Reccomended Background for school nursing?

[mslove]

I'm currently a nursing student, about to begin my second semester. I have been interested in school nursing since day 1. Obviously, one would need experience in the field prior to school nursing since there is much more autonomy there than say, in a hospital, and you need to know what you're doing.

My question is, what sort of nursing background would you recommend? I live in western NY state and there aren't a lot of clear guidelines that I can find for school nursing...most schools here hire through a central organization (the organization also includes their own schools for developmentally disabled children, and they hire a lot of school nurses themselves). They say the following on their job opening page regarding qualifications:

1. Registered Professional Nurse – Possession of a valid NYS License and

current Registration required.

2. School Health or pediatric experience preferred.

Do you think I should apply to be a substitute health aide during this school year (and to work full or part time next summer) to have that "school experience" on my resume?

Is it good to try and pursue pediatrics upon graduation? That's also easier said than done as you usually get what you get in terms of nursing jobs here when you're a new nurse. Would med-surg be good preparation?

What was YOUR background prior to school nursing? How many years of nursing experience did you have before going into school nursing? My best friend's mother is a school nurse on Long Island, and she was a nurse at a gastroenterology office (I think part time, this was when her children were very little), then she was an OR nurse for a while (she loved that), and then she got hired as a school nurse at her kids school district; she's been there for about 15 years now; she has been moved around to a couple different schools in the district though. But she loves it.

Also, here in NY there is something called a nurse-teacher. Does anyone have knowledge on this? Not every nurse is one, and I feel that right now more aren't, than are. But I feel like this may be the *new thing* and I was wondering what the education was like for that. Does one usually pursue the nurse-teacher status after they're hired as a school nurse?

Thanks in advance to anyone that can answer all my questions. I appreciate it!

[MinnieMomRN]

Hi!

I'm in Massachusetts. To work as a School Nurse in a public school here, you must be an BSN-RN, have 2 years clinical experience, and pass the teachers licensure exam to get an initial license as a School Nurse (nurse's are considered educators). Then you must within 5 years either become certified through a national accreditation association or be in the process of getting your Master's degree. It's a lot of experience and education for less money than hospital work (which I do per diem)! However, the school schedule is awesome. Mine is a job-share, three days a week; 9-2pm. For me, it's a great life balance, since I am available for my family but get 2 very different types of nursing. :redpinkhe

After graduation, I would recommend peds if you can get it. If not, any floor in an acute setting. Med-surg is great, because get to understand body systems well, and what happens when chronic health conditions go wrong, so to speak. You will hone your assessment skills and learn time-management (you will need both of these in the school setting).

Good Luck!!

[mslove]

Wow that IS a lot to be a school nurse there! You only need an ADN here, and it's not considered an educator, but like I said I'm seeing these "nurse-teacher" titles lately, but most still don't have that title. Thanks for you input :) My goal is to try and get peds, and if not that then any acute experience, and just keep trying and being persistent for a school nurse position, after I have a few years experience of course

[Artistyc1]

NY state has fewer school nurse teachers than they did in the past. There are fewer academic programs that offer it, and the schools often do not pay their school nurses on the teachers scale, so they don't have the same requirements as teachers do. That is why so many school nurses in NY state are ADN's. My district completely phased out school nurse teachers in the 90's, to save money. In NY state, to be a school nurse teacher requires a masters, and many districts do not wish to pay on that level.

[mslove]

NY state has fewer school nurse teachers than they did in the past. There are fewer academic programs that offer it, and the schools often do not pay their school nurses on the teachers scale, so they don't have the same requirements as teachers do. That is why so many school nurses in NY state are ADN's. My district completely phased out school nurse teachers in the 90's, to save money. In NY state, to be a school nurse teacher requires a masters, and many districts do not wish to pay on that level.

thank you so much for that info! I was confused on what that title actually was because you don't see it very often.

[truffles111]

i have been offered a school nurse position at both the high school level and early childhood level. i have only 1.5 yrs of nursing and it's in adult care...will i be in over my head?

[mycsm]

I was a peds nurse for about 3 yrs prior, but a registered nurse for almost 11 yrs. I became a sub nurse in the district FIRST, then was offered the position FIRST when something opened up. It gave me the chance to experience all grade levels and really see which grades I LOVE (middle school) and which grades I do not like (high school).