High School Nurse?? Nervous!

[Sl1011]

I was recently offered a job at a Pediatric Clinic, which I'm pretty excited about. It's mostly 4 days a week, sometimes 4.5 days.

But I was also asked to sub on my days off (before I leave my current job) at a high school!!! When I was called, I was told the opening was at an elementary school! She then called me yesterday asking to meet her at a high school where she was filling in. I said ok and met her there for the interview. I asked her how far the elementary school was from here, and she said.. well.... some things got moved around and now there's really an opening here at the high school! EEK! She originally wants me to sub a couple weeks and possibly work there if I get hired.

I will definitely sub, just for the experience and to see if it's something I can handle.

But I'm nervous about the possible position. It's a high school... way out of my comfort zone. The whole time I thought it would be at an elementary school which is where I really want to be Also, the hours are longer at a high school, so now I would have to consider after school care for my daughter.

I don't know. Anyone here work at high schools? Can you tell me anything?

[schooldistrictnurse]

I work across a whole district, and so I see all age levels. I like interacting with the HS kids because they are so "almost adult" and it's fascinating to see them make decisions and think for themselves a little. Here are some of the things I'm involved in at the HS level, in no particular order: quit smoking class, 1:1 talks about various aspects of reproductive health, teen parent support, classroom sessions on shaken baby prevention ( mandated for all), 1:1 counselling on weight issues (too much and too little), classroom session on supplements for weight training, immunization compliance of course, educating staff about student health issues, checking in with kids with diabetes to see how their management is going (they are pretty much independent at this age) and then of course educating kids that maybe self-piercing isn't such a great idea! Dealing with the death of parents or friends. So much!

Good luck whatever you decide!

[guest83140]

I have worked both elementary and high school but prefer higher grades. My hours are 8 to 4 pm so maybe the kids can be picked up for 2 hrs from a agency or stay home mom until you get off. High schoolers are mostly seen for asthma but carry their own inhalers, sprains, pms, diabetes (around 10 out of 1000), preg. (2-5 out of 1000), headache. Every now and then you get a fracture, drug related or other. Can be a mini clinic during flu season or stomach virus. I have an assistant, so that helps. Most don't have to do large screenings of vision, hearing and scoliosis-that is done in the lower grades. I like that big kids can talk and tell me what's wrong and little one can't and the parents panick easily. But big kids can lie or manipulate you whereas little ones are too innocent for such. But if you were comfortable taking care of adults before, it's no different. If you need backup, 911 is it. Hope this helps. :)

[Sl1011]

I have worked both elementary and high school but prefer higher grades. My hours are 8 to 4 pm so maybe the kids can be picked up for 2 hrs from a agency or stay home mom until you get off. High schoolers are mostly seen for asthma but carry their own inhalers, sprains, pms, diabetes (around 10 out of 1000), preg. (2-5 out of 1000), headache. Every now and then you get a fracture, drug related or other. Can be a mini clinic during flu season or stomach virus. I have an assistant, so that helps. Most don't have to do large screenings of vision, hearing and scoliosis-that is done in the lower grades. I like that big kids can talk and tell me what's wrong and little one can't and the parents panick easily. But big kids can lie or manipulate you whereas little ones are too innocent for such. But if you were comfortable taking care of adults before, it's no different. If you need backup, 911 is it. Hope this helps. :)

My hours would be a normal 8 hour day, 730-4. I'm surprised the hours aren't any shorter like other schools in other districts. Part of the reason I wanted to work in an elementary school, was for my daughter. I could be there when she gets home from the bus, and also avoid afterschool care costs since this will probably be a paycut. I do like that older kids can tell me what's wrong, but also worried about dealing with fights, pregnancies, emotional teens... I'm not sure if I'd be good at it. In my mind I had all these ideas on how to teach little kids on hand hygiene, nutrition, dental care, etc. But I feel like older kids wouldn't listen to teaching relevant to their age. Thank you for responding!!!