If you have switched schools/districts

[MHDNURSE]

I am finishing up my fourth and final year here and have given notice that I will not be renewing my contract. As much as I love my school, we have an extended day (7:15-4:15) and an extended school year (Staff report back beginning of August so only 6 weeks in the Summer). I have decided that my family wuold be better off with more "normal" school nurse hours.

I am interviewing next week at a neighboring district for a Pre-K program within a K-8 school. The K-8 have their own nurse, so I would have the 3,4,5 year-olds. All of my nursing has always been pediatrics and I love the littles so I have no worries about the change. I am more just wondering how long it will take to settle into a new position. When I started this position the school was brand new and I was brand new at school nursing so I have NO IDEA what I was doing. Four years in and I feel like an "expert", LOL.

Just curious for those of you who have made a move mid school nursing career, how long did it take you to feel settled? I am definitely not looking forward to feeling lost and overwhelmed like I did my first year.

[Keeperofbandages, LPN]

I left my public district last May and moved to a Charter School. I do feel like the first year of any new job is always a learning year. I am waiting now to meet with the Principal in regards a contract for myself next year. I am a nervous wreck waiting to find out;

[UrbanHealthRN, BSN, RN]

I'm a little curious as to why the pre-K kids have a different nurse...is this a private school, or public? If it's public, are the kids part of the public school district, or is this part of a different program like Head Start, where you may have a different set of policies to follow? I only ask because I'm with the pre-k age range, and even though we're partially located in existing public schools, I belong to the Head Start agency in the area, not the school district.

11 minutes ago, UrbanHealthRN said:

are the kids part of the public school district,

Yes! On our state, some districts have pre-K programs that are part of the public schools. So I would follow all the regs for school nurses in any public school. They have a separate nurse for K-8 b/c this program is housed within a school but they are considered separate- separate principals, etc.

52 minutes ago, Keeperofbandages said:

I am a nervous wreck waiting to find out;

Good luck! Keep us posted!

[UrbanHealthRN, BSN, RN]

3 minutes ago, MHDNURSE said:

Yes! On our state, some districts have pre-K programs that are part of the public schools. So I would follow all the regs for school nurses in any public school. They have a separate nurse for K-8 b/c this program is housed within a school but they are considered separate- separate principals, etc.

In that case, this sounds exciting! Even though I've always worked pedi, this is my first job in an education setting, so I can't give much perspective on school nurse job changes. But, I do know that I LOVE this age group, and you'll already have quite the leg up on school policies and procedures.