Job Opportunity

mc3, ASN, RN · May 31, 2012

Oh my...I had just posted here last week about being a new school nurse and had vented some of my frustrations. I work part-time in a large district, my elementary school as about 400 students. I am also on the sub list for small district which I live in and my 2 small children attend elementary school in this district. Last month I had subbed at my kids school for just 1 day. The school has about 1100 kids, and I was slammed and overwhelmed (yes, I am new at this since Feb). SO today, this nurse I had subbed for at my kids school called me to let me know she was retiring early. She had had a heart attack this school year and felt it time to leave. She was calling me to encourage me to apply. This school is across the road from my house and my kids attend school there. WHAT to do now? I am still shaky about this new role and there are so many kids. My own district is more organized and has awesome liasons and an MSN at the district level. The school I am in now is also smaller, yet I am unsure if I truly fit in. Thoughts, words of wisdom from experienced nurses would be appreciated.

I'm an elementary school nurse (LPN), and I have about 950 kids plus about 75 adults in my school. Of course you felt slammed and overwhelmed when you subbed! :eek: I swear, I think the kids have a radar screen that detects "new nurse new nurse" repeatedly until they have to try you out for themselves. Like any job, you'll become more confident as time goes on. As long as you have good support - and it sounds like you do - I think - you'll be fine. And gee, if your kids go there, what an opportunity! I'd definitely take the challenge. I never, ever in my wildest dreams thought I'd end up where I am, and I am truly grateful for it. :redbeathe

mc3:nurse:

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · May 31, 2012

Opportunity to work at my kids school and be close to home? I'd jump on it in a heartbeat. Yes, you are very likely to be overwhelmed, but you will cope and adjust. Some of the things about school nursing only come with time. You will get there. I'd rather be close to my kids and my home while getting there :)

Flare, ASN, BSN · May 31, 2012

Well, aside from the length of experience issue- i just went through almost the same quandary. The job in my own town opened up, they offered me more money, my daughter will start there next Sept... but oh! to leave my comfy tenured middle school only school to go to a k-8 district.... yikes!

Here are a few thoughts I had:

1. There is no harm in applying and interviewing. It is not just about them interviewing you, it's also you interviewing them!

2. You don't have to take to job if offered.

3. But it is a great opportunity to take - people looked at me like i was crazy that i had any hesitations about working where my kids would be attanding school for 9 years.

4. When it becomes your own office, it will feel much different than subbing. It becomes yours. You start doing things your way and running the office how you want to.

5. Kids will learn real quick thet there is a new sheriff in town - come in and law down the law and word travels fast.

6. You can't expect to get the fruit if you are not willing to go out on a limb.

Go for it and apply - you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.