First job: substitute school nurse!

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Specializes in medsurg, progressive care.

After a long summer of NCLEX practice tests, finally taking the NCLEX, and applying for dozens upon dozens of jobs I FINALLY got a call back and was given the substitute school nurse position for a district near my hometown. I was not expecting it AT ALL because the job posting said experience was preferred (although the posting was for a permanent position). I literally just found out yesterday and am meeting with them on Monday to talk about details and stuff, but does anyone know what I can expect? How often do sub nurses really work, what kind of pay do they see, how do you get oriented, stuff like that. Thanks!

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Specializes in Pedi.

The pay is minimal. It is something like $120-$150 a day in my state. Orientation will be very minimal, if any. Since there is usually only one nurse (at the most) in each school there isn't a lot of work.

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I brought home around $160 a day after taxes when I subbed. I also got called a lot because our district is huge with over 30 schools so it depends on how big your district is to how often you may work. For orientation I had 2 1/2 days that were not paid but required before I worked. You will do most of your learning on the job as you work by yourself. Good luck!

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

I made $19/hr for subbing in Indiana. I subbed at least once a week. I worked in a small school district, less than 15 schools with one nurse per school. Orientation was 2 paid hours one on one with the health services coordinator. I then spent an hour unpaid at an elementary and an hour unpaid at the high school level as part of orientation. I now work full time as a school nurse in a different, much larger school district.

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Specializes in Pedi.
I made $19/hr for subbing in Indiana. I subbed at least once a week. I worked in a small school district, less than 15 schools with one nurse per school. Orientation was 2 paid hours one on one with the health services coordinator. I then spent an hour unpaid at an elementary and an hour unpaid at the high school level as part of orientation. I now work full time as a school nurse in a different, much larger school district.

15 schools would be a decent sized school district in my neck of the woods. The school district my mother works in has TWO schools... one for K-6 and one for 7-12. The district I attended school in growing up was one of the bigger ones around and we had six schools (three elementary, two middle, one high).

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.

15 schools would be a decent sized school district in my neck of the woods. The school district my mother works in has TWO schools... one for K-6 and one for 7-12. The district I attended school in growing up was one of the bigger ones around and we had six schools (three elementary, two middle, one high).

Lol. The one I work for now has 51 schools and 30,000 students. We have 30 nurses, most of us have 2 schools each. I personally have a middle school of 800 and an elementary of 450.

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Specializes in School nursing.

My first job after passing the NCLEX was a school nurse sub :). I made $120/day, no orientation. I did, however, have an awesome supervisor who made sure my first sub gig was with another nurse in very large school (1300+ kids) and she showed me the ropes. The gig was supposed to be for a week, but turned into three when the nurse I was subbing for needed a longer medical leave. My pedi companion clinical book was my best friend during that time as well (I'd read up/review diabetes and asthma before your first day).

I stayed on as sub for three months before I got hired as a full-time school nurse at a charter school. During that time, I worked about 30 days. I subbed in a large, urban school district.

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I just had my first interview for a sub school nurse! This is my first job! As long as background check comes back clean and the board approves me next week it's a go! I'm very excited but when I heard the pay... :-/ $85/day wow all my hard work for barely anything....and to drive 25 min to the job. I make more at my job now delivering urinals and diapers to units. There are five schools in the district and I could sub for any of them, I do not yet know the size of each school....I'm doing research. I asked about how often I would get to work? No answer was really given of course, just depends on who becomes sick or needs personal vacation time. They also do not provide ANY training....yikes! I'll just walk in and they will have a list of things needed done for the kids. I assume it will be bare minimum just what absolutely has to be done and maybe some filing of papers. How do they expect me to know these schools and students working what twice a month? It's a pretty rich town so I'm hoping I get my foot in the door.....a full time position becomes available sometime....and I'm in! I really would love working in a school especially when we start our family and I love working with kids. I'm still looking for a med/surg job so I can keep up with my skills. I'm pretty much taking this job for some experience and for an added job on my resume! Good luck! And please let us know how it's going!!

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Hi schoolRNapril, I am from Indiana and I would like to be a school nurse. I am looking for substitute nurse positions right now. I do not have any RN experience yet, I have only worked in a nursing home for less than 1 month as a charge nurse. Some schools I have checked want experience before I'm a substitute nurse. Do most indiana schools require you to have experience before being a substitute nurse? I was hoping to get a sub nurse position and then get a school nurse job.

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Specializes in Peds, Oncology.
Hi schoolRNapril, I am from Indiana and I would like to be a school nurse. I am looking for substitute nurse positions right now. I do not have any RN experience yet, I have only worked in a nursing home for less than 1 month as a charge nurse. Some schools I have checked want experience before I'm a substitute nurse. Do most indiana schools require you to have experience before being a substitute nurse? I was hoping to get a sub nurse position and then get a school nurse job.

I had 2.5 years hospital floor nursing experience before I was a sub, then I became a full time school nurse. I do think most want some experience. How much, I'm not exactly sure. I would call those in charge of hiring nurses/sub nurses and ask and make lists that way you know who to call back once you have gained that amount of experience. I work in one of the largest districts in the state and I can say they definitely want experienced nurses for their full time positions. I think I was one of the least experienced hired with 3 years hospital and 6 months sub nursing experience. School nursing requires absolute autonomy and excellent assessment and critical thinking skills at the drop of a hat. You are the only healthcare provider in the building and you have to be able to triage,assess, plan and think quickly. Those are skills you gain through experience and I would be lost and drowning if I didn't have that good and solid nursing foundation. Good luck!

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Specializes in School nurse.

Hello! I worked the floor for a year before pursuing school nursing in earnest. I sub in two districts for the last 2 years. One has 5 schools and the other 2. The smaller district provided 2 full paid days at each school for orientation. In the larger district I did a day at each on my own dime. I work more days than not and sometimes it is in tandem with the regular nurse who needs help with screenings or the like. In NJ you have a post bacc school nurse certification and that is what I'm finishing now. It's an extra 22 credits and a 75 hour precepted clinical. Subs are relatively low paid 150-200/day but once you get the cert your eligible for permanent work and considered faculty. If your area doesn't pay for orientation, call the local school nurses and go anyway for free. They will be happy to help and what you learn is worth it's weight in gold. It is a specialized field and you must be familiar with how to handle any chronic and life threatening issues like unstable diabetics, anaphylaxis, and any particular kids that have special medical needs in accordance with your nurse practice act and local school policy. Some schools are smaller but that doesn't mean you won't possibly have a boat load of office visits because of acuity. Best of luck! School nursing is awesome.

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