New Grad wants to be school nurse

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jan 9, 2009

A new grad may have issues. You have to remember that in a school setting you are pretty much on your own to make the calls by yourself. Sure - there are schools that employ 2 or 3 nurses - but i'd say the majority of school nurses have their office to themselves. With that in mind, you have to have good assessment skills, and don't forget people skills. So much of the job is caring for the parents as well as the students. It's up to you to determine the small issues from the big ones and to accurately identify an emergency before it becomes a tragedy. You will also by default become the medical reference for the entire school.

My advice to is take some more time to really learn the ins and outs of nursing. Reach out to some school nurses in your area or better yet, contact your local districts about being a substitute nurse. Different states have different requirements to be a school nurse, so you will want to research this to.

bergren · Jan 10, 2009

NASN has a web page that might interest you.

Planning a Career in School Nursing?

http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=352

crimson and clover · Jan 13, 2009

Thanks for the replies. I have been trying to read up on nursing in general as well as pediatric nursing issues. I did check out the website and think I will shoot for a part time or substitute position when I do apply. I already have my school nurse license, I'm just gun shy about applying for a position before I feel totally prepared. I also don't want to put myself in a position that may not be a good fit. I really do want to go this route, however, so I am hoping I can prepare myself sufficiently so that I don't feel too much like a fish out of water.

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Jan 13, 2009

I started school nursing after only 3 mos. in the hospital. It is not easy, but it can be done. If you are not really confident in your assessment skills, don't even try it until you are! You have to be able to work independantly, and it helps if you have a good admin. I wore out the ear of the lead nurse for my district my first few weeks! She is great and always there when I need help. If you don't have this, it might be tough.

Since I am lacking in experience, I try to make up for it by studying everything I can. I ordered about $200 worth of textbooks on school nursing from NASN, and I go to conferences and extra continuing ed whenever they are available and I can afford it. I am planning on taking PALS over the summer. I read listservs and get weekly emails from schoolnurse.com and other resources. This really helps!

If you are passionate about it and have good assessment skills, I say go for it!

scooby72 · Jan 15, 2009

I am now in my 12th year of School Nursing and I LOVE it. I started out on the adventure (after 6 mos. in the hospital setting Med/Surg). Silly principal hired me (a nurse is a nurse, right?). I was suddenly in charge of the health and well-being of a Pre-K to 12th grade population, and the staff that worked there. My only saving grace was a great relationship with the county health department and a great mentor (my OWN School Nurse who had went to the Health Department after retiring from the school system). I started as an RN but have since went back to get my BSN, and certification in my state (IL). School Nurses have a great schedule and summers off but you have to (often times) weigh that against the ability to be able to go to another nurse in the unit to ask a second opinion. I think that most nurses out of our scope of practice don't realize is that you don't just do "bandainds." I have Trachs, Insulin Pumps, Caths, and tons of meds given each day (some I agree with - some I get angry with and try to discuss with Doc with no avail). Another point - as a School Nurse you have to know your stuff in peds, OB (teens, and pregnant staff), adults (had a teacher have an MI in class). I am not trying to scare you off of School Nursing but I want you to aware that if you are a School Nurse you will not be waiting in your office to give a child a bandaid. Plus = you have to deal with state regulations, educational regs, documentation (to CYA) ect. I am by no means trying to scare you off of School Nursing - it is the greatest!!

soontobeRN21 · Jan 15, 2009

What is the pay like compared to an RN in the hospital?

Purple_Scrubs, BSN, RN · Jan 15, 2009

The pay varies depending on the area and the district. In my district we are paid according to the teacher schedule. Since I was a new grad in the hospital, my pay was not that great so I did not take a big pay cut, but if you have been in the hospital for ages getting raises every year, you will probably take a cut. Also if you are used to shift diff that is gone. But, with all the holidays and every weekend off you can always PRN somewhere and make up some of the difference. There is summer school and camp nursing too.

The best way I know to get a feel for the schools in your area is to interview to sub. You can get all the salary info you need and subbing is a great way to see if it is for you, and to get your foot in the door!

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Jan 16, 2009

Definitely try and sub if you want to try it. That will give you and idea if you like it. I am making more than I was in the hospital only because I was so miserable there, I only worked 2 days a week! I do make less than I would in a full time position but the schedule and benefits are great. I've mentioned this before here, the main reason I like it so much is because in the hospital, I felt like i was spinning my wheels-just another warm body-here I feel like I make a DIFFERENCE. Not saying every hospital nurse feels this way, but I did. It is a specialty and you are underrespected and misunderstood by your co-workers, but it is the only job I would ever do.

crimson and clover · Jan 23, 2009

Well, I am hoping that I would have resources as a school nurse. For example, I could look things up in textbooks when I need to. Hopefully, the school provides those resources, otherwise I would seek them out independently. I wasn't a big fan of the hospital environment, especially the politics. I am willing to learn what I have to, but it does seem like it would cover a broad spectrum of topics. It seems that it is possible and maybe starting out on a part time basis would be best. One question I have is: do school nurses teach CPR?Thanks for the responses.

luvschoolnursing, LPN · Jan 23, 2009

Our school nurses do not teach CPR. Our local EMS comes in and re-certifies us. I know that other local school districts do have nurses that are certified to teach. One of the problems they have is getting enough people taught annually to keep their certification current. They usually have to go to other areas to get enough classes done, just keeping the nurses current isn't enough.

Flare, ASN, BSN · Jan 26, 2009

Well, I am hoping that I would have resources as a school nurse. For example, I could look things up in textbooks when I need to. Hopefully, the school provides those resources, otherwise I would seek them out independently. I wasn't a big fan of the hospital environment, especially the politics. I am willing to learn what I have to, but it does seem like it would cover a broad spectrum of topics. It seems that it is possible and maybe starting out on a part time basis would be best. One question I have is: do school nurses teach CPR?Thanks for the responses.

I teach CPR only because i chose to go out and get certified as an AHA instructor. My school takes advantage of this and i get a little extra pocket money teaching CPR to the staff that wants to take it a few times a year.