Just applied for a school nurse position at a high school

[oneinfour]

Hello all! 
 

I am excited to share here that I just sent in my application to be a school nurse. I’m actually an alumni of the high school so that’s something else that I’m excited about. I’ve been an RN for five years in pediatrics, have my CPN, and enrolled myself in a School Nurse License Program at a local college already. A bulk of my experience is on a gen-med floor, that specialized in GI, endocrine, and behavioral autistic patients. I’ve also got about 6 months of pediatric float pool experience under my belt now where I see pretty much everything and anything.

I’ve always wanted to transition into the school nurse world, and finally found a fantastic opportunity in a great district. One of the things I was apprehensive about before applying is the fact that I’m relatively young (28 years old) and also a male nurse which you don’t see too often in the school nurse world. I’m very confident in my experience and qualifications for this job, and this district has two other school nurses in the district covering the other schools so if I were to get the position I’m not worried about learning on the fly with no guidance from other healthcare professionals in the district.

Any tips for me going through the interview process? Is the fact that I’m a male nurse something that may affect my standing as a candidate working with the adolescent age group, with female students in particular? One of my colleagues who I was discussing these concerns with told me when she shadowed a school nurse that was a young woman said that the same concerns I had exist with males coming in, and it was handled by getting chaperones of other faculty members that you ask the student if they are comfortable with should you have to deal with a sensitive health concern of the opposite gender. Anyone have experience with these situations and how you handle them with your students?

Thanks for any feedback!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

In school nursing, I've never done an assessment of the genital area and referred out for any student that needs such an extensive exam. I have worked directly with high school students of both biological sexes to make an appointment if they need it (they call their doctor on the phone and I coach them through the call, part of me prepping them for the real world).

Now I'm female, but I have had plenty of boys come my way with questions. It probably helps that I've been at the school awhile and I am also the sex education teacher (co-teach with my awesome gym teachers, one is male, one is female), so they have been introduced to me as a person they can come with such questions. I've had boys ask for condoms/STI testing referral/questions about pregnancy concern for a partner and I just handle the consultation as professional and private and don't make a big deal about the information being asked. I have a referral to a local weekly teen clinic with both male and female staff handy as well. 

One thing of note: Sexual health is very private information in my state - I can't document it in the school record at all because of this (I have a password protected file that lives on my desktop with my need-to-know notes for myself). Because of this, I can't actually bring another person into the conversation unless the student gives me consent, which they may if it is another staff member they also know and trust. But they may not. 

Personally, I'd welcome a male school nurse colleague! If the other nurses you can collaborate with are female, this feels like an awesome nurse that can support each other. You sound like you'd be an asset to your district. 

Don't forget to play up the alumni angle - we LOVE hiring alumni in my district ;). 

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

I'd like to echo Jen's thoughts that were shared above.  

All scenarios that could every be misconstrued as "questionable" in any way, shape, or form, I always have the parent on the phone and refer them to come assess their child or have their doctor do it.  I just state, "Your child is reporting ____."  (things related to pregnancy can be handled based on your state confidentiality, but even that ultimately refers out to a physician, as explained above.)  I always keep in mind that even female students could make an accusation at any time; I keep the same boundaries with all students, always. 

I was in my mid-20s when I started school nursing. Best decision I ever made! So grateful for the school nurses who encouraged me to pursue it early.

Biggest tips for interview process: Understand the difference between 504/IEP, FERPA/HIPAA, Triage scenarios, sift through the school board policies related to medication, concussions, etc. so you have an idea of how they handle certain things.

Hope we get to welcome you to the forum as a permanent resident ?

We had a very active male nurse on the forum for years who retired recently.  Search for posts from @OldDude and you'll see some male perspective comments.

 

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

Which state are you in that requires the licensure program? NJ? PA? RI?

[schoolnurse61]

Just hired a male school nurse in my district, first one ever and he is working out great. I was on the interview panel  and had reservations due to all the things mentioned above, teenage girls with feminine hygiene needs, pregnancy,  bathroom issues etc but there have been no problems and actually he has been a very welcome addition.  Best of luck to you!

[Mavnurse17, BSN, RN]

In my opinion, a registered nurse is a professional, male or female.  I know there are sensitive subjects in the adolescent population but I do not think your being male should exclude you or make people feel uncomfortable.  If you're able to complete your job in a professional way, that's all that matters.

 

Best of luck!

[Jedrnurse, BSN, RN]

18 hours ago, Mavnurse17 said:

In my opinion, a registered nurse is a professional, male or female.  I know there are sensitive subjects in the adolescent population but I do not think your being male should exclude you or make people feel uncomfortable.  If you're able to complete your job in a professional way, that's all that matters.

 

Best of luck!

True. In my experience, if the nurse is comfortable with the subject matter it helps the student remain so as well...

[BettyGirard, BSN]

When we hired for the new position here we had a couple of resumes from male nurses.    I wrote each and said as long as they were comfortable with working with female students, we were as well.   Turns out that we got a better female candidate, but we were prepared.

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

Any word on getting an interview?  I hope you got the job.  You sound well-suited for the position.  

I'll echo the comments from my virtual colleagues - Your gender should not make a difference in your ability to run a school health clinic.  Both girns and boys some in with issues they'd rather not address.  If I had a nickle for every boy coming into my office and saying that they got hit in the (whispers) *crotch*.  They all look visibly relieved when I tell them not to drop their drawers in the middle of my office, but to check themselves out in my bathroom and then come out for some ice and rest.  My only piece of advice at this point is to dedicate a cabinet or drawer sanitary napkins and label it well and don't question when the girls just come in and "help themselves".