Leave School Nursing?

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Hi all! It has been quite a while since I have posted. I am currently finishing my 5th year of school nursing. I have thought about other opportunities because my kids will be in college soon. I am currently interviewing for an educator position for a diabetic pump company. This is a field position that will educate doctors, staff as well as patients on this particular brand of pump. I will assist patients getting educated on how to start on the pump etc. I have thought about this type of position for a while since we make such strong connections with our diabetics. My biggest reservation is giving up the schedule. However, since my kids are older and an increased income would be super helpful for college I am thinking it may be time. I do like my school nursing job, but as you all know it can be so challenging, frustrating and exhausting. More than any non school nurses will ever know. What would it take for you to leave your current position or would you not leave?

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Hi Holken99,

I am not a school nurse, but a nurse educator in academies. I was reading your post about doing education for a medical company and I was thinking about doing the same thing. I was wondering if you decided to go for the new position. If so how is it?

Also isn't there a travel component?

Thanks

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I am in the interview process right now. I am not even sure I will be offered the position. As far as travel goes my impression is that it is regional to my area. I was told they usually fly you out for a two week training, however at this time it is virtual. This is something I will consider in my decision. I am really hoping to hear from some of the school nurses because I am torn about giving up all my time off.

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Specializes in ICU/community health/school nursing.

While I wish you the best:

How close are the chirren to going to college? I kept the school nurse gig into RJ Junior's first year of college. It is my deeply held belief that there are two critical times in the life of our kids - PreK and Kinder, and senior year. There's just SO MUCH that goes on and (depending on how involved you make yourself) so much to do in terms of applications to college and follow up. Not to mention the actual visiting of the college. I would not have traded the opportunity that I had as a school nurse for anything - I had long swaths of time off to help plan travel. Now that she's entering sophomore year I feel that I need to do "more", whatever more looks like.

It's possible you've already launched one student and don't need this advice. It's possible that your student is amazingly self directed and has already TKB. Just consider whether the schedule works. Also I will say that my school nurse salary did help us on the FAFSA application.

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My kids will be seniors. I have twins that will go to college at the same time, so the increase in salary is definitely a factor. We need all the extra we can get. I have found out this position stats with 4 weeks vacation plus 10 additional holidays. They close between Christmas and New Years which is amazing since I am so used to that time off. I have also heard that the time off is very flexible so I don't think having seniors would be an issue...but I don't know. As far as college tours and ceremonies, it may not even happen this year. I am scared regarding the possible sales aspect however my understanding is that I support sales by educating the product to the physician, staff and also patients. It is a field position so I would work from home and visit offices daily. No cold calling or attempting to get providers to speak to me etc like some pharm reps have to do. This states it is an educational role, however I have heard there will be some pressure regarding sales, I just don't know in what capacity.

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I am very interested in the position, but not traveling to different states via planes.

I am very curious.

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So funny you say that about planes! I am the SAME! I hate flying and have not done it in years. The position is regional so I don't anticipate that type of travel. But I can see the need to go to conferences and symposiums that may be required at some point. I think I can do it, but I worry about it. I know the usual training is a two week train in LA, but from what I understand it is virtual right now due to covid. I have always said I could do more but this opportunity when it ends up being 4 interviews and lots of self motivation and possibly not much direction from the company I do get a bit anxious that I am out of my league. With the sales component I have continued concern. However at the same time if I am educated on the product and my job is to educate then I think I can do it. UGH! So hard. Again I don't have an offer yet and I am still stressing!

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Do you mind me asking the name of the company you working with. The company that I am looking is Novasyte.

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