Being a PRN school nurse Or home health nurse

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So, I am a mother of five and have been an LPN since 2004 and graduated RN school in 2010. The majority of my LPN career was in LTC partime and a short stint in Med Surg. As an RN I have only been in LTC as weekend supervisor, MDS coordinator, ADON, and then DON. So the majority of my RN career as been in management. I am very interested in pursuing something different but only on a PRN Basis at the time. I am

also looking at doing PRN home health. I guess I'm wondering what to expect in both fields and if I would even seem hireable at This point. I do have a daughter that has type 1 diabetes and was diagnosed when she was 4 so I am very well versed in that area. Just wanted to get some opinions from nurses on what to expect on these PRN jobs ----thank you !

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Community Health, School Health.

I would check with your school district and see what you need to do to get on the substitute list (assuming they have one). In the school district where my two kids go, there lead nurse maintains a substitute school nurse list with about 10 nurses on it currently (she is always looking for more). If a nurse is going to be out, she calls the lead nurse and gets to sub list to arrange a sub for herself. Sometimes there are extended subs needed like for prolonged illness, maternity leave, etc. It is a great gig if you have the flexibility for it. The pre-requisites depend on what your role would be. Sometimes they call in subs to help with screenings and paperwork. I think you should call your school district and start from there. Good luck. Oh, and interestingly, our school district pays the subs more than the regular full-time school nurses which I think blows. Regular I think is around $26.hr and subs make $30:down:

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Specializes in school nurse.

I would guess that you'd get more consistent hours with home health. School subbing is really catch as catch can...

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Look into what your area requires. Our subs only need an RN. We have 6 full time nurses in our district plus are allowed to bring in a sub to help us while we do screenings, and field trips so there are a fair amount of hours available. Our subs get paid $18.00/hr so the home care pay would be much higher for you. It's a great job and will let you see what school nursing is all about in case it is something you want to do full time later.

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Thank y'all so much ! I really appreciate the feedback !

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Specializes in School Nursing, Home Health.

I actually do HH as PRN and I like it. Helps me feel like I'm doing a difference and the pay per visit is nice.

The way my company works with me (and they are truly great) is that I tell them how many patients I want to see per day and that is what they give me (I do 2 patients Mondays/Fridays. I usually go in once a week to get my patients. And since they like continuing care, they usually give me the same ones.

But it's usually about 75% wound care and the rest are assessment and or folley care and follow up.

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