Should I Apply?

Specialties School

Published

There is an open position for a middle school nurse. It's 7-8 grades & they recently upped the pay from $18,000~/year to $22,000~/year.

I'm thinking of applying. I do live in a low COL area. Is that reasonable pay? What do you guys/gals think?

attachment.php?attachmentid=24738&stc=1

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Disclaimer: OrganizedChaos, you have more nursing experience than me, I am not a school nurse, and I have very limited experience with pediatrics.

Should you apply? Why not. It is not like you are accepting the position yet. At this point, you have nothing to lose except time and money spent on commuting to and from wherever the interview will be held.

During the interview, you can ask to shadow the place. At least shadow the school for a while before accepting the position.

I've worked PDN a good portion of my nursing career. Actually much younger kids than 7-8 graders, so that age range will be new to me.

I did apply but haven't heard back yet so we will see what happens! Personally, I'd be happy to get any job since I'm a SAHM right now.

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
I've worked PDN a good portion of my nursing career. Actually much younger kids than 7-8 graders, so that age range will be new to me.

I did apply but haven't heard back yet so we will see what happens! Personally, I'd be happy to get any job since I'm a SAHM right now.

OK, excuse the dumb question...what is SAHM?

Stay at home mom

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
Stay at home mom

OH!! The hardest job ever!!!

Only 22k a year? Seriously? Why on earth would you take that job? Waiters/Waitresses make more then that! You bust your ass in school to become a nurse and thats what youre willing to accept? Hell no. Not in a million years.

I think that you should apply if you know it will make you happy and if you think that you will ind joy in the job

Specializes in school nursing.

I say go for it. I am an RN, in Mass (SUPER high living expenses) and took my first school nurse job making about what you will be starting at.

Do I think the salary is reflective of the work I put in? Heck no. Not even close.

Do I regret taking the job? Absolutely not. School nursing is my passion and I can't imagine doing anything else. And that measly little job lead me to a much higher paying position just a year later.

Did I have to take on a second job to live the life I wanted? (I see getting my nails done as a necessity :rolleyes:) Yes I did. I had to make that decision for myself, just like you will have to think about all of your options as well.

If school nursing is something you really want to do, this is a great opportunity to get your feet wet. Luckily, the school nurse schedule is FABULOUS and finding a second job to work around the 7-3 lifestyle is actually realistic. And always remember that as a school nurse you have the summers off, which give you plenty of time to supplement your income (for example, I'm a camp nurse 3-4x a week) so that's extra earnings you aren't seeing in your projected annual income.

I was able to supplement my income with a year round part time gig, and the summer camp, by $12k this school year.

I hope this long-winded, self-reflective post gave you some help in your decision :cheeky:

Good luck! Let us know!

Specializes in M/S, LTC, Corrections, PDN & drug rehab.
Only 22k a year? Seriously? Why on earth would you take that job? Waiters/Waitresses make more then that! You bust your ass in school to become a nurse and thats what youre willing to accept? Hell no. Not in a million years.

Like I said before, my husband is the only one working so that is a huge bump up in pay in what I am currently making. Could I get a job in LTC or PDN? Yes, but I hate both. Because I have been a SAHM for so long I have no chance in hell in getting the 1 hospital position that shows up every so often.

I find $22,000/year better than $0/year. Especially since I'm stuck living at my mom's house at 29 with my family. I'd rather be able to provide for my family on my own.

Only 22k a year? Seriously? Why on earth would you take that job? Waiters/Waitresses make more then that! You bust your ass in school to become a nurse and thats what youre willing to accept? Hell no. Not in a million years.

I'm an LPN in MN and this is fairly comparable to what I started at- a BIG pay cut from my hospital and PDN salaries. Why would you take it? How about having summers, holidays, weekends free with your kids! As a mother of two and an LPN for nearly 19 years working in a school has been one of the most rewarding and challenging jobs I've had and has also allowed me to be a present and involved mother as well as giving me insight into the educational system which only betters my role for my children . I hope you get it!!

Specializes in Psychiatry, Community, Nurse Manager, hospice.

22k per year works out to $11/hour if you were working full time, all year. Where I live, this is an unreasonable salary for any nurse, but I live in a very high cost of living area. Where I live school nurses must be BSN trained with a special school nurse certificate and they make around 55k.

That having been said, it's a great position for transitioning from stay at home mom. You will be off when your kids are off and work when they are in school. So there's lot of benefits to this. I hope you get it.

Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.
22k per year works out to $11/hour if you were working full time, all year.

But it's not annually. It's for 186 work days.

Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.
Only 22k a year? Seriously? Why on earth would you take that job? Waiters/Waitresses make more then that! You bust your ass in school to become a nurse and thats what youre willing to accept? Hell no. Not in a million years.

Actually that wage is not too horrible when you consider that salary is for about 7 months work. That leaves plenty of time over the long summer break to pick up another job to supplement that income

+ Add a Comment