Moving from middle school to high school

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

I am an intermediate school nurse (5th and 6th) in Texas at a school with ~750 students. I am responsible for vision and hearing on my 5th graders and any 6th grader who is new to the district, plus scoliosis screening on the 6th graders. I also give a presentation every spring to my students regarding growth and development. I taught 5th grade for the same district for 7 years before becoming a school nurse.

Recently, I have decided that I wanted to try working with older students. To make a long story short, I have an interview this afternoon with a 9th-grade campus that is 5 minutes from my house. There is no Life Skills on campus, and athletic injuries go to the trainer. Any advice on how to do well in the interview? I really want to stand out and be seriously considered for this position. Thanks in advance for your help!

[duckieRN]

Hello!

I did High School a few years ago and my mother is still a high school Nurse. Best Wishes for your interview!

I would focus on health prevention. Connecting student's with resources (health wise) to make them more successful for college. Maybe even discuss partenering with the trainer and coaches regarding sports safety. My first year at the campus, I implemented an emergency response team and AED training. Also, talk about your clinic and policies and how to cut back on absenteeism... they like that lol

Be youself! If its meant to be, it will happen!

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Hello!

I did High School a few years ago and my mother is still a high school Nurse. Best Wishes for your interview!

I would focus on health prevention. Connecting student's with resources (health wise) to make them more successful for college. Maybe even discuss partenering with the trainer and coaches regarding sports safety. My first year at the campus, I implemented an emergency response team and AED training. Also, talk about your clinic and policies and how to cut back on absenteeism... they like that lol

Be youself! If its meant to be, it will happen!

Preventive health is a biggie. I cover a middle school and high school. The first year I was here, I offered to teach a one class course during our college skills class for seniors that I call "College Health 101." I tackle the transition of managing one's health during college vs. high school.

Is this a 9th grade only campus? You may want to consider questions re: possible student pregnancy (read up on student's rights in your state) and concussions (even if this go to the trainer, you may be managing return to school). If you have taught growth and development, you may want to talk about as that strength could be utilized to further sex education in 9th grade (and beyond!).

[Farawyn]

High school in NY, sorry I just saw this. I hope you did well on your interview!

I would say concussion care and the more social issues come up a lot- drugs, cutting, anorexia. If you don't know the policy, be honest, but maybe try to look at your state Ed board online and see.

Other than that, viruses, headaches, "cramps" sore throats abrasions, CRAMPS, allergies, meds and oh did I mention cramps?

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

Thank you so much for your responses! It is a 9th-grade only campus in a fairly affluent area; right now I am at a Title I campus with a mainly Hispanic population. I will definitely try to incorporate both of your suggestions into my interview. I want this job so badly, but I know that other nurses from the same district with more experience than me are also interviewing. Hopefully the fact that I have worked with their population as a pediatric triage nurse (in private practice) will help me; I'm not sure if it is a good idea or not to mention that my son will be at that school next year.

[Farawyn]

Thank you so much for your responses! It is a 9th-grade only campus in a fairly affluent area; right now I am at a Title I campus with a mainly Hispanic population. I will definitely try to incorporate both of your suggestions into my interview. I want this job so badly, but I know that other nurses from the same district with more experience than me are also interviewing. Hopefully the fact that I have worked with their population as a pediatric triage nurse (in private practice) will help me; I'm not sure if it is a good idea or not to mention that my son will be at that school next year.

You should mention it. And how happy you are about that because you know what a great school it is, blah dee dah. It could go either way. In my case it helped. My kids are good kids, which definitely helped, but also, I made a big deal about being accountable to all "my" kids and to my community at large.

They will find out anyway, you should tell them

AND when they ask if you want to say anything else in your interview? Tell them, I really want this job. I've been on interview panels, and when someone is "into it" you know.

Keep us posted!

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

Thanks for all of your advice. I think the interview went well, and the principal plans to make a decision soon. It was strange to not have a panel interview; it was just the principal, and he didn't mention doing second interviews. I'll keep everyone posted...

[iggywench, BSN, RN]

They've already made a decision, and the position went to my current lead nurse. I have a feeling it was a "done deal" in advance. So, I'm staying where I am next year and will be OK with it.

[Farawyn]

They've already made a decision, and the position went to my current lead nurse. I have a feeling it was a "done deal" in advance. So, I'm staying where I am next year and will be OK with it.

I'm sorry!

[100kids, BSN, RN]

They've already made a decision, and the position went to my current lead nurse. I have a feeling it was a "done deal" in advance. So, I'm staying where I am next year and will be OK with it.

Unfortunately that happens a lot but hopefully something will come up again and you'll get your shot.