mag426

Glad to hear someone else is part-time as well. My school has me due to graduate Fall of 2022 if I remain part-time. Which is part of the reason I would like to switch to full-time so that I can finish in 2 years versus 3. I will know what I want to do at the end of this year. We don't go through the summer , only Fall and Spring semesters, so that is probably a reason why my expected finish date is different. How are you doing in Advanced Patho so far? I'm due to take Advanced Health Policy in the fall semester. I'm glad your school is there to help you get a site if you cannot find your own. I feel like that is what my school is saying to us as well, find your own and if not we will help you find one. I wish you well on your new journey. ? Yay, glad to hear from you @RNAC92

Good afternoon, Just started FNP program at Rivier University ? Just wondering if anyone else just started this Spring 2019 like me? What classes are taking? Are you full-time or part time? Will you be working throughout the program? Does your school find placement for you or do you have to do it yourself? Is your program online/hybrid/in person? I'm taking advanced pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology. I'm currently part-time but considering going full-time. But I have to complete one year of classes with good grades before they would consider switching me over. I'm not 100% if I want to switch or just keep my current program of study. I will be working throughout the program. Currently a school nurse at a charter middle school in Boston. I don't think I will be able to maintain this job once it is time for practicum so I was thinking maybe I will go per diem nights at a hospital somewhere. I'm not sure yet. I have to work with my school to find placement/preceptor. Part of me is happy I get a say but not happy because it will probably hard work to find a decent preceptor. I chose the online program because I live about an hour and a half away from the university (next state over). Excited for this new journey nonetheless! ?

@ICU2NP Thank you! I figured it would probably be better to get into it while he's younger versus once he gets older. I've literally been in school forever, at least it feels like it lol From trying to get into the nursing program, to actually getting in, then RN-BSN now I want to start the FNP program but I suppose it's a lot easier to transition when you have the momentum already going. Well fingers crossed I get in then I will see what my options are for start time.

My application for the full-time FNP program is currently being reviewed. If I get accepted into the fall semester. I will have just had my son a few months prior. He is due May 1st and I will be a first time mom. Just wondering if I'm crazy to start in the fall or should I postpone until next year Spring. Is there anyone else in this similar situation :) I'm a hard worker so I know I can do it! But question is whether I should just enjoy the first few months of being a mom. Oh I also work full-time as a school nurse so most of my assignments if not all can be completed there due to all the down time I have.

@WineRN, BSN, RN Thank you! :)

@ruby_jane, BSN, RN Thank you! :) Cannot wait to meet him!

@Cattz I will :)

@OldDude, RN Thank you! I will continue to waddle on. lol

Hi, Remember me, I started school nursing back in September of 2017. I wasn't in love when I first started but I've learned to adjust and the perks/benefits outweighed how I felt, very baby friendly job, esp since my baby is due May 1st. Just counting down the days till I go on maternity leave now. I signed a new contract for the next school year "18-19". I start maternity leave May 1st and then return back to work September 4th. I also asked for a reduction of hours. So after I come back from leave I will be 7-245 vs staying till 345 just to avoid my heavy commute and have more time to pick up baby from sitter and get errands ran. I had to of course take a small reduction of salary but I'm okay with it for now. If It doesn't make a difference I will ask to go back to original hours and salary. So I'm going to stick it out here for one more year. I applied for an FNP program so just waiting to hear if I was accepted. Only time will tell me where my nursing journey will take me next year. :) Just wanted to check back in with you guys/gals. Hope all is well!

Completely get what you're saying, but as you said nurses aren't necessary but ancillary in the education field, the operations staff would be struggling to keep up with their own tasks and the overflow of students that come to the nurse's office without a school nurse here. Hence why I believe in certain schools we are very important. I know when I first started here (charter school) that they were so thankful to have a full-time nurse. But I understand the point you're trying to make, I just want to bring to attention that as RN's should and deserve to get the pay we deserve as well, school nurse or not. :)

I get what you're saying but in my eyes it is still a pay cut. I was comparing hourly figures not actual days worked because I haven't made it to a year yet. I know that schools don't go all year round but my bills do. So it equals to a little less then what I was making at my previous job but close. They take 6 weeks off in the summer and are off on all major holidays and have school breaks throughout the year, I believe 3. I live in a high cost state so every penny counts and I don't have a spouse to support me fully. We are in it together and I make the higher of the two salaries. I still will ask for a raise at the end of my contract, because I deserve it (they haven't had a consistent school nurse make it through the whole year and implement as much as I have ever) and an increase is always welcome to help support a growing family. As I have a little one on the way due in May. I don't know about you guys but I didn't bust my butt in nursing school for as long as I did to get short changed. Benefits or not. I'm staying in school nursing until I finish my Masters program so I'm grateful for the opportunities its helping me achieve but I'm not sold on this being the last stop on my nursing journey. Thanks for the breakdown though, I do see your point!

I'm grateful to receive what I do because I wouldn't be able to survive on $15/hr the benefits would never be that great! But it seems like overall school nurses don't get paid what I believe we should be getting paid.

I like you was previously making 28/hr and 33/hr on weekends as an RN though at my previous and first nursing job. Started this school nurse position in September of 2017 and they offered me 50,000 which I thought was really low so they renegotiated to 54,000. I'm salary. It is still lower than what I was getting paid before but it's decent enough to pay the bills. I plan on asking for more $ before I sign on the contract for the new school year after my current one ends in May. The perks of the position help outweigh the low pay. I loved having all that time off during the holidays and being pregnant the ease of the work itself makes up for the low pay in a sense. But I still need to be able to pay my bills and save up for my baby so don't let them low ball you either. 15/hr is unacceptable in my opinion. But I live in Massachusetts where the cost of living is high so I wouldn't survive nor accept a position offering that amount. Hope this helps!

It's starting off good. Nothing major happening today. Half of the student body isn't here due to the cold and parents choosing to keep them home. I live in MA so the temps are in the single digits Just been resuming the work I started before the holiday break. Making sure each grade level is in compliance with immunizations and working on the remainder of the health screenings I have left.

Do you live in MA? We're expecting a snowstorm as well. I'm hoping for a snow day! Yes, even after the holiday break I'm ready for a day off lol