Starting as a School Nurse this Fall- nervous and excited!

Specialties School

Published

Hello All!

This is my first time posting on here, but I've been a long-time reader. I've been working at a hospital for about a year and a half (my first nursing job), but I am going to start working as a school nurse in September at a NYC school for special needs children.This is a big change so early in my career. However, when I am at the hospital, I am anxious, I dread going to work, and a "rewarding" shift is few and far between. I am thinking about asking to stay on per diem at the hospital, this way I can make some extra money and hold on to those "hospital skills" as well, especially since I will be working with special needs children who may have more than bumps and bruises. Sometimes I still question if I am making the right decision, but I just don't know if I am the type of person who wants to work in the hospital environment full time for my whole career. I guess I will find out when I start in September how I like being a School Nurse! Any advice?

Nurse ABC

437 Posts

Congratulations on your new job! I think it's a great idea to stay per diem at the hospital. It gives you a back up if you decide school nursing isn't your thing and keeps your skills fresh. If you decide after a while you love school nursing and don't plan on ever returning to the hospital, it's fine to give that up if you don't need the money. Good luck!

cynmrn

124 Posts

Specializes in School Nursing, Telemetry.

I am in exactly the same position as you are! I have been working at a hospital for a year on the intermediate care unit (telemetry step down) and while I've appreciated learning and love my co-workers, I often go to work feeling anxiety and dread. There are some nights when I have fewer patients that I feel okay, but for the most part, I am just trying to get through it. During my BSN program, I did clinical for 6 months in the school district and loved it, and am starting out as a new school nurse in September. I am staying at my hospital and working every other Fri/Sat to keep my skills and continue to make a living wage. I'm really nervous, but I'm excited to see where it takes me. I went to school to become a nurse so I could have a career I look forward to, not one that puts knots in my stomach. Hoping this will be the one! Good luck to you, too!

Specializes in School Nurse and PRN.

How did it go? Do you love it?

WineRN

1,109 Posts

Specializes in NCSN.

Welcome!

One of the best things I was told in nursing school is

"Not everyone likes acute care and that's OK."

I dreaded going to work when I was at the hospital. It was profit over people, and with patient satisfaction surveys being so vital I was more of a maid than a nurse sometimes.

I'm new to the school nursing too, but I have a lot of experience with the DD/ID population. Things made get rough but it will be so rewarding.

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