Hello all!

I am fairly new grad (end of August 2012 and passed boards a week later) and I am just past the one month period of my orientation being a BSN-RN on a medical-oncology floor. I, like many other new grads, am questioning my desire to continue working at the bedside. My reasons aren't because of the novelty of work and the periods of uncertainty that I have for what am I doing, but it is because I have some physical health issues that is making working 40hrs a week on my feet fairly difficult. I knew of this health issue prior to starting nursing school and thought that I would be able to work full-time for a period of time- 2 or 3 years-without much issue. Those thoughts appear to be inaccurate. As a result, I been looking into other specialties that may be more accomodating.

One of the nursing specialities I am considering, and have actually applied to already, is a school nurse position. The one I applied for is managing 350 students for grades 5-8. While I remain excited about the potential opportunity, I am concerned that I may be passed over due to my gender status of being a guy. I am aware that there are male school nurses out there somewhere and that it would illegal for the potential employer to discriminate me because of my gender, but I have to talk to and/or meet a male school nurse. Plus, I am thinking about the issues that can present itself at the middle school issue, in particular the female side and the potential avoidance of seeking help from me (assuming I got the position) if they felt like they needed it.

Does anyone have any insight for me? I my reply is fairly vague and I havent provided specific questions to be answered, but any response, either specific or general from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

Sorry in paragraph 2 I meant to say "...I have YET to talk to..."

I don't think you would have any difficulty getting hired as a school nurse just because you're a male. I think the female issues could be handled by already having supplies in the bathroom where you can direct any girls needing them and/or have a female teacher or secretary available to talk to any girl that may have questions and be uncomfortable talking to you. The same way schools have to ask a male teacher to have the puberty talk with boys you could actually do one for the boys and have a female teacher take care of the girls or you could present the info and then leave for them to ask questions of a female teacher. A lot of schools don't even ask for the nurse to do that-it's sometimes just covered in regular health class. So those are ways to take care of those issues. I really don't think there are any negatives to having a male nurse-whether you're male or female you should have a heart for kids, be kind but firm, have good assessment skills, etc. Just know, however, that at a busy middle school, you may still be on your feet all day long. There have been many schools I've not gotten to sit down or even get a lunch break. It is less physically demanding than running down hospital hallways and lifting on patients all day though. Other schools I sit so much my back gets really stiff from not moving around! It just depends but it seems middle school kids whine the most and visit the nurse a lot. Good luck to you!