in Quaker traditions, including respect for the individual, consensus decision-making and social responsibility.
• You are a strong leader, with excellent interpersonal, communication and critical thinking skills.

What you bring:

Required Qualifications

• BSN, RN degree from an accredited program required; two years experience as a registered nurse preferred.
• Current Certification as a Registered Nurse in Pennsylvania at the time of hire.
• Current CPR/BLS Certification as well as proficiency in phlebotomy.
• Must have skill with using standard equipment (otoscope, stethoscope, sphygmomanometer, nebulizer, peak flow and AED).
• Knowledge of and experience supporting a diverse student community, including race, gender, and LGBTQ+ identities, combined with an affinity for working closely with students.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with electronic health records desired.
• Experience with adolescent and young adult/college aged patients, preferably in a college health setting, is strongly preferred but not required.

What You Will Get:

You’ll work at one of the world's most renowned liberal arts Colleges, with incredible benefits, a stunning 420-acre campus, and a collaborative work environment. Join a team of passionate, creative people who work hard and have fun supporting the College students, faculty, and staff.

We want to hear from you if you are excited about this role! For full consideration, submit applications with an uploaded resume, including a cover letter, by February 16, 2026. Applications received after this date may be reviewed on a rolling basis until the job has been filled. A cover letter indicating how your qualifications and experience have prepared you for this position. If you have experience that meets any of the preferred qualifications, please include a detailed explanation of any such experience in your cover letter and how it meets the preferred qualification(s).

The market range for this position is $60,000-$65,000 per year, which represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range at the time of posting. The salary offered is determined based on factors including, but not limited to, experience and education of the final selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information.

PA Criminal Clearance Required

Swarthmore College requires a PA Criminal background check for all staff positions prior to the start of employment.

Education Verification Required by Position

An education verification is required for this position because a college degree is a required qualification for this position.

Preview our Benefits Flyer. We offer benefit plans starting at zero cost! Upon benefit eligibility, the College contributes 10% of an employee’s salary to their retirement account. Employees are 100% vested in their accounts on the date participation begins.

2026 Swarthmore Benefits Guidebook

Retirement Plans

Tuition Grant Program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Time Off (Staff)

Holiday Schedule

Swarthmore College is committed to creating a culture of respect and inclusion so that every member of our community feels a sense of belonging. We actively seek and welcome candidates with diverse perspectives and experiences, exceptional qualifications, and a demonstrable commitment to a more inclusive society and world. Swarthmore College is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any identity or characteristic protected by law or College Policy.