New nurse applied for school nurse

Published

I'm a new nurse, but not new to healthcare and politics. I like my current job, but I need something that is going to make me things click. I have small kids who will soon be in extracurriculars, and they will need me. Dad is active duty military, so his schedule is always unpredictable.

I recently applied for a few school nurse positions. Are newish nurses even likely candidates?

The semester that I was accepted into nursing school I was a long term sub in a Life Skills class, which made me seriously contemplate getting my teaching certificate (I have another BS), or going to nursing school (like I should have done 10 years ago, or one of the first 3 times I was accepted).

What do you love about being a school nurse? What makes you want to hide under your desk?

Is it unrealistic to think I could be a school nurse, and work my current job PRN?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in school nursing, ortho, trauma.

It's not impossible to be a successful nurse without prior experience, but it does make it a heck of a lot easier if you have a solid base. I am not certain what you are classifying as experience in healthcare and politics - but the school district that you apply to may or may not see it as valuable.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in IMC, school nursing.

I am old school all the way. I tell new nurses that you can't even consider yourself experienced before 3 full time years, to give yourself time to learn what you weren't schooled. School nursing is almost exclusively isolated, unsupervised and unpredictable. To have no prior catalog of experience is pretty unfair to the students. I am not trying to point fingers, as I know a few of you are new nurses and school nurses, but the first question you should ask is "would I be comfortable sending my family member to me?". I have a deep work history and this was a whole new mindset for me, with a steep learning curve (thanks ANSN, you saved me a few times). This may be a dream job, but some things need to happen in their time and IMO unsupervised jobs should be left to experienced nurses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Pediatrics, VNA, School Nursing.

In the state of Maine, one of the requirements to be 'certified' as a school nurse is that the nurse has at least 3 years of nursing experience. All public schools in Maine require school nurses to be certified or eligible to be certified before they will consider hiring them. After 20 years working as a school nurse, I agree completely with MRNURSE(x2).

Up Vote Up Vote ×
I am old school all the way. I tell new nurses that you can't even consider yourself experienced before 3 full time years, to give yourself time to learn what you weren't schooled. School nursing is almost exclusively isolated, unsupervised and unpredictable. To have no prior catalog of experience is pretty unfair to the students. I am not trying to point fingers, as I know a few of you are new nurses and school nurses, but the first question you should ask is "would I be comfortable sending my family member to me?". I have a deep work history and this was a whole new mindset for me, with a steep learning curve (thanks ANSN, you saved me a few times). This may be a dream job, but some things need to happen in their time and IMO unsupervised jobs should be left to experienced nurses.

This. Every word. Unless you are Jen-Elizabeth.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

5 years as a Navy corpsman. 1 year as an ER tech in a Level 1 trauma center. 2 years as a phlebotomist. 6 month ICU internship. Currently work ICU.

politics as in I know how many places work.

However, the school district I applied to requires 1-3 years of nursing experience, which I respect. I was called for an interview, and later told the DON says I cannot interview but I should apply for a nursing substitute.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion