HeleneRN

I am just finishing up the RN to BSN program at Northeastern. Over the course of ten months, I have taken thirteen courses, many of which were online. Northeastern as a load of online courses, including statistics, although I found that course to be challenging in the classroom - don't know if I could have done it online. Have you looked into U Mass/Lowell for A&P? The price difference is remarkable. To be completely honest, my education at Northeastern has been good, but not as good as I expected. I think taking A&P at a community college may well give you the same or close accomplishments. I'm just starting to look at MSN programs, but I know I won't be going to Northeastern.

Yes, school nurses need a Bachelor's degree at a minimum. Here in Massachusetts, things are changing and school nurses have to have a Masters within five years of starting or become certified in School Nursing. I have been working for the past two years as a substitute school nurse while I am finishing my RN to BSN program I have one more class which will end in July. There is an opening at a middle school waiting for me for September. I don't see the need for a Masters degree. That is a awful lot of money to spend for the salary. It would take years to recoup, but I'll figure it out later! To address the original message, the hours are fabulous. There is a huge amount of paperwork that can tack on time each day, but most of the nurses get out about 15 minutes after the last bus rolls out! The pay is not good, but you are only working about 180 days a year. The benefit of being home in the afternoons, nights, weekends, and holidays far outweights the income. I am going to give it a try full time and decide if this is what I want. I no longer have the patience for obnoxious doctors. I think I am ready to tackle the obnoxious adolescent!!! Helene

congratulations!! what a relief! when i took the boards, we had to wait two months for the results, and the tests took two days to take!! i'm so glad things have changed! :chuckle i passed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :rotfl: :roll i am now an rn. denise, rn[/size]

I can certainly understand your concerns, but you have to just realize that you have completed your education and are qualified to practice! Don't hold back on looking for a job. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will become. Have faith in yourself....you are not alone. Every hospital's halls have nurses who will be ready to help. Helene in MA I haven't actively started searching for a job because the thought of someone's life in my hands is terrifying. Any thoughts or suggestions on how to conquer this fear? Thank you in advance.[/size][/size]

I'm in the same boat! I have just spent the last two hours searching the net for nursing research articles....thought I'd jump in here with high hopes!! Good luck. I'll post anything I happen to find...if I do! Helene

I am in need of exactly this type of research - or all nursing research done regarding 'Frequent Flyers'. If anyone can direct me to articles or sites with this information, it would be greatly appreciated! I am starting a Nursing Research course tonight and have to choose a topic for the class. Thanks, Helene :)

I agree with Mary. You need to think of yourself and family first. If you can't verbally tell them, show them your post. It is a well written summary of your feelings. If your brothers do not understand, than what are they doing in the health care field?? :)

I have been a school nurse for only a year and a half, but the one and only pet peeve I have is the misuse of the nurse's office, particularily at the middle school level. They come down to get out of class - no particular complaints or obvious injuries. They ask for Tylenol and I'll bet 90% don't need it. But we have a form the parents fill out at the beginning of the year giving us permission to use Tylenol for H/A's. I find it hard to have my time taken away by 'frequent flyers' from the students that need it. Of course, if the teachers did not write out the passes so freely for the kids to go to the nurse's office, there would not be a problem!!

I just found this web site yesterday so I am a new member. Your question and thoughts are interesting. I stayed home with my kids for about 8 years after 15 plus years of inpatient work. After all that time, I had no idea how to get back into the field. I knew for sure I did not want inpatient nursing. I am too old for those hours!! I fell into a part-time substitute school nurse job. The pay is awful, but it is giving me an opportunity to practice an entirely different kind of nursing. I am also working part-time doing home care for a family with three sick children. In addition to the jobs, I have returned to school to finish my BSN (diploma nurse). After that, I don't know what I want to do!! I thought I'd really like school nursing, and I do, but don't know for sure it is what I want when I finish my degree next year. I am concerned about getting 'settled' into a job before reaching my 50's. I am 45 now, so I have some time to decide. The fact that there is a nursing shortage is to our advantage. The real problem that is developing is a shortage of nursing faculty. Anyway, the demands for nursing education is increasing, but I don't think I want to persue a Masters. What are your thoughts about this increase in demand for higher educated nurses? How do you think this will affect those of us who have been nurses for so long? Helene

Massachusetts is contemplating requiring an MSN for a school nurse. I have a diploma in nursing and have just recently returned to finish my BSN, which should take another year. I looked into an online BSN program and found them to be very expensive. At this point, the minimum for a school nurse is a BSN. I can work as a substitute nurse, which is a great way to start. I go from school to school as needed, working with kids at all grade levels. I just don't understand how they could expect a nurse with a Masters to work in a low paying school system. Helene