New School Nurse Interview

[rusticmoose]

Hi,

I am a nurse with a diploma from a hospital school of nursing, with 1 year to go towards my BSN.

I have been working for the past 10 years primarily in nursing homes

on LTC, sub-acute, and Alzheimer's units.

There is an opening at my local high school for an assistant school

nurse. They are looking for someone licensed as an LPN or RN.

I have absolutely no experience in school nursing. I have an interview on Monday. I am burned out and really need a change, so I'd like to make a career change. (Also, my husband is now retired and I'd like to have the summers off to spend with him, but I don't know if I should say that at the interview. The interviewers know my husband as he just retired from the same high school).

Can anyone give me any hints or tips?

Can anyone give me an idea of what kind of questions I may be asked in the interview?

Thanks,

Gayle

[BreezieRN]

Hi I have an interview on Friday for a school nursing position!! I'm so excited!! But I'm very nervous as well. I have only minimal med/surg experience and 2 years of psych experience. I have a feeling I'll really need to "put myself out there" for this interview. How did yours go?? Did you get the job?? Can you give me any pointers??

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

Don't know what it's like in your state, but in Pennsylvania, if you're being hired as an "assistant nurse" you will be working with an experienced certified school nurse. That's how I got into school nursing. Was a great learn as you go opportunity. It's a great job. Just ask questions about the position, because the one I was in required an RN but was considered a "nurses aid" position, so it was only part time, no benefits, low pay and no pay over the summer. It worked fine for me at the time because my husband had benes and I did babysitting over the summer. I couldn't wait to get out of the hospital so the $10/hr pay cut was OK. Just make sure you know what you are being offered. If you have kids in school and can work their school calender and shifts, it can be a great job.

As far as interview questions, confidentiality is a big issue in schools. Also remember that nurses are there to enhance education (keep kids healthy, pick up on vision/hearing problems, keep attendance problems at a minimum)