Advice for (hopeful) newbie?

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Hello fellow nurses :),

I have been following this forum for a while, but just now registered with allnurses. All your threads and comments have helped me immensly in my decision to pursue school nursing and what to expect.

I am currently working at an elementary school as a 1:1 nurse/ paraeducator in the special ed. classroom, have been for the past 8 months. Before that I worked as a pre & post-op RN in an eye surgery center just after I graduated and got licensed May '10. So, I have some experience in a school setting and I am already taking courses towards my clear school nurse services credential (I have my prelimiary) and I plan on taking audiometry/audiology in the fall. I am on the right track, but it is just so hard to find a job these days without lots of experience, and especially without any hospital experience.

I am going in for an interview next week for a health educator/school nurse position (at the district where I completed my own K-12 education!) and I am just looking for any advice or words of wisdom preparing for and going into this interview. I have interviewed for a school nurse position before I had experience working in a school, and realized how much I didn't know (such as IEPs, section 504... they don't teach that in nursing school!!)

For this upcoming interview, there will be a panel of 3 people, 2 of which are district nurses. To those of you school nurses, what would you look for in a candidate during the interview process? I have qualities that I know would be desirable for the position, but I can also admit that there is still much I don't know- but I am trainable and eager to learn. I guess I am kinda freaking out because I REALLY want the job and don't want to blow it. Is there anything in particular I should study up on before the interview?

Thank you all :heartbeat

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No advice, really, just wanted to wish you good luck! It sounds as though you have a good background, and at this point you know what you know. Everything else can be learned, as long as someone is willing to help. Let us know, please. :)

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Hi! This may sound weird but are you by any chance interviewing at the San Ramon Valley district?? :)

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rdsxfnrn- Thank you for the good luck!

MissLindsayRN- Yes, I was talking about an interview with the SRVUSD (how funny!), Are you a nurse in the district!? :)

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Just be genuine and confident. You are the one with the medical expertise, they have no idea!!

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Specializes in Community & Mental Health, Sp Ed nursing.

Hi Krystina:

Martha recommends doing a search on this form for interview questions.

Did a nurse get hired for the position where you are at now?

Good luck with your interview!

Cheers,

elizabeth

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Hi Elizabeth, no they have not yet hired a new nurse to fill my current position. I still may be returning; it depends on if I hear back that any of these other districts want to hire me as a school nurse :/ Thanks for the advice, searching this forum served as a great resource!

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Hi, Sorry I haven't been on in a while! How did your interview go? No, I don't work for the district right now, but my hubbie does. He works in Special Ed. I love that district. I'm also hoping to get a job there. :)

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Hi, Sorry I haven't been on in a while! How did your interview go? No, I don't work for the district right now, but my hubbie does. He works in Special Ed. I love that district. I'm also hoping to get a job there. :)

My interview went pretty well, I think.. Thanks! :) I should hear back sometime this week. Yes, it is a great district, I would be elated to get a school nurse job there. Did you apply for the same job?

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Specializes in school RN, CNA Instructor, M/S.

just wanted to wish you well Krystina!!! Are any of you going to DC? It's not my first nursing conference but it is my first NASN one!

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Hi, no I'm just thinking about applying for a 1:1 nurse position. I did that for this district when I first graduated in 09 but then I got hired at Children's Hospital where I have been for about a year and a half. I just really don't like it and want to be back at the school where I loved my job. We'll see.... they haven't posted anything yet for the 1:1's but they usually don't until the end of summer. I'm keeping my fingers crossed :) Have you heard anything back yet for the one you applied for?

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Thank you all for your well wishes- they worked! I was just offered a part-time school nurse job at my current district! :D I look forward to joining this profession.

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