Questions for school nurses.

peaceful2100, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2015

Hello,

I'm a 2nd year school nurse (I have been a RN for 12 years). To answer your questions.

1) My district prefers nurses with Pediatric experience and/or ER experience. They do hire nurses from other backgrounds but they interview their preference first and go from there.

2) Most of the time it does not. You do not have the support team of other nurses when there are emergencies but it's not bad. I like not having to deal with drama, politics, and people who are not carrying their weight. I work in a high school and where I'm at we have security and they are police officers and so they are trained too so they are my support in an emergency situation. I have never felt alone in an emergency situation. Plus, EMS arrives pretty quickly when needed.

3) I actually applied for elementary school never in a million years thought I would like working in a high school. They told me they really need someone for the high school and even though they had elementary openings they felt out of all the people they interviewed I would be the better suited person for the high school. I hesitantly accepted. Working in a high school is definitely different. I hear of all kinds of crazy things. I'm glad I agreed to do high school. I really enjoy working with them.

If you do NOT have a tough skin get one now. You definitely need one working in a high school. I had to develop mine real fast. These kids will definitely try you especially when you are new and they know you are new.

4) I was told before my first year was up that I have been the longest nurse this school has seen in a very long time. I love my job! I do find it overall fulfilling. Sometimes stressful but what nursing job isn't stressful? We all have to learn to manage the stress instead of allowing the stress to manage us. Then, it becomes better!

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Aug 4, 2015

1. Check with your district but ours requires a Bachelors degree and five years nursing experience. Peds and ER experience good but really any type of acute care good. You need excellent assessment skills. Experience working with kids good whether it's at work or volunteer. We're also required to obtain our school nurse certification within first year of hire. It's good to get your foot in the door subbing if you can. Many of our nurses are hired through subbing.

2. I'm not lonely as I work with a lot of people but I do miss working with other nurses.

3. You have to start out wherever they need you. There are more elementary schools, a few middle schools, and even less high schools so it depends on where the opening is. Also, you may get moved around or have to work all three at once. So if you truly don't like working with small kids you may want to reconsider or sub first to see if it's something you could.

4. I do find it fulfilling. There are many opportunities to make a difference.

Determined2017 · Aug 5, 2015

Thank you both for taking time to answer my questions. I really appreciate it!

I'm starting a ADN nursing program in the fall but in NC you do have to have your BSN to become a school nurse so I would have to further my education.

My interaction with small children has been in a daycare setting for about 3 years. I became a little burned out and I was 17-20. I think at the time is was too stressful for me. Now I volunteer monthly as a Sunday teacher and feel more comfortable but you always have that one rowdy kid. I will definitely sub before jumping in head first. I did not consider the fact of more elementary schools. Thank you for the advice.

RatherBHiking, BSN, RN · Aug 6, 2015

You're welcome! I do want to add-working in a daycare at that age for that long-I sure see how that could burn you out on kids somewhat. That's great experience and keep up the church volunteering if you can. I used to teach children's church and you are so right about that one (or 2-3) rowdy ones! As long as you can work one on one with a child, can relate to them, make them feel comfortable, and be a little nurturing you will be fine. Occasionally you may have to babysit a hyper child waiting on the parents to get there which can feel like forever but thankfully it's not too often. You may have to give a class presentation but usually the teacher is there to help keep the kids in line and the kids are in school so they know it's not play time like they think at church sometimes. Good luck in your program!

SwampCat, BSN · Aug 10, 2015

Some of the school around here want 5+ years experience but one Middle College is interviewing me (new grad). I noticed the inner city school RN postings often did not have any requirements other than a license. I am like you, I prefer adolescents over children. My advisor (school nurse turned psych instructor) suggested focusing on mental health and because of that I did my capstone on an adolescent unit in a psychiatric facility. This helped me write a kickin' cover letter about how I was able to form therapeutic relationships, explore sensitive issues with tact and patience, etc. That clinical was my favorite clinical experience, although I often felt as if I was losing my m/s skills, and was/am nervous applying for m/s positions (still doing it, regardless).

I also had the opportunity to do a school nurse clinical rotation 1 day a week in a local high school (I made my preference known to the clinical instructor that I wanted high school; Many instructors will shuffle things to accommodate a particular interest). This nurse was incredible and had a great rapport with the students. She had a LPN working in the office with her (school of 900+

Farawyn · Aug 10, 2015

Hello School Nurses,
I am interested in becoming a school nurse (highschool) one day and had a couple of questions.
1.) what type of nursing experience should I gain before applying for school nurse positions? I had over 20 years hospital experience. I am also mom to 2 teenagers.
2.) Does it get lonely being the only nurse? YES!!! This is why I am a frequent poster here. I need other nurses to bounce things off of.
3.) I know this may sound funny but I don't necessarily enjoy small children but I do like teenagers and is why I want to work in a highschool. Do you have to start off in elementary school?
I didn't. The teenage population is a good fit for me. I'm a bit snarky and firm, but also know when to pull the mom card.
4. Lastly, do you find school nursing to be fulfilling? Jury is still out. I love the kids, love the hours, hate the pay, and miss the more "nursey" stuff. This will be my second year in, and I recently started a home health per visit job, hoping to find balance of the stuff that doesn't work for me.
Thanks in advance for your answers!

Best of luck to you!

Farawyn · Aug 10, 2015

Some of the school around here want 5+ years experience but one Middle College is interviewing me (new grad). I noticed the inner city school RN postings often did not have any requirements other than a license. I am like you, I prefer adolescents over children. My advisor (school nurse turned psych instructor) suggested focusing on mental health and because of that I did my capstone on an adolescent unit in a psychiatric facility. This helped me write a kickin' cover letter about how I was able to form therapeutic relationships, explore sensitive issues with tact and patience, etc. That clinical was my favorite clinical experience, although I often felt as if I was losing my m/s skills, and was/am nervous applying for m/s positions (still doing it, regardless).
I also had the opportunity to do a school nurse clinical rotation 1 day a week in a local high school (I made my preference known to the clinical instructor that I wanted high school; Many instructors will shuffle things to accommodate a particular interest). This nurse was incredible and had a great rapport with the students. She had a LPN working in the office with her (school of 900+

So much of school nursing is the psych stuff. Drugs, cutting, suicidal ideation, mental illness, eating disorders, abuse, rape... we see it all. Luckily I share my suite with an amazing SW.

Determined2017 · Aug 11, 2015

Thank you for the answers everyone!