scomeauRN

Was wondering if there are any school nurses in inner city, or high immigrant population cities that would like to share... What is your typical day like? What problems do you deal with that aren't typically seen in the suburbs (teen pregnancy, drug use, fights, abuse/neglect?) What do you love/hate about your job? What is most challenging/rewarding? Thanks :)

Oh and I already have my BSN. So the DOE will accept LTC experience as "relevant clinical experience"? And is 24-32 hours/week for two years enough to qualify for two full years employment?

Hi everyone, thanks for the advice! I have read on the other forums about subbing, but I just don't think it will work for me. I work 4 overnights during the week and my husband works 80 hours/week and I have a 2 year old so not much flexibility in my schedule... I will apply first then and hope they hire me without the certs! I know it would not be a huge deal to get them, its just a matter of taking the time off of work... my facility has staffing issues so it is very hard to get time, if I take it then there goes my vacation for the rest of the year :/ I will look into taking the MTEL though...

Thanks for your reply! Can you walk me through the application process a little bit? I am looking at public schools and I have heard they will hire you before you get your initial license is this right? Or do I need to take the MTEL and get an initial license before I even apply? I'd like to start applying now to get in for this school year... So in my mind the steps would be 1: Apply 2: Take MTEL 3: Apply for initial license 4: Take orientation courses Also would you wait until you were offered a position to move forward to taking the MTEL etc? I understand the requirements but not sure about the order that all these things need to be done... I want to be competitive when I apply but at the same time it would be nice to save the money on the test/orientation until I know I have a position, especially since I have heard of schools that pay for it... but I also don't want to be passed up for not having them...

Does anyone know if long-term care experience counts toward MA DESE initial licensure as a school nurse? It just says: A minimum of two full years of employment as a Registered Nurse in a child health, community health, or other relevant clinical nursing setting. Would this be two years of full-time 40 hr/week employment? I have been working 24-32 hr/week in LTC for 2 years and thinking of applying for a school nurse position... Do I have the experience to be considered for a position?

Hi all, I am a staff nurse in LTC with one year experience and have always been interested in MDS. I know the basics of what an MDS nurse does, but I would need the training. I spoke to one of the MDS nurses at my facility who said they are looking for part-time help and that the facility would train me in-house, but I also spoke with my supervisor (who is a DON at another facility) who said you really need to go out and get certified and take courses. What is the best route of training/entry into MDS nursing? My facility also doesn't have a ton of money and I doubt they would pay for courses to get me certified. Also, should I approach the corporate MDS nurse or the DON at my facility about this? I have heard conflicting things about how to go about this! Thanks :) Also, I am in MA.