School Nurse Interview Questions?

[k1p1ssk, BSN, RN]

My interview was many questions about why I want to be a school nurse, and what I would do in various scenarios - usually something like "how would you prioritize students who are lined up outside your office" and "how would you respond to a recess call about a student who fell from the swings and can't get up?" Also, how my previous experience will help me as a school nurse.

They may ask you about how familiar you are with FERPA (Think HIPPA for education) and IEPs and 504plans. It might be a good idea to look up your state's dept of ED and see if there is a basic parent's guide to special ED available to review. Also, given your peds case management experience, I wouldn't be surprised if they ask you about health plans.

Good questions to ask them are things about high-needs/medically fragile students, what kind of behavioral supports are in place for students with challenging behaviors, and how communication/support with/from other nurses in the district seems to work/who you report to. 

Good luck! 

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

I'd look up diabetic management and treatment in the schools (many have omnipods and dexcoms but newer diabetics won't. Look at how to carb count, figure out insulin to carb ratios, algorithms for insulin (the Dr will give). Also glucagon treatment. You won't be put on the spot I wouldn't think but it helps to at least have a general idea of all that.

Look up epi pens, inhalers, and emergency seizure meds (both rectal and nasal) as well as protocols for those. ADHD meds are common. You won't need to know about each and every one for your interview but just look up common side effects (they are all very similar). 
 
You should be strong in assessment skills, first aid, handling emergencies on your own, and teaching. So if you're good are one or more of those things bring it up in the interview. However don't act like you know how to do it all. They'll know you are lying. Just let them know you're willing to learn. Also your experience in case management will help because we also have to manage student and family cases a lot. It's a little different I'm sure but we do facilitate helping a student get needed medication at school, a plan for school to accommodate a disability of some kind (504 plan), helping families find resources for basic needs, etc so play that up.

Good questions are what kind of orientation can you expect (and it's probably way shorter than you will want) and then who you can go to for questions after that. Ask where you can find protocols for everything you'll be doing. 

It's a weird world for nurses working in a school. The school system's number one priority is education. Your job is to take care of health needs and emergencies. The population is healthy for the most part which is good but we seem to be on the same hierarchy level as the cooks and aides it feels like. It doesn't matter if you have a college degree- you are there to facilitate learning and help the teachers in their eyes. We get dumped on a lot. You will see lots of students with psychosomatic issues. Many are bored and just want out of class. Just something to be aware. Best wishes!

[Nurse Paula]

I have been a school nurse for over 20 years.  You need to stress confidentiality.  Teachers can be very nosy and want to know everything about your clinic.  You will also be asked situational questions.  "What would you do if" type questions. Be confident and if you don't know the answer to a question, state that you would research it and get back.  Also stress that you will keep your principal in the loop about important issues in the clinic.  Principals do not like to get a phone call about the nurse or clinic.  I find it is always helpful to tell the principal immediately after a "sticky" phone call with a parent.  Also let them know about serious injuries right away.  Stress that you want to become a vital part of the office staff because they will be your backup.  SMILE! 

[RatherBHiking, BSN, RN]

We are on the same contract as teachers but definitely not part of the administration. I've lost count how many times a teacher has tried to boss me around and I put my foot down and explain why that's not best or I agree or want to do that to have them run to the principal who always backs the teacher. It's like that for all our 30+ nurses in our district but some principals are more supportive than others and I finally have a good one this year. However I haven't let my guard down. I've been thrown under the bus in front of a parent to save a teacher's @ss more than once. I'm glad it's not like that everywhere though!

[Beginning15, BSN, RN]

I have enjoyed my pediatric case mgmt job. I loved developing relationships with my patients, families, and even their dogs, LOL.  I have enjoyed working with the dedicated nurses caring for these kids, answering their questions, giving suggestions, and being there just to listen when it's been a bad day.  It's been awesome to see my patients learn to walk, talk, overcome obstacles, learn to eat, or even "graduate" from our care by having trachs and g-tubes removed.  However, being with a home health company meant I have had to drive a LOT to  complete my visits; some weeks a few hundred miles There is a lot of paperwork involved and deadlines for getting things into insurance for reauthorizing hours. We take calls from the nurses working with our kids, put new orders in for meds and changes in care plans, talk to parents, take complaints, counsel nurses, do yearly evaluations on them, check off skills on new hires, go over new hire quizzes they don't do well on, deliver gloves and lab supplies to homes. It's a very busy schedule, and can be a very stressful job, but it's been really rewarding.  I just got tired of all the driving, and the stress. I am going to stay on with them PRN in the field.  I hope this answered your question! 

[Nurse Paula]

I have the same contract as a teacher.  I am considered to be part of the administration.  I am sad that Rather B Camping is made to feel less than she is.  

[Beginning15, BSN, RN]

Thank you all so much for your replies. I don't know how I feel the interview went. I did get the glucose question and a question about seizures, priorities, and I hope my case management and prior administrative skills will help me. I'm supposed to hear something next week. I'm not sure how many were being interviewed this week. 

[JustRNingAlong, BSN]

I'd like to ask you to share about your pediatric case management experience?  Did you like it?  What was it like?  I've always considered doing that in the future.  Please share more.  Thanks! ❤️