8 interviews and no offer

[Vana21, ADN, BSN, RN]

I've been interviewing since April for a school position in a district and have gone on about 8 interviews ranging from elementary to high school. Only 3 have responded back, and only 1 said their reasoning was lack of experience.

I've been a nurse for 3 years and was a tele tech for 4 previously, all at the same hospital. My nursing was a general adult ICU for 6 months for training and the rest has been cath lab. I don't have pedi experience which I know is what is hurting me the most. I'm at a loss at what to do and if I should even keep trying. Any tips to make myself seem more valuable?

[scuba nurse, BSN, MSN, RN]

Try subbing, that is one way to get experience and to get in. Also, try bigger districts that employ more nurses, many school nurses stay for long periods of time because it is such a great job. Also, many places do not hire until the summer or just right before school actually starts, so maybe wait a bit and try again right before school starts! Good luck, it is awesome!

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

Ditto to subbing! It will A) Get your foot in the door, and B) give you a good idea of what school nurses do. A lot of administrators want a nurse who knows what school nursing is about because they don't really know (see pretty much any thread in this sub!). Some districts don't have a nursing specific orientation, so they're going to rely on you to know what needs to be done when (i.e. in a medical emergency, state mandated screenings, etc.)

And you mention you don't have pedi experience - this may be part of the problem as well, but do you have experience with child-care at all? Demonstrating that you have a passion for caring for children, despite not working with them specifically in a nursing capacity, would be really valuable.

Were there any questions that came up during the interview that you had a hard time answering?

[BrisketRN, BSN, RN]

Yep subbing or contact one of the many agencies that fill school nursing positions. Also check out summer camps near you--some experience there might help get your foot in the door with the peds experience.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Yes to subbing! That is what helped me get a full time school nursing gig. And what actually convinced me school nursing was for me.

Also, agree to summer camps! Another good way to get some short term pedi experience. And usually there you have a small team of medical folks (depending on the camp) which can help the transition to the school world where it is you and usually only you as the medical professional in your school (and for me, one of three in my district, counting my school's physician that who input is only available now and then).

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

Definitely subbing or joining a school nurse association in your area. (My county has one, was do the neighboring counties.) Like most jobs, the "who you know" plays a HUGE role. At least in my area, it's the same for teachers, if you have no "street cred" with someone who can vouch for you, it's super tough.

[zombieghoast]

Its hard. I was part time AS a school nurse and they still didn't wanna hire me. Twice. They offered me a subbing job. I had multiple administrators on my reference list for that district. I eventually got an office job and their first day of school they called me asking if I wanted a job. Go figure.

[AutumnDraidean]

DItto the subbing. also consider a position in a pediatric clinic where you do any kind of triage or intake activity and get to learn the outcome. (dx and such) This was my biggest hurdle as a sub, my kids were my primary pediatric experience prior to subbing.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Is there anything in your emloyment record that may give them pause? job hopping, not eligible for rehire (for whatever reason)...

[Kooky Korky, BSN, RN]

Try being a summer camp nurse. That will give you ambulatory Peds experience.

As a camp nurse, I have seen bug bites, appendicitis, lots of ENT, GI, Gyn, Psych, (threatened suicide), trauma (counselor's ankle, ropes course instructor with severe rope burns), adult staff member with chest pain, post AB hemorrhage, sunburn, pyelonephritis, kids needing allergy shots - absolutely do not do these at camp, just arrange for them to be given by local MD's office in case of bad reaction, SOB.

Do it for as many weeks as you can this summer. You will have an income and your own kids can probably be campers for free. Or volunteer at various church camps that last usually a week only, but it's still exposure to Peds. You will find that a lot of counselors and older staff members are teachers. Teachers are working for schools. Their schools or someone they know in a different school/district might need a nurse.

Another way is to go through an agency if need be, taking care of a private duty Peds case. You could get vent experience, tubes, IV's, wounds, etc. And you will get Peds experience.

Good luck.