Newbie39

The only problem with this is that we as a military family have had to move several times and have noticed that for example it is just as expensive to love in Florida as Washington state, or any other state we've lived in but I make $11 less/hr for my nursing job currently than where I came from. It is only slightly cheaper if you purchase a home, but renting to include all other utilities, gas and groceries are identical and at times even more in my less paying state.

I'm a brand spanking new RN/ ICU nurse making only a few dollars more an hour. I think it's highly dependent on the organization (school's budgets aren't substantial).

Okay, let me clarify :) : What I'm stating is simply what I've noticed in many school districts, not what I'd prefer. I'd prefer at the very minimum, a medical professional present in every school. I feel like a nurse (RN or LPN) paramedic would be best but that an EMT could certainly fulfill the requisites under supervision of a paramedic. I don't think the current policy adequately covers children with emergent situations. In the past, I've been informed of children dying while awaiting an ambulance due to the trained responder (LPN, RN, EMT, Paramedic) not being present. Often an RN as I stated above, if hired, rotates between several schools within a district leaving behind a clerical support that may or may not feel comfortable providing hands-on first-aid, CPR or Epi-pen and certainly may feel overwhelmed in the case of a rapid desaturation (asthma), or other acute conditions not covered in layman's first aid. I hope that helps.

In my experience I have noticed that school nurses often aren't nurses at all. In fact depending on the state, a school nurse does not have to be a certified nursing assistant even. All that quite a few states we've lived in required was a CPR and First- Aid course. Budget cuts have changed the school nurse position dynamically with many school districts sharing one registered nurse. Emergencies are turned over to 911 and besides basic care, CPR/Heimlich and epi-pen administration, the school nurse essentially is a liaison between the district nurses. I'd do some research to uncover what is required for your state. Chances are, you are over qualified. I've heard a few stories that ended horribly for children due to this risky budget adjustment but don't feel like many people actually know their school nurse is not an LPN/RN/CMT/Paramedic... Best of luck to you my friend.

Good Morning everyone in this collective community! I am a new graduate of an Associates Degree RN program. I did very well in school (3.89) but killed myself to get there. I earned a spot in the ICU for preceptorship based on my performance and dedication. I did well thanks to an irreplaceable preceptor and a fantastic group of nurses who worked alongside her. I however have limited healthcare experience, once in admin and 8 years as a CNA. I am a hard-worker and a perfectionist (I haven't met many nurses who aren't). Though my nursing program was stringent in comparison to many in my area, and all of us were offered jobs in our preceptorship area, I still feel like I can't live up to what I'd expect in an ICU nurse. My professors and peers have encouraged me to have the confidence in myself that they have in me but I don't think I've earned that ICU spot yet. ​ If my 5 year plan involves landing an ICU position, where would you encourage someone like me to apply? I was thinking perhaps, PCU... I feel like choosing anything besides ICU will be seen as a let down to all those who support me; however, my thought is that ICU should be for those who have honed their nursing skills. I plan to do what I feel represents the safest plan for advancement. I moved across the country. Regardless of the position I apply for, I have no idea what the average starting pay in Northwest, Florida is for my perspective title. I don't want to go in asking too high a number and seem like a jerk but I'm also a parent with bills to pay and want my wage to at least be reasonable for the area. I have researched through several websites but they don't seem too accurate for any area I've lived in before. Currently Florida seems just as expensive in comparison to Washington but wages seem uncharacteristically low from what I've read in the newspaper. Unfortunately I haven't found wages advertised for nursing positions yet. Let me know if you currently work here and have suggestions for me! Thank you so much!

My Associates degree cost me about $11,000 besides books, gas and obvious other expenses. Don't do it.