Another new school nurse

[Meerkats]

Hello school nurses! I'm in pediatric home health with 2 years of experience and I have an interview for a school nurse position later this week.

I just wanted to say hello, and thank you to all the nurses that give such great info on this forum. I've been reading up on interview questions and advice for new school nurses.

I want to know, what do you love about your job?

What's your least favorite?

Would you go back to hospital or clinic nursing?

[Keeperofbandages, LPN]

I love the relationships I get to build with my students and their parents. My least favorite is the beginning of the year mound of paperwork to go through. I have been in school health going on my 6th year now (with some home health on the side) and I honestly never want to do anything else.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Its's the hardest job I have ever loved. I think it is what you make it. I love the longterm connection with families, I'm on my 2nd generation, with the 3rd coming up soon!!...gah!!

I hate the paperwork but have learned the quicker I deal with it, the better it is. Already planning for fall paperwork that needs to be in place.

But the kids, they are so entertaining!!!!!!!!!!

[SaltineQueen]

Hi!

I love being on my kids' schedule, I love that I'm in the building with my daughter, I love (most of) "my" kiddos, I love when they draw me pictures, I love seeing the changes & growth kids can make from K to 3.

I don't love when I have to call CPS, I don't love learning some things I learn about parents & home situations, I don't love worrying about some kids over weekends & breaks, I don't love the pay.

Would I go back to hospital or clinic? Not unless my family was about to be homeless.

[OldDude]

I love the hours.

Least favorite - parents.

Return to hospital? Not a snowball's chance in hell. I've mentioned on here before I'd rather be a semen extractor on a turkey farm before I'd go back to 12 hour shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays.

Good luck with your interview!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

The hours are the best! The snow days are the best (especially if you have them leftover and they become free sunny days!) and the kids are awesome. The parents are usually the ones that get my goat. Needy, over bearing, lawnmower parents have made the job difficult. Over the years, i've just bent to the will of the parents that want to be called for every little thing and pick their children up for every little sniffle. They are free to pick up, doesn't mean I have to excuse the absence.

Oh, almost forgot - since becoming a school nurse, i DID pick up a job for a short time returning to a hospital. I was a per diem ADN of a small hospital system. I liked the job well enough (loved the extra moolah), but there was a part of me that wasn't heartbroken when the corporation was bought out and I was downsized.

[CanIcallmymom, BSN, RN]

I love the hours, getting to spend time with my family on holidays and summers. I love most of my coworkers, most of the students.

My least favorite is being stuck in my office all by myself, sometimes not getting a lunch.

But like OldDude said, not a chance I will go back to working weekends, late at night, 12 hour shifts, almost every holiday...My family is so much more important to me than that. Only if I HAD to.

[palli]

best part...weekends, holidays and summers..OFF!!

worst part: Parents and the pay....

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

I love everything, I've never worked in a hospital/LTC and don't ever plan to. Parents are the toughest part, but if you have a strong administration that supports you, then that isn't even so bad.

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Favs: The Kids. I LOVE seeing my kids in public and they immediately smile and wave or (if safe) run up to give big hugs.

&

The Hours. Out by 3:30 nearly every day and weekends, regular vacations, and summers off??? Can you believe it?!

Less Favs: Teachers who won't work with me. I communicate with them constantly, but some will not reciprocate and others deem my time less valuable. Luckily, Admin is on my side.

I am actually dying to go per-diem at one of my old jobs - Either the outpatient specialty clinic or the inpatient pediatrics unit at our regional hospital. I would love to do one shift per week, just to keep those skills up in case something horrendous happens here. Plus, the extra cash wouldn't hurt - vacation money, I figure. I have also kept my one-weekend/month rotation at the health center of a local private school. It's relatively cushy and decent pay, so its a good supplement.

[Feral.Cat.Herder, RN]

Favs: No weekends, no 12 hr shifts, no weekends/holidays. A lot of vacation time and the kiddos

Least Favs: Pay and parents.

I would not want to return to hospital/LTC nursing

Good luck on your interview and welcome to the club of school nursing!!

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

Welcome! I hope you like it!

I love the time off and making kids feel better. Pretty low stress most of the time.

I hate the lack of respect, teachers/aides expecting me to do non-nursing stuff all the time, the pay, and the fact I'm bored more often than not. I have all summer off but can't really afford to do much. LOL!

I am looking to return to the hospital. My kids are grown. I love working 3 days a week and done. I hate the 9-5 grind. I did not enjoy the hospital schedule when all my kids were little because I wanted to be home when they were but now that they are all flying the coop I don't want/need that schedule anymore. I would like the extra money the hospital provides to get my house paid off so I can travel some then eventually go part time/per diem. That's my plan anyway!