2 questions for school nurses.

uthscsa2011 · Jun 2, 2014

Hello LevitateMe,

I am 25 years old and did not get hired in a hospital right away (my passion was OB) so I took the only place that called me back, which was my elementary school. Been here ever since bc no hospital will hire a nurse that's been a school nurse for 2 years and no clinical experience (trust me I've tried).

But anyway, my day consists of getting here at 7am, wiping down the clinic, my desk and phone and keyboard, just really sanitizing everything. I read and reply to emails (bc I get 100+ day) and call parents back if any left voicemails. I make sure I have enough ice packs for the day (these go quick). Once 8am hits, I have a line of kids already at the door. I basically do triage with the students. Mostly minor first aid, but I've had to call EMS already 3 times since I started in 2012 (for students and parents on campus). I hand TONS of medications (mostly PO), but also neb tx, straight caths, ect. There were no diabetics on my campus this year. While giving meds and documenting my vistits and meds given, I am checking shot records, writing referrals to doctors, sitting in 504 meetings/ARDS, giving presentations/demonstrations over EPipens, monitoring the ozone for Ozone Action days, cancelling Recess as needed, presenting the maturation video for 5th graders, sitting in on registration day to check shots, ect.

If I'm lucky I can go to the bathroom and eat lunch lol.

With my school district, when you start, you start at the base pay. Even though you have nursing experience they don't count that here. You salary goes up as your number of years here increase.

Hope this helps!

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Jun 2, 2014

You may never leave!!! I started 20 years ago and the time has flown by!! I will retire from this job. My days are busy:

scheduled meds

prn meds

neb treatments

injuries

Vision and Hearing screening,

I also sit on multiple teams/committees.

Drug and alcohol force,

local summer lunch program,

local nursing program advisory board

safety committee

the wellness committee

work on a bi-annual wellness fair

Serve as a resource for students faculty and community.

Survey the kids q 2 years on risky behaviors and

then report them to the school community school board outside agencies.

Support various local charitible endeavors.

Develop (with a team ) 504 plans,

sit in on SpEd meetings as needed.

annual flu clinic for staff

Athletics

monitor compliance with athletics (for physicals)

run the neuro-cognitive testing for athletes;

monitoring safe return to play after a concussion

prepare the medical bags for the coaches

Yeesh I am exhausted just looking at this!!! :eek:

LevitateMe, RN · Jun 2, 2014

Sounds like you both enjoy your jobs though! I may have to look further into it.

coughdrop.2.go, BSN, RN · Jun 2, 2014

Your place on the pay scale depends on the District. Some Districts included nursing experience, but may have a cap, others only take school nursing experience. Some Districts have nurses on the teacher's pay scale or their own. I have my own pay scale and I'm considered an Administrator. My pay scale goes up with years of experience, but not with degrees or college credit like the Teacher's.

I do:

Vision and hearing for special ed student, teacher/staff referrals, and state testing

First aid/emergency management. 911 has been called about 10 times between all 3 of my schools

Counseling (depending on the topic)

Creation of care plans and communicate with physicians and parents

First Aid/CPR staff training

Various health trainings/presentations for staff

Safety committee chair

IEP and 504 meetings as needed if student has a medical need addressed in the meeting

Supply ordering and restocking of first aid kits

CPS reports/police reports

etc....

It's a lot and some days are more busy than others. It's the only nursing job I have and I admit I love it. Even when I have an exhausted, stressed, tearful day I still want to go back to work. Considering other jobs I've had, that's a great sign.

As far as attitudes, my staff pretty much appreciates me and what I do. The administration is more than willing to back me up. But it's difficult to get help on certain things. The mantra, "That's not my job" is very popular around here.

And lice? They don't jump or fly. You'll be fine. I've been doing this a little over a year and I've only seen live lice bugs twice out of probably 80 cases of nits/lice.

NewYorkerGirl · Jun 2, 2014

I would like to be a school nurse one day. I completed a clinical setting in the schools for public health, and how the RN is paid differs greatly regionally. I've heard of nurses being paid at the same rate as teachers, and then I've heard of nurses being paid hourly as support personnel. In my county, they are hired and paid by the health department, and basically stationed at the public schools. They're not school employees.

NutmeggeRN, BSN · Jun 3, 2014

When I started I came in on the teacher scale as step two even though I had 11 years nursing experience.. but I have caught up and am making decent $$ now (I also have my MS) which was a big bump!....Best job I have ever had!

nurs26 · Jun 4, 2014

I work in a small elementary school. In my district the office deals with immunizations. I only give meds and take care of sick or injured kids. The pay is awful, but it is worth the time I now to spend with my young children. I actually learn alot each year. I see about 20-40 kids a day. I document alot. I work 7:45-3:30pm No overtime. Don't worry about getting lice. I communicate alot with parents. The only 2 things I don't like is the staff think I should know everything related to medicine because I am a nurse. I am often asked to diagnos their symptoms. I also don't like the face that in case of a medical emergency it's only me. I don't have other nurses or Dr's available to help. I enjoy my job. I worked at a large medical clinic before school nursing and I don't miss that because of all the changes with Obama care.