Does this sound possible?

[OTconsideringBSN]

I have wanted to be a school nurse for the past six years but have been unable to afford going back to school until recently. It's something I could really see myself doing, and enjoying, and being passionate about. I work in healthcare now but have never really felt like my career is a good fit. So I am considering going back to school to become a school nurse, but that is really the only setting I care to work in. I would work in a doctors office or outpatient setting for a year or two to get some experience before starting in the schools, but I have no interest in working in hospitals or LTC (I have spent the past 5 years in those settings as an OT and have no desire to stay in them any longer!)

Does this sound realistic? I know most people recommend the year or more of acute care nursing, especially to become a school nurse, but if I had to work in the hospital, I just wouldn't pursue a nursing degree at all and would just find something I could settle for. Is it foolish of me to pursue a nursing degree at all if I will only work in outpatient and school settings? I keep reading about how bad the job market is, which scares me, and how tough it is to get into doctors offices and schools, so do you think it would be wise to get my BSN? I would appreciate any wisdom or opinions! Thanks!

[nicubee]

Hi OT! Have you seen the area on this site dedicated to school nursing? Click on the "specialty" tag at the top of the page and go down to "nursing specialties." It's there among the options, listed alphabetically. :) I'm thinking you might have some good responses to your questions in that area.

[Mommy TeleRN, RN]

I don't know anything about school nursing, but you will have to spend a lot of time in the hospital setting for your clinical time in nursing school.