Help! Which job should I take?

Specialties School

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I have never been a school nurse. But, I have two years experience in a peds hospital. I interviewed for a school nurse in a high school and in a Title I elementary school. I am torn which offer to take! At first, I thought I wanted high school. Then, I really liked the elementary school. The elementary school has the bonus that I don't have to be there until 7:50AM while I have to be at high school at 7:15 AM. But, the high school has the bonus of getting out early, which is also nice. I have kids of my own so I have to factor all that in.

I think I would be good with both age groups. I have experience with both age groups and I enjoy both. The high school has 1500 students and only one nurse. The elementary school has 550 students, a high percentage of those that speak Spanish as their first language (which I don't know). The high school is in an extremely wealthy area of town. So, the schools are totally different. I liked both principals and they are equally distant to my home.

Which would be easier for a first year school nurse? Would the high school nurse have more or less paperwork?

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elementary my dear watson!

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My experience has been that the case management and needs of kids of high school age are much easier and less time consuming. At the high school level you would be spending more time teaching students about managing their diabetes and other health conditions where as in the elementary schools the needs of the kids may be greater, especially if the economic status of that area is lower(higher rates of asthma, and other untreated health conditions). It is also important to know if you will be responsible for the vision and hearing screenings in your building. If so, there are fewer mandated grade levels in high school. Good Luck! And consider yourself lucky, where I am, we do not have a nurse in each building. There are 2 of us for 5000 kids in general ed, and a profoundly handicapped program.

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I would sit down and make a list of pros and cons and choose whichever will benefit me the most in the long run.

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To those that recommend elementary- is it because it is less students or less paperwork? Or that the kids are easier to deal with?

I am really excited and happy. I am also scared-but I think that goes with all new jobs to some degree. It is a big responsibilty to be the lone health care person with that many students. And, I don't totally know all that I am in for. I think my biggest concern is handling all the paperwork and records for that many students. Forgive me if this is a dumb question, but will I have to track all their vaccinations? I know in elementary you do, but I am not sure about high school. And I don't know if I do vision and hearing checks. Does every high school do that?

Thank you for your replies. I have a lot to learn now in a short amount of time so I will probably be on this board a lot. I plan to take the high school job tomorrow. To those high school nurses out there, do you run any neat programs or support groups at your school? Also, what kind of education do you provide for the school staff?

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You are one lucky nurse - they both sound awesome!!!

How do the supervisors compare?? the secretaries and other support staff?

I worked in a district where the kids were affluent - they just have different problems - both jobs will be challenging in a good way.

In the Title I school, you may be the kids only health provider, so will really have an opportunity to make a difference.

I don't know which one i would pick - I'd be just like you!!! Let us know what you decide!

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