Is school nursing right for me?

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Specializes in ICU, Adventures in school nursing.

I love being a nurse! I've worked in acute care for the past 10 years, and spent the last 1 year in critical care. I've been working evenings since my kids were born (6 years) so that we can avoid daycare. In the fall, both kids will be in school full time. I am seriously contemplating whether school nursing would be a good fit for me. The pay is much less than what I make at the hospital, but the hours.....no more weekends or holidays, home with my family every evening. I'm pretty sure if I made the change I would still stay on per diem at the hospital to pick up occasional shifts to maintain my acute care skills.

I am interviewing for a substitute nurse position for the school system in my town tomorrow. I'm hoping by doing this I can get a feel for what school nursing is all about. The person I am interviewing with is a financial manager/director for the school administration, so I'm not sure if he'll be able to answer my questions about the school nurse's role.

Have any of you left hospital nursing after a decade to be a school nurse?

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You said you worked in acute care, but you didn't mention if you worked in pediatrics. I worked inpatient acute care pedi and did home care pedi for a lot of years...took a few years off...and just started working as a sub school nurse in Feb. There is definitely a learning curve I have found; school nursing is unique, but I think you seem to have a lot of experience.

I would think it would be important to ask to shadow one of their school nurses for a day, or even a half day.....

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I think it really depends on what you're looking for. School nurses in our district cover several schools each and are mainly involved with paperwork and disability plans. Hardly any patient care or interaction at all. We have health assistants who do the majority of the hands on stuff with the kids. Good luck with your decision!

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Wow I would LOVE if I was lucky enough to have an aide to do most of the hands on stuff. Here, you are only allowed an aide if you have more than 800 students. I work at an elemtary school with around 750 kids. So I do hands on, med administration, documentation, ARD paperwork, 504 meetings, lectures/presentations on such things like EpiPens, HIV, lice, ect. I can't even go to the bathroom without someone calling me on the intercom searching for me.

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Specializes in ICU, Adventures in school nursing.

So, my interview went well. I was offered a permanent sub position for the 2014-2015 school year, but opted for just per diem at this time. Before I make the jump from hospital nursing, I want to get a feel for what school nursing is like. I have very limited experience with pediatrics, but I'm looking forward to working with the kids. I'm starting orientation before the end of this school year based on my convenience and availability.

I forgot to ask some questions. Maybe you all could help. I am ACLS certified, do I need PALS to be a sub nurse? Do you all have your own or are you covered by the district? I've never carried my own malpractice insurance, although I know I should.

I'm excited for this new adventure!

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Congrats! I think subbing first is a great choice so you can see if it really is right for you! Glad you get orientation so many of us get none when we start. Definitely get your own insurance. For about $120/year it is totally worth it. The school's lawyers will protect the school you want someone protecting YOU!

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Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

I would be surprised if you need PALS for your school nurse position, but check with your school district just to be sure.

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