Competitive Edge

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

I am coming up with a medium term plan in which I'll be moving to a different part of the state in about two years. I want to work on being as "desirable" an employee as possible to help ease the change, I.e. get a job out there. I'm thinking:

1. get my ARC CPR/First Aid Instructor certification again

2. start working on Spanish language skills

3. take a grant-writing course

Any other ideas?

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Certification (NCSN), if you haven't already! Or I think there is an online certificate program or two through various colleges... that might be a big boost to your resume (if you're planning on sticking with school nursing). If you want to try for a nursing leadership position, I think taking courses in leadership and management and listing those individually on your resume would be helpful, too!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, k1p1ssk said:

Certification (NCSN), if you haven't already! Or I think there is an online certificate program or two through various colleges... that might be a big boost to your resume (if you're planning on sticking with school nursing). If you want to try for a nursing leadership position, I think taking courses in leadership and management and listing those individually on your resume would be helpful, too!

Thanks. Yeah, I'm certified. While some college certificates look interesting, I'm looking at a time window (both for moving and day-to-day time constraints) that would make grad courses not a viable route.

It is funny that in some states, even though I'm a NCSN and have experience, that I'd have to start off from scratch and go through some (expensive) academic hoops.

Luckily, I'm staying in the same state, just a different part...

[amoLucia]

What's NCSN?

[Ohm108, MSN, NP, CNM]

Nationally Certified School Nurse (NCSN) is what I think the poster is referring to.

[guest464345]

I'm curious about where you live? Because in my area (AZ) they are begging for school nurses just about everywhere.  Definitely no need to get extra certs or take a grantwriting class to be a competitive candidate here. There are shortages always, but this year it's crazy - so many people retired or quit due to COVID.

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

15 hours ago, laflaca said:

I'm curious about where you live? Because in my area (AZ) they are begging for school nurses just about everywhere.  Definitely no need to get extra certs or take a grantwriting class to be a competitive candidate here. There are shortages always, but this year it's crazy - so many people retired or quit due to COVID.

I'm in the northeast. Just to clarify- I'm most definitely looking to stay in my home state, it's just that the area I may relocate to is less populated with fewer jobs. I just want to increase my chances for getting a job if I move, that's all...

[amoLucia]

Do you need a cert to teach a general class, like for Health Educ or Hygiene? Or even a bio class?

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

1 hour ago, amoLucia said:

Do you need a cert to teach a general class, like for Health Educ or Hygiene? Or even a bio class?

In my state, that is not really addressed by regulation. Depending on the school, nurses may do some teaching.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

On 10/11/2021 at 4:53 PM, Jedrnurse said:

In my state, that is not really addressed by regulation. Depending on the school, nurses may do some teaching.

I teach health at my school. 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

4 minutes ago, JenTheSchoolRN said:

I teach health at my school. 

How do you fit it in??