New graduate question for school nurses

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

I will be graduating this May and hopefully licenced by July. I was pursuing the jobs in my area to get an idea of what is available and found a school nurse position opening for August 2016 within minutes from my home. That would be the dream!

I realize it is a long shot, but I wanted to apply just to see if I can get the job. Do you think it is really dumb idea? If by some chance I was accepted into the position, would it be stupid for a new graduate to do this kind of job? It does say 2 years of nursing experience required. However, every job I look at says that!

My goal, if I was a school nurse as a newbie, would be to also work PRN at a hospital over the summers, breaks, etc. in order to gain skills.

Should I bother applying or just put the whole idea out of my head?

Thank for you input!

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If I were hiring for a school nurse position, I would not hire a new grad. Not because the job is that technical or hard but because we are pretty much on our own. We are the only medical people on the building and have to make the decisions as well as answer a bajillian questions. Maybe a couple years of experience and you sub as a school nurse to get an idea if you like it. So much you need to learn about education while you are still getting your nursing skills refined.

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Specializes in Home Health,Dialysis, MDS, School Nurse.

While you chances might be slim, it never hurts to apply and get experience with interviewing. You could make an impression on the people who interview you and lay ground work for future opportunities. You could ask about subbing if you weren't selected for the job. Good luck!

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I am in a very similar situation. I graduated last May and started as a school nurse in August. I feel like taking this job was the worst decision I've ever made. I am constantly terrified that I am going to make the wrong decision and with no true nursing experience aside from clinicals and working as a CNA, I don't have prior experiences to really go off of. I was very excited for this job; I had worked as a CNA in the float pool in a hospital and on a pediatric floor, and I also did my last semester internship in Public health and really enjoyed it. I thought I would be prepared enough because of this, and thought they wouldn't have hired me if I couldn't do it. I was wrong. My supervisor is very nice and supportive but honestly I should not be in this position, I never know if I missed something or should've done something different, and being the one in the entire school people look to when things go wrong is super scary when you aren't even 100% sure what to do yourself. Not to mention there's a contract to sign for the school year and you have to pay liquidated damages in order to break it... If I were you I would definitely see if you can shadow or something first and see if you would be comfortable doing all the medical nursing stuff with no one there to back you up. I wish I would have.

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Specializes in Pediatrics Retired.

I see you're from Texas. I'm assuming you will be a RN. In Texas, school nurses are not a requirement. But only a RN can be a "school nurse" in public schools according to the Texas Education Agency. Regardless of what they are called, anyone working in a school clinic, unless they are an RN can be a "school nurse." Having said that, a RN/school nurse, takes professional responsibility for the campus health needs. If there is not a RN on campus the campus principal is responsible for the health needs of the students. With some exception, the campus school nurse is the lone voice in regard to every imaginable injury and illness scenario and personally/professionally responsible for every decision associated with that. Every time I think I've seen it all I see something I haven't seen before. You can never predict what's going to come through your clinic door and you are the only one to make a decision as to how to intervene. I think I'm gonna leave it at that without giving you any advise.

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If I were hiring for a school nurse position, I would not hire a new grad. Not because the job is that technical or hard but because we are pretty much on our own. We are the only medical people on the building and have to make the decisions as well as answer a bajillian questions. Maybe a couple years of experience and you sub as a school nurse to get an idea if you like it. So much you need to learn about education while you are still getting your nursing skills refined.

This ^^^^

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Specializes in School nursing.

I became a school nurse as a new grad. I subbed first for 3 months, then took a full time position. I did, however, work in high education administration for 7 years prior to going to nursing school, so the educational environment wasn't unfamiliar.

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Specializes in IMCU, Oncology.

Ok, thanks y'all! It sounds like it is probably a bad idea to go straight into school nursing, although I am still tempted. I think it is unlikely I would called for an interview and it wouldn't be the only job I apply for...as my goal is to also work at a hospital. I may work at a hospital and sub instead.

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I did school nursing right after graduating and I did just fine! I got a job that I really wanted and the hours are awesome! I have other nurses in my distract who I can call up and they are happy to navigate me.

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