should i take this school nurse job?

Specialties School

Published

hi! this is my first time posting on here, so sorry if i don't format or use something correctly.

here we go- i graduated with my BSN in december of 2014. i got a job at a big teaching hospital on a med/surg unit and immediately HATED it. like, talking full fledged panic attacks before going to work. i switched to night shift thinking it'd be a bit slower-paced (and i was right) but i still really dislike the job...and working nights is not for me. i love the extra money but i feel like i never see anyone and i'm always asleep during the day etc. i really want to work in women's services in a clinic, but i've only got 8 months of experience as an RN and that's not very attractive to any potential employers. i applied to a few schools in my area and got a call from one of them. i went in for an interview this morning and they offered me the job on the spot. i of course asked for some time to think about it and i've got until Monday to figure it out.

so here's my reservations- 1. it's a high school and i'm only 22...im worried the kids might not respect me, but i also think i would be able to get a good rapport going with that aged kids...i could see it going either way. 2. there's over 3000 students on campus and i'd be the only nurse!! i was told there's a nurses aid, but she's really more of a clerical position and isn't a CNA or anything... 3. im worried about my experience...i only have 8 months experience as an RN and i'd be the only medical professional in the building...that's a little scary :arghh:

so, what do you guys like about being a school nurse? what's your average day? how many students are in your school? how long were you a nurse when you were hired at a school? i feel like i hardly know anything about the position or what i would even be doing all day! i was told there's a 2 week training period to learn the documentation system/get acclimated. i'd just like to hear some input from people who already do it. thank you so much for reading and hopefully i get some responses!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

"so, what do you guys like about being a school nurse?"

I like the hours and the kids.

"what's your average day?"

There is no average day. Read a lot of our posts here. There is puking, concussions, injuries, drugs, psych stuff- anorexia, cutting..strep mono, headaches and everyone always has their periods!!!

"how many students are in your school?"

About 750, grades 7-12

"how long were you a nurse when you were hired at a school? "

Over 20 years

"i feel like i hardly know anything about the position or what i would even be doing all day! i was told there's a 2 week training period to learn the documentation system/get acclimated. i'd just like to hear some input from people who already do it. thank you so much for reading and hopefully i get some responses"

I personally would not take a job at a school that large as the only nurse. Do you know why the last nurse left? How many other candidates did they interview before they hired you on the spot?

Best of luck!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I'm trying to put this in a manner that isn't insulting to you so if it comes across that way please don't take it that way. Your experience is what it is and you can't change that so this has nothing to do with YOUR nursing ability or skill. I would take a long look, however, and be cautious, of taking the position considering that you, with your experience, were offered the position on the spot. It may reflect that the position, especially with 3000 students with no real help, is a position that they have had trouble filling for whatever reason - most likely budgetary issues. They could be using your license as a way to transfer the health responsibility from the principal to you/your RN license. I've seen this happen in LTC care facilities where they hire new grads as DONs - same reason. It may be helpful to ask about the history of this position to see if there has been any turnover. Historically, turnover in school nursing is very low and usually someone has to die or retire for a position to come open. Good Luck. Let us know what you decide.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.

I can give you my perspective. I started school nursing 8 months after nursing school and it was my first job. I was also 22 and was working over 4 elementary schools and 1 middle school for a few months. Then I got a permanent position working at the high school district as the only nurse for 2 high schools with about 2500 kids. I loved my job. I thought my age would hinder me, but the students listened and I can relate to them in which older staff member couldn't. I also acted as a "teen translator" ;). Plus, I wasn't afraid to put my foot down with students and staff.

Currently, I'm working at one high school of a population of 3k and the only nurse. We have a NP 3 days a week who does sensitive services so she can sometimes be my back-up/consult, but it's pretty much me and I've seen 15-30 students a day so far. I'm also about to be 26 and still mistaken for a student :cry:

Can you do it? Yes. Should you do it? It's up to you. As a new grad I had support from the staff at my schools and there was an awesome New School Nurse Orientation put on by a local school district that helped me so much. I connected with local school nurses and we all helped each other. The NASN is a fantastic resource and so is this thread.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

thanks for the input guys! one of the people who interviewed me gave me her card and said to email her any questions that i had. of course as soon as i left, i remembered all the questions i wanted to ask. i definitely want to find out why the last nurse left and the turnover rate. are there other things you would ask? i feel this is all happening very quickly. i applied for the position late at night wednesday, got a call for the interview on thursday, and the interview was today (friday) so i'm feeling a little rushed about the whole thing!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

Currently, I'm working at one high school of a population of 3k and the only nurse...I've seen 15-30 students a day so far.

What I want to know is... How do you get your staff to only send 15-30 kids for a 3k population school? One of my schools has 575 and on the days I'm there I see anywhere from 40-60 on average. I'm envious! I see about 15 a day in my little school of 250.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
What I want to know is... How do you get your staff to only send 15-30 kids for a 3k population school? One of my schools has 575 and on the days I'm there I see anywhere from 40-60 on average. I'm envious! I see about 15 a day in my little school of 250.

I was thinking the same thing! I see 15+ kids a day in a school of 100 kids!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I see 20-40.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I average 40-80 kids a day with a student population of 950

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nurse.

Right now I only see 10-15 students per day, not including daily meds. I have ~600 in my school. It will pick up once the cold/flu season hits, but I almost never see more than 25-30.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ED, School Nurse.

I have been averaging 40 students daily this year, which is up from previous years. I have 650-700 kids in my school. Not sure why all of the sudden they are all so needy.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in School Nursing, Public Health Nurse.
What I want to know is... How do you get your staff to only send 15-30 kids for a 3k population school? One of my schools has 575 and on the days I'm there I see anywhere from 40-60 on average. I'm envious! I see about 15 a day in my little school of 250.

I have high school kids and the numbers might be higher. If they want just band-aids, cough drops, pads, etc. the front desk staff hands it to them and writes it in a log. They only see me if they want treatment. If they want to go home per school policy they can go home without seeing me as long as the front desk people talk to a parent who gives the okay. Also, my health center isn't easy to find and they didn't have a nurse for a while. I'm pretty sure not every one knows I'm here. There's also a lot of stigma with coming to the Health Center because besides me, we do birth control/Paps/MH counseling here and some students are afraid to be seen here. We try to do outreach to the freshman classes to let them know our full scope of services. But pretty much, the kids are independent.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment