interview!!

Congrats! And good luck! Let us know how it goes. I also recently applied for an elementary school nurse position but I think they have already hired someone:(. Maybe next time!

I just got a call for a interview with an elementary school! I applied weeks ago, and had actually kind of forgot about it, since I hadn't heard. What can I expect at the interview, and what would be some good questions to ask. This is alot different that L and D, or nursery! Which is what I have been doing the last few years. Any advice welcomed!

I too never worked as a School Nurse and did not know what to expect in regards to the interview questions, nor did I expect a panel. I walked in to a board room full of people, but I handled myself well. I wished I were in the audience to see my face when I walked into the board room. I worked in ICU almost five years and some in the O.R. and as a D.O.N. in the O.R. that I worked in. Here is what to expect....

I went for two interviews in two different counties. The interviews were very similiar. I got the job in the county outside of where I lived, not the one I really wanted in the same county that I reside in (they paid better too!).

Interview:

When I went into both interviews there were several people there, so I would say to expect to be interviewed by a panel.

Types of questions:

The number one question...

1. Tell us why you are interested in becoming a school nurse.

2. What work experiences or professional courses over the past three years have prepared you for this position?

3. Are you currently CPR/AED/FA certified?

4. What is confidential health information in a school environment and how would you handle requests for this information from parents, teachers, and the general public?

5. A teacher calls you down to a classroom where a student who is diabetic has put his head down and is falling asleep. What would you do?

6. Give one example of a collaborative or team approach used to meet the health needs of a client or family.

7. What do you see as the most important health issue facing students today and how would you as the school nurse make a difference?

8. What do you see as your role in the school setting?

9. Why are you the best candidate for this position?

I hope this helps you!!! Good Luck!!! I can say I got the job and accepted the position and started last week. So far, I love the elementary school!!! I know that is where I want to be if I stay in it. The middle school students were okay, but the little ones kept me smiling all day. I even went to an alternative school, too much sadness. High school is next week.... I got a call after starting this position from the college where I applied for the Allied Health and Continuing Education Program Coordinator for an interview. I will go on Thursday and I don't know what to expect for interview questions once again. We will see....

Good Luck to you on your interview!!! I hope this helps you out.

Evelyn:yeah:

Thanks guys! This is exactly what I needed to know!

ETA: Now I am worried, obviously in NC you need to obtain certification from the ANA, or the NBCSN, within three years. The ANA no longer offers a cert for school nursing, and with the NBCSN you have to have a bsn. I am a ADN, I have some additional certifications, but don't have enough credits right now to get a BSN. So how do they go about that? Wonder if a peds cert from the ANA is OK?

Good luck to you!! I'm a brand new elementary school nurse and I made the transition from NICU. I love it! The kids are great, the schedule is awesome, and not working in the hospital is so much less stressful.

Brush up on immunizations and community resources in your area before your interview. I had questions in both those areas.

If you get a chance say something like "a school nurse plays an important role in education because we help keep kids healthy and in school. We know when students need to be excluded and when they can stay. We can go into classrooms and teach good habits that can help keep kids in school like good handwashing and cold hygiene" They love to hear that you want to be part of the educational team.

Also if they ask you what would you do if...and you don't know the answer, rather than say just you don't know, say you would defer to the principal or a nurse in the district with more experience to determine what the districts specific policies and procedures are. Good luck-keep us posted as to how it goes!

Thank you guys sooo much! This is just what I need, keep 'em coming. I just hope I can work out something about the certification.

Hope you did well!! I just accepted a position-- around 3pm today-- as a school nurse. I come from a STRONG L&D/ mom-baby background! I'm still very STUNNED!!

Good luck to you- keep your fingers crossed!

In your situation you can definitely ask what the expectations are for continuing education. In my district, anyone with RN can be a First Aid Officer. In Pa, you have to have a school nurse certification to make the big buck, even if you do the same job.

I would ask how many children are in the school you will be working in. I agree there will be a number of interviewers present. The nurse in the group may be able to tell how many kids come routinely (diabetics, oral meds and inhalers, kids with spina bifida) and how many visits you have in a typical day. Do you have an aide/other nurse or are you alone? What is the compliment of certified nurse to non certified if that is a distinction they make.

What is expected outside of the school day you will be working? Meetings after school, field trips that extend beyond the work day?

If the principle of the school is there I ask what he/she considers the role of the school nurse to be and how the nurse communicates with the staff in that school? Meetings, email, phone into the room?

If you get a nurse or nurses alone, as what is most challenging and rewarding about working in this particular school district. What one thing would they change if they could.

Whenever I have gone for an interview I am really thinking, "I don't care how bad it is, the worst day here has got to be better than the best day in the hospital, all things considered!" but at least you have something to ask when they say, "do you have any questions!"

The interview is set for fri at 0900, if everyone can get together. She is supposed to call me back and let me know. It sounds like mostly a case management job, which would be great! Thanks for all the tips, keep on going! I'll update you guys as soon as I hear from her!

good luck sweetie !!

___________

praiser :heartbeat