SAHM, haven't worked in a long time, thinking of applying for school nurse job.

[Oedgar]

Before having kids, I worked in a Pediatric Hospital Pulmomary Unit for 1.5 years, and then an allergist's office for 6 more fulltime/2 more part-time years. My last working days were in 2008, before my boss (doc) at the allergy office retired.

My teacher's aide friend just called and nagged me to apply for the school nurse job. I realize now there is a lot more to it than just handing out band-aids for boo boos. I had some experience with Type I diabetic kids, but that was in 1994! Nobody even had insulin pumps back then. I do feel very comfortable with the routine childhood ailments, and especially asthma, due to working on the inpatient pulmonary unit and in the allergist's office.

Am I crazy for even thinking about applying? Where could I get further education for this? I have been home so long because my husband's crazy schedule really demanded that somebody be home to run the show. But now my kids are both school age, and the hours of a school nurse really appeal to me. Also, elementary school is my favorite age of kiddo. I have enjoyed my own kids and also volunteering in the classes.

[bunsterj]

I had been out of nursing for 8 years before I became the sole school nurse for our district and it worked for me. I made contact with some other school nurses in the state to use as a points of reference, had contact information for the last two former school nurses (both had offered their assistance), purchased a current pediatric textbook as well as a current drug guide, joined the state school nurses association, made myself known to local health department nurses as well as the local diabetic educator and one of the respiratory therapists from the hospital, joined the school nurses mailing list, and dove right in. The first year I was lost mainly because there were not clear cut policies and procedures for most things that dealt with the nurse. Good luck.

[luvschoolnursing, LPN]

:aln:Stuck that little icon there because that is how you feel sometimes. All the advice the above poster gave you is great. Two years away really isn't that long, and you will probably do fine, but you will need to network with other nurses, take any classes that are offered, etc. If you have other nurses in your district, learn all you can from them. If you get involved with other school nurses, they wil lbe great resources. Enjoy!