Is it worth the little pay?

Specialties School

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Hello all! I recently had an interview today as a school nurse as an LPN. I have only 3 months nursing home experience, but brought a binder full of first aid, neb treatments, lice info, seizure info, diabete info, etc, to show I was serious. They seemed to be impressed, said anybody would be lucky to have me (Thats what they all say -rolls eyes- ) But, I asked about pay...she said its usually 19,000 something to 33,000, me probably starting at the lower end because of experience. Now, from what I hear benefits are great. I am 21 and I want to start my life out. I work graveyards at the nursing home, about 2-3 days a week, 16.50. I get soooo stressed there. I do a great job from what people tell me, but I get so excited thinking of working at the school. Having a work family, helping kids, setting up bulletins and announcements, a DAY job, which I never thought I would miss til I started nights. Well, I guess what I'm asking is...is working at alittle more pay than I basically get at a grocery store (Where I also work), worth it? Is it worth the less stress. I work a hall some nights where I have 40+ people because I get two halls...imagine morning med pass, guh, and PRN meds...Can you even haggle with salary? If they say we're starting you at the lowest, can you beg to differ? hahaha. Thanks in advance, and please pray I do get the job though for me!

Specializes in Adult ICU/PICU/NICU.

I think you are very lucky to find work as a school nurse as a fairly new grad and as an LPN. The state where I practice lets LPNs work as "assistant" school nurses generally working in special needs units or giving 1:1 care to complex students that the regular school nurse simply wouldn't have time to work with. The actual school nurse who is responsible for the health and safety of the students and the staff must be a BSN educated RN with a certificate from the state department of education. We don't generally hire new grads either. In fact, many of our school nurses are former critical care nurses who needed a little less adrenaline rush. I'm a retired PICU LPN with many many years of experience, and I myself can only legally work as an assistant....so considering yourself very lucky to have this job, despite the low initial pay.

The pay will increase with time. You can also work to make extra income in the summer time. If you can do peds acute care in a hospital setting, I think that might really help you out as a school nurse considering that we are seeing more medically fragile children in schools these days that you didn't see years ago. I hope that you will consider getting your RN as well. Education is a great investment that will pay for itself many times over. Education is one of the few things in this world that nobody can ever take away from you.

Best wishes in your new position....you'll do great!

Mrs H.

1. Do you have a family? children?

2. Does your husband make enough to supplement your income?

3. Are you interested in paid vacations (summer, spring break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, and holidays?)

4. Can you tolerate a seating position (desk job) for 8 hours?

5. Are you good with public speaking?

6. Are you confident enough to work by yourself?

7. Confident enough to make nursing decisions?

If you answer "yes" to all, then you shouldn't think twice. I would suggest working PRN at the hospital though, cause once you out for quite some time, it's hard to go back.

Specializes in Homecare, Public Health.

I don't get paid a lot but, I will have a nice pension when I retire. I have the same days off as my kids, snow days off, multiple vacations and summers off. My oldest even went to the same high school I work in (that was and wasn't a benefit).

It's not a cake job and it's never boring. I do however have to work a part time job to earn extra money. I stay because I really like it and when I finally get my RN I'll be able to put in to run my own school.

The money is not the best but I am home to get my son off the bus each day, off for a week at Christmas, Presidents Day and Easter and I have the summer off. It's not easy but I love the kids, love the hours, love the time off. It's like being the mom to 100 extra kids each day.

Specializes in Telemetry, Gastroenterology, School Nrs.

You mentioned the Nurse:patient ratio making you feel like you could lose your license. In most places, the nurse:student ratio is worse. I am the district nurse, with an assistant nurse. She is 1 nurse: ~350 students. I am responsible for 3 schools... 1 nurse: ~ 1400 students.

Being a school nurse is a fantastic job and I wish you luck. Just wanted you to be aware of just how stressful it can get!

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