Do you like being a school nurse?

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2011

Most days I love my job. I like the independence, I like having my own office that I can organize as I see fit (as opposed to trying to grab a free chair in a nurse's station to chart), I love working with the kids, I enjoy teaching and health promotion, and I like being a part of the community and getting to know the families I serve. I actually like the administrative and record keeping part of it, which is a big part of the job. The schedule is not so bad either, although my school is on an extended schedule for the next 2 years with longer days and a year-round type schedule.

Dislikes: it can be difficult to be the lone medical person in a sea of education people. It is hard not having another nurse to bounce things off of. Sometimes there are a million things to do and I need to screen a dozen kids, but I am getting student after student for minor illness adn injuries, and of course the ones that just want a 10 minute break from class. Some days you just have to give up the to-do list and treat 'em and street 'em. Teachers can be annoying when it seems they do not use common sense in referring kids to you, or when they want to send a kid home with a runny nose because they are tired of dealing with them. Having a good supportive administration can make or break you.

As far as summers, I worked summer school a few years, but now I don't. I take the time off to recharge and relax, because generally it is needed. Working with kids is tiring and requires you to be constantly on your toes, so I find that the mental break is necessary to keep me coming back year after year!

MajesticRN · Sep 26, 2011

@Purple Scrub,

How long have you been a schoolnurse? is it doable for a new grad? I am a new grad, and i almost aplied to a private school that seriously needs a school nurse but got discouraged and scared after reading comments on allnurses.com.

thanks.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Sep 26, 2011

It is possible as a new grad, but it really depends on how good your assessment skills are, and how much of a support system there is. With a private school, I would be concerned that there is not another more experienced nurse nearby to contact when you have questions (and you will ). I had an excellent mentor who was there at the drop of a hat, and in the first few weeks and months I wore her phone out! I still call her from time to time after 4 years...there is just always something that comes up that you are not prepared for. So the support system is key. If it is a big district with many other nurses nearby who you can contact, it can work nicely. If you are solo, which I suspect might be the case for a private school, I would not do it.

As far as your skills, your assessment skills have to be top knotch, and you have to be confident in them. If a kid falls on the playground and bumps his head, it is up to you to decide if he just needs and ice pack and a hug, if he needs to go home where his parents can watch him closer than a teacher can, if the parents need to take him to his physician, or if it is serious enough to call 911 and not wait for the parents.

If you have a kid complaining of chest pain, you have the same decisions to make. Same with severe stomach pains. Is the arm fractured or not? Is it an asthma attack or just a cough, and how severe. Then the parent forgot to bring you the inhaler and the kid is spiriling down...when do you call 911? Then there are the things that no nursing education prepares you for. I had a kid get their hand caught in a soap dispenser. Took me, the principal and two custodians to get her out! I also had a pregnant parent slip and fall in the cafeteria, and I am NOT an OB nurse. Can you handle this kind of stress?

There is also a steep learning curve when it comes to things like shot records. It took me over a year before I was really able to look them over and tell if the kid is up to date or not without using a "cheat sheet". You have to figure out a system for enrolling new kids, and having a good office staff and administration can make or break you.

Sorry so long winded :) I had under a year in the hospital before becoming a school nurse, but I also had a good support system and assessment skills. All the stars aligned and I was ok, but I still made some mistakes, as we all do. If you interview, ask lots of questions and see how good a support system you will have. Visit the NASN website and read everything you can get your hands on. Order one of the textbooks on their website. Hopefully the stars will align for you too!

WldChrry · Sep 26, 2011

Thanks Purple Scrubs for sharing so much information! I am an LPN right now and I am working on my RN. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education, because if I wasn't a nurse, I would be a teacher. School nursing is my dream job. Hopefully the mixture of my education and experience can land me a job one day:yeah:

MajesticRN · Sep 26, 2011

@Purple Scrub ,

Thanks, YES I do need SOME EXPERIENCE to be a school nurse. Will seek for job else where! lol.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2011

I wasn't trying to say you weren't cut out for it...just giving scenerios for you to think about :) My distrist has hired some brand new grads with zero nursing experience and they have done well...but they are placed very carefully into "easier" schools with another campus within walking distance so they can call on a more experienced nurse for help. I have a feeling they also talk to the former nursing instructors about assessment skills, because I know they did talk to several of mine before hiring me.

It can work, it just has to be the right situation. I am not of the opinion that a ton of hospital experience is necessary for doing this, but it has to be the right person and the right job to make it safe.

Kateper · Sep 27, 2011

Hi, I am looking for some information about becoming a school nurse in southern california.

I have been an RN for 24 years and would love to try school nursing. I was hoping to hear from someone that is a california school nurse. I was wondering what kind of experience they look for, and if there are jobs available ?