ICU nurse wants to become a school nurse...

[caitiecait]

I have always wanted to become an elementary school teacher but somehow I ended up in nursing. My goal is to teach nursing, but I would also like to do school nursing in an elementary setting. As of right now I work in a MICU/Neuro ICU, and I am studying for my CCRN. I have my BSN and will be a nurse for 2 years this May of 2010. I know school nurses prefer you to have pediatric experience but can I still get hired with my ICU experience. I would not apply until the summer of 2010, but in the mean time I am thinking of applying to sub as a school nurse at a private school preK-12th. With the ICU experience, CCRN, and subbing experience do you think that is adequate experience for being hired to do school nursing? Also what is the salary. As of right now I get paid $20.91 an hour, which does not come out to diddly squat especially since our hospital took our ICU $2.50/hr specialty pay as well... GGRRR!:angryfire I know school nursing does not pay the greatest but if they could keep it in that area I would be ok with it b/c I would be doing something I :heartbeat! So any advice and input would be great!!!

[safarirn]

You should DEFINITELY start subbing at schools in your area. Typically there is not many openings for school nurses. When a position does open up, they will take the candidate with the most school nurse experience, or the one that has subbed & is familiar with their district & policies.

Before being hired as a school nurse this past year, I only had hospital experience & substitute school nurse experience (in a neighboring district). I really think the substitute nurse experience put me at the top of the list.

Good luck! I LOVE my position & wouldn't trade it for quadruple the pay @ a hospital!!

[frann]

I'm subbing right now.

where I'm at there seems to be a big turnover for school nurses. there have been 2 openings here in last couple of months but they filled up quickly.

you can call up human resources and they should be able to tell you pay. sometimes they list it on website.

goood god 20/hr seems kind of crappy to me esp for icu. Bless you

[AdobeRN]

Start subbing in the area you want to work. Where I lived - they would offere the jobs to the sub nurses first or at least give them the opportunity to interview for the position first. As far as pay goes - I am paid the same as a teacher - check the school district website - they may have the salary posted. It really isnt much of a pay cut when you factor in all the time off - I get Thanksgiving (1 week), Xmas (2 weeks), spring break (1 week), summer (10 weeks) + the random holidays thru the year. You can always work PRN during these breaks.

[caitiecait]

Thank you for your advice. I am going to apply today to start subbing. The pay I get in the ICU is no where near what I should be making especially with all the crap we deal with. Im excited to learn a whole new area in nursing!!