a question i like to ask RNS

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2012

If you are considering school nursing or other non-bedside care positions, you would be best served by pursing a BSN and RN licensure.

learningriss · Aug 8, 2012

well that is my goal to be a school nurse or something that educates later on. I liket o work in a hospital setting first but get a AA degree then work on gettnig a BSN

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Aug 8, 2012

A school nurse is a nurse that works in a school to care for students whether elementary, middle or high school. A nursing instructor teaches nursing students how to become a nurse. Many states require a minimum of BSN to become certified as a school nurse. A minimum of BSN is required to teach nursing in most states, other states require a MSN or higher to teach RN students whether at the associate's, diploma, or BSN level.

There are some areas of the country where hospitals require RN's to have a minimum of a BSN for employment. You need to research your local market to determine which degree will serve you best to start.

Asystole RN · Aug 8, 2012

If you would like to work as a nurse in an alternative setting such as being a school nurse or educator then you really need to pursue at least a BSN if not a MSN. Many of the alternative settings require a minimum of a BSN, keep in mind that meeting minimal requirements does not make you a competitive candidate for employment.

BrandonLPN, LPN · Aug 8, 2012

Actually, where I live, most school nurses are LPNs. Some aren't even that, they're unlicensed "health aides". Each school district does have a RN supervisor, but he supervises dozens and dozens of schools. The actual nurses on site in the schools are mostly LPNs. I would imagine the RN supervisor position does indeed require a BSN, but they likely spend most of their time in meetings, setting up health initiatives, stuff like that.

Altra, BSN, RN · Aug 8, 2012

This varies from state to state. In my state and others, school districts can only hire nurses with the state-approved school nurse certification. In my state, this involves 1-2 semesters of post-baccalaureate coursework.

learningriss · Aug 8, 2012

what else can rns do beside bedsiding nursing be niceto know more things they can do when they get to old for the physical stuff but can still stand on the feet

michigansapphire · Aug 8, 2012

You are not too old! I became a nurse when I was 42.

learningriss · Aug 8, 2012

well i meant in there 60s don't know if its weird i want to stay in a career that old

BrandonLPN, LPN · Aug 8, 2012

By the time you're 60 there's a good chance the nursing field will have changed to the point of being completely different. It's hard to say what kind of jobs there will be be available by then for those nurses ready to be "put out to pasture". Plus 60 isn't that old. I work with a few sixty something nurses who can still rock a med pass in LTC.

SCSTxRN · Aug 9, 2012

I went from hospital bedside to psych - which is a relative physically non demanding job, most of the time. It is what you make it. There are also multiple admin positions - both available only to nurses (nurse manager) and to anyone with a degree and sufficient experience to pull it off (program manager) that are primarily paper pushing positions... very little physical work, very little patient contact.

As a nurse and a teacher, I am honestly more concerned when you mention a learning disability. Nursing school is fast paced and intense - and so are many branches of nursing practice. I'm not saying you can't do it - but starting out in LVN school, where there is a lot of clinical practice and repetition, may be better than starting out in RN school, where there is a lot of reading, memorizing, writing care plans, etc. LVN's are just as much a nurse - and graduate school much stronger in clinical skills than an RN new grad - at least here, and generally have less trouble transitioning to RN than they would have in RN school the first time.

JMO.