new job as a school nurse

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Specializes in M/S, Ortho, L&D, Neuro, Peds, School Nur.

I was offered a position in a middle school (5th and 6th graders) to start in the fall! I have 12 years of nursing experience from family physician's office, long term care, assisted living, and lots of hospital experience (med/surg, ortho, neuro stepdown, L&D and currently Peds). I am very excited about this oppurtunity! Do you all think I have an adequate background to make this switch? Is there anything I can do to better prepare myself for it other than the orientation program they plan to put me through?

lisa

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Specializes in LDR, Home Health, Med/Surg, Office.

Just wanted to say congrats Lisa,,,I can feel your excitement in your post! I too will be starting a position with the school but in elementary. With our budget cuts I'm being hired in at aide pay )o: but have hopes that will change in the next year...kinda looking at it as a 2 yr orientation for the main nurse position when she retires. I think your experience sound awesome! I wiould trust you to care for my child with that background! Good luck!

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Specializes in med/surg, home health, hospice.

I agree, you sound like you have plenty experience to make the transition. I have applied for a nurse position for a junior high school (7th-8th grade) and will be interviewed next week. I've been a nurse 5 yrs and have worked in the hospital (med/surg), home health and now hospice. I'm very nervous because I don't have any pedi experience! What type of interview questions/scenario's were you asked? I talked to a friend who used to do school nursing and she told me that she knew nurses that were hired (different district) straight out of nursing school!!! SCARY!

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Specializes in OB/GYN, Peds, School Nurse, DD.

Congratulations! Yes, you have a good background to draw upon and you WILL need it all. I worked in middle school for 2 years and believe me, I saw it all. Drug use, pregnancy(!), fights, allergic reactions, asthma attacks, heart attacks, PE injuries, fights, head injuries, and mental illness. They will keep you on your toes, that's for sure. :clown:

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Specializes in M/S, Ortho, L&D, Neuro, Peds, School Nur.

Thank you all. I am work right now at my current job, but will reply with what my interview was like in a couple days ... any advice for starting in my new position would be greatly appreciated!

lisa

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Specializes in med/surg, home health, hospice.

I interviewed for a school nurse position this morning for an intermediate school. Interview only lasted approx 20 min. Is that a bad sign? Principle did mention she was interviewing 4 other candidates today for the position and hoped to make a decision by the end of the week. How long after you interviewed did you get a offer?

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Specializes in M/S, Ortho, L&D, Neuro, Peds, School Nur.

The school board called me the next afternoon! Good luck!

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Specializes in med/surg, home health, hospice.

Thanks for the reply! The principle called me at 3pm the same day I interviewed! I'm so excited!!!!! How long have you been a school nurse and how do you like it?

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