Problems changing specialty after school nursing

[blueindigo79]

I am thinking about school nursing but had a question about finding a job after school nursing. Do you have any problems changing specialties after? If I work as a school nurse for a while then decide to go back to beside, will I have a hard time getting a job in acute care or research for example? I have 12 years of acute care experience already. Thanks in advice!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

I'm fully in love with ambulatory care and you couldn't get me back to bedside....

BUT - my former boss in public health was a school nurse for 18 years and came back into management. We had school nurses in our district who left after a few years to go back to bedside. You have a plethora of acute care experience so it should not be difficult for you. If you're really concerned, keep a PRN/summer position with a hospital. I know a number of nurses who do. Although they complain about working on our vacations, they really have the best of both worlds.

[OldDude]

There are so few school nurses that return to acute care I would say you could do it if the circumstances arose but you probably wouldn't want to - other than prn or some pool position to generate extra income at your convenience.

[OyWithThePoodles, RN]

There are so few school nurses that return to acute care I would say you could do it if the circumstances arose but you probably wouldn't want to - other than prn or some pool position to generate extra income at your convenience.

Agreed, the only ones I've heard of returning to the bedside have to for financial reasons unfortunately. But with the OP's experience I'd say you'd have no problem going back if needed.

[Mango Juice]

After I was a school nurse for 3 years, I applied to a few inpatient/hospital jobs as my family was relocating. The nurse recruiter let me know that I was considered as being away from the bedside for too long and recommended that I apply for clinic jobs. Luckily, I landed a school nurse job (and I love it and would never want to change career paths!).

[tippeny]

I, unfortunately, just left school nursing for financial reasons and had no problem returning to a clinical position. I am not doing bedside however- I am working in a multi-specialty clinic a as an RN. I only hve 4 years of nursing under my belt, but that hasn't held me back. FYI, if it weren't for the crappy salary, I would not have left school nursing.

[brap740, BSN, MSN]

12 years....then a hiatus to test the waters of school nursing!?

I'd imagine employers would be chomping at the bit to retain you. You shouldn't have any problems. U less your resume is loaded with 2-year hops from Jon to Job to job. Even still....I would've at the least give you an interview to see if you're a good fit.

You won't have problems getting interviews.