what do you make of this job description?

[ferminadaza]

hello, fellow nurses!

I'm an ED RN of several years. This is a second career for me; I spent the first decade of my adult life as a painter, art teacher (at summer camps), and nanny. Going into nursing, I thought I might do something pedi-specific, considering my experience with kiddos, but quickly found my heart-strings were not up to the task in the acute setting.

My husband is about to finish a master's in elementary ed (also a second career for him) and I've started fantasizing about becoming a school nurse because (1)I'm interested in the job! and (2) it would be amazing for us to be on the same schedule as we start a family.

I actually enjoy working in the ED, too, and I'm not in any particular rush to leave. I imagine I would try and stay on in some casual fashion when/if I hypothetically attempt a switch.

But what I'm curious about is... what do you make of this job description that was just posted for the town I live in? I have the impression that each school in the town already has their "own" nurse. I know I can simply interview and ask them myself, but do any of you work in a "leadership" capacity like this? what's it like? is the salary typical?

I think I'm most interested in the student care aspect of the job, so I'm assuming it's not the best fit for me, but because the job is open I'm curious.

School Nurse

$44,153 a year

[TABLE]

[TR]

[TD=class: snip]ANNOUNCEMENT

The XXX Board of Education has an opening for a School Nurse for the 2016-2017 school year. This is a full-time assignment, in accordance with the academic calendar. The RN will be responsible for providing leadership to the school's health services and will serve as a liaison to building and/or district administrators. The starting salary is $44,153.

QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelors of Science Degree required and Registered Nurse Licensure must be in good standing with the XXXX Board of Nursing. Must be able to travel to various locations on a daily basis. Maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification.

[/TD]

[/TR]

[/TABLE]

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

This sounds like a head nurse type position for all the schools in one district. You may be in charge of health assistants that run clinics in other schools. If it were me, i'd go for the interview, but i would probably have 1000 questions about the job.

[kidzcare]

This sounds like a head nurse type position for all the schools in one district. You may be in charge of health assistants that run clinics in other schools. If it were me, i'd go for the interview, but i would probably have 1000 questions about the job.

Agreed, Flare.

I would think they would look for someone who has experience as a school nurse for this position. How can one expect to manage a job that they have never done? School nursing is a different kind of specialty. Working the day to day would give someone the experience needed to understand what the expectations are for those that they are overseeing.

additionally- are you certain that this is not a 12 month position? Sometimes leadership or administrative positions work year round instead of only during school months.

[MHDNURSE]

Our district's Nurse Leader oversees all the school and her job is 100% administrative, meaning zero interaction with students. She manages all the HR issues, paperwork, etc. I would never want that job. But if admin is totally your thing...

[ferminadaza]

Good points, all! Thanks for chiming in. There's definitely a side of me that geeks out a little on certain admin responsibilities, potentially, yet patient care is what I actually love about being a nurse. I can't yet imagine enjoying a job with zero patient contact...

[tining, BSN, RN]

You can always sub. That gets you known in the district for the next full time nurse spot.