L&D to school nurse?

beachynurse, ASN, BSN · Sep 24, 2019

I had quite a bit of med/surg experience before becoming a school nurse. I really feel after almost 16 years of school nursing, that you have to be really prepared for anything. You are the only medical professional in the building, the buck stops with you. In an emergency, there isn't time for you to run ideas or thoughts past another nurse, or your supervisor in another building. You have to be prepared to be totally independent and think for yourself on a dime. Do you feel prepared for that? I'm sorry if I'm sounding harsh. I'm not trying to. I'm just very realistic about what we do.

BrisketRN, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2019

Try subbing--a lot of agencies will give a (quick) training course and you can test it out. School nursing tends to be on-your-own work so you have to be comfortable in your assessments and ability to respond to emergencies. I think it'd be hard without any pediatric or emergency experience.

nursetlm, ADN · Sep 24, 2019

I had several years experience as an LPN in OB/ Mother baby/ peds etc....Then got my RN when I was 42 and worked in family practice/ WIC office for a couple of years before becoming a school nurse. I love being a school nurse! I do wish I had a stronger med/surg/ ER type background- but I have done just fine and so have my coworkers.

beachynurse, ASN, BSN · Sep 24, 2019

22 minutes ago, BiscuitRN said:
Try subbing--a lot of agencies will give a (quick) training course and you can test it out. School nursing tends to be on-your-own work so you have to be comfortable in your assessments and ability to respond to emergencies. I think it'd be hard without any pediatric or emergency experience.

I think this is an awesome idea!!! I don't know why I didn't think about that?? Oh yeah, I've only seen 42 kids since 7:30.... Maybe that's why... lol..

I subbed for a while before I got my own school. It gave me a chance to see if I liked school nursing, and how other nurses set up their clinics. I took and used what I liked, and tossed what I didn't when I was setting up my own.. It was a HUGE help!!

SaltineQueen · Sep 24, 2019

Everyone does have to sink or swim, but not because of any specific nursing background or experience. But because school nursing is a WHOLE different animal than any other kind of nursing. You're usually the only medical person in the building.

Lots of our nurses were LD/MB nurses and they are/were great. If your state is anything like my state, the department of education has resources on the care of students with life-threatening type things to refresh your memory.

JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2019

I'm the exception, not the rule, but I went from nursing school straight into school nursing.

However, I was a long term sub first, who worked in a very busy office that staffed two full time nurses and the other nurse there was amazing and took me under her wing. I transition to my own full time gig and am now in my 7th year. I suppose it helped that nursing was a 2nd career for me and my first career was working very independently in higher ed. Plus I found this place and its lovely people to check in with :).

Subbing is a GREAT way to get your feet wet, find out what the job is all about, and also build up the confidence in your assessment skills. Not saying you don't have excellent assessment skills, but not being able to immediately check in with another health care professional can be very challenging at first.

ruby_jane, BSN, RN · Sep 24, 2019

12 hours ago, htown said:
Hello everyone! I have been an L&D nurse for about 2 years (went straight to labor and delivery after nursing school). I’m wanting to transition to school nursing but I am so nervous. I’m worried about lack of training and being on my own.

OK, that's real. If you are not assigned a buddy nurse, pick one that either you like, has a lot of wisdom, or has the same type of campus as you.

12 hours ago, htown said:
I also fear emergencies/urgent matters such as asthma, seizures, and anaphylaxis.

Also real. But you will either have doctor's orders OR you have EMS or both. You will never be alone-alone. Just make sure you know your district policy on handling things like first time seizures and seizures longer than five minutes.

12 hours ago, htown said:
Also worried about type 1 diabetics.

REAL. But you've got orders. And if you don't have orders or the parent is wanting you to do something you are super uncomfortable with that contradicts the orders you have - decline.

We all swam. You know how to be a nurse. You'll just need to learn how to do the paperwork and stuff associated with school nursing. Welcome to the fold! Wednesdays we wear pink (when we remember it).