Do You Like Being A School Nurse?

[Jules0612]

I have been an RN since 1993 in the ICU. I am thinking about changing career paths and going into school nursing. Overall, do you like your job? What is your average day like? What are the things that bother you the most about your job? Any advice you can share that will give me an accurate picture of school nursing? I am used to a stressful environment, but have never been in a role that is so autonomous. I would appreciate any advice!

[evelynkarirn, BSN, MSN, RN]

Yup. A city school district.

[evelynkarirn, BSN, MSN, RN]

Yes. Public School in CA, but the world certainly has changed since I posted that...

[Sarah235]

On 6/28/2020 at 3:49 PM, evelynkarirn said:

Yes. Public School in CA, but the world certainly has changed since I posted that...

Hi, I know this is an old thread, but I have a question for evelynkarirn,

I’m currently a teacher in an elementary school but I am applying to nursing schools and my goal is FNP. The only issue I have about leaving the teaching profession for nursing is the teacher retirement. As a school nurse in CA, do you get the same retirement as teachers? Also, I’m not married, so I’m not even sure if I could live in California on that salary. Can single people live on $100,000/year where you live? School nurse pay where I live is a joke-$30-40,000/ yearly. I’d have to move and transfer my retirement to another state (if that’s possible, I *think* it’s possible).

Thanks!

[evelynkarirn, BSN, MSN, RN]

Not all RNs in a district are considered “certificated“ staff/retirement eligible. It’s a question for the district you anticipate working for as to job classification and the contract/MOU between the district and the union.

My position as a Credentialed School Nurse (CSN) has CalSTRS; we are on the same contract and pay scale as the teachers, and our retirement is the same.

Hope this helps.

[Sarah235]

Yes, thank you!