considering a job offer

[amandarn10]

So I'm just looking for some advice from others who've been in the field. I've been working as a nurse for about 3 1/2 years. The first 10 months as inpatient oncology (hated it), then 1 year as outpatient ortho(loved it) then promoted to a leadership position in my department (I like my coworkers and thought I'd enjoy the position but learned I don't like the management aspect). I've been looking into school nursing jobs for the past few months, applied for jobs and actually shadowed a school nurse for a couple hours. I applied for a job a few weeks ago and interviewed yesterday at a relatively small K thru 8 school with about 300 students. The current school nurse I interviewed with said their biggest struggle is the poverty rate (whereas the school I shadowed was in a wealthy area but had a lot of chronically ill/medically frail students). The school I interviewed with actually called me back a few hours after the interview and said they thought I'd be a great fit and offered me the position. I didn't expect them to get back to me so fast, so I didnt have an answer just yet. I was hoping to get get some honest feedback from someone who's been there, or if you have any advice about things to ask before accepting the job? The school only has one nurse and there are no other schools in the district. The current nurse has been there for several years and is moving on to another district for a more administrative type role but the superintendent said that they would keep her on for the summer to do training with me a couple hours a week (obviously no students there at that time). It is pretty intimidating since I'd be the only nurse in the school (and it's a one district school). But they did say they would be able to keep the current nurse in a contracted position so I could contact her with questions if I needed to. I really want to do it but going in with no relevant experience and no coworkers scares the heck out of me :) any advice would be appreciated!!

[SchoolNurseMel]

The autonomy is scary for sure, but also rewarding. In my experience, the nurses worked solo in a building, but we could call the other nurses for support/questions/gut checks and also monthly meetups on inservice days. I am not sure what I would have done without them. Is there no one you can network with besides the nurse who is moving on?

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

As someone who works is a two district school system, I will admit it can be scary, at first. My boss is not a nurse, but I am lucky that there is another nurse at our other school. I also belong to a great mailing list for nurse leaders that I can float a lot of questions through - it has been a lifesaver. Perhaps there is a similar email list available at this job?

I also entered school nursing as a new grad. I had previous academic admin experience prior to nursing and did get the pleasure of subbing first in a large public school district that had two nurses in the large school; the other nurse there took me under her wing and taught me everything. You are very lucky to have the previous nurse on hand to train you! It is a luxury that most of us here did not get transitioning into our positions.

[100kids, BSN, RN]

I am in a similar school situation, only school and only nurse in the district. It makes it hard but also great. You need to get yourself in touch with other local school district nurses and ask them if they can serve as a resource to you. Having no one to bounce ideas off of it one of the hardest parts of this job. Be prepared also that in a small school job descriptions are ever changing. I am given new non nursing stuff to do everyday! That has made some nurses hate it here and leave over the years but it's what I love about being here. Make sure you are clear on the $$ as that's the biggest shocker going into School Nursing. Good luck with your decision.

[amandarn10]

Thanks!! I appreciate the feedback a lot!! I learned that the school is part of a special ed co-op that oversees things and I guess there is a certified school nurse through that as well, so that helps a little too. I accepted :)