School Nurse Interview

[lynnfc]

Hi

I was School Nurse in UK for 5 years and after moving to US 2 years ago, i now have my first S/N interview next week for a High School. Any advice welcome on what i may be asked.

I believe school nursing to be very different here than in UK, in that i was employed by health, and based in a Health Centre rather than an actual school. Thought of coming under "education " worries me slightly.

Thanks in advance.

[Jw1724]

Hi

I was School Nurse in UK for 5 years and after moving to US 2 years ago, i now have my first S/N interview next week for a High School. Any advice welcome on what i may be asked.

I believe school nursing to be very different here than in UK, in that i was employed by health, and based in a Health Centre rather than an actual school. Thought of coming under "education " worries me slightly.

Thanks in advance.

Some questions I got:

Many questions on HIPAA, who I can/cannot give advice to

Questions regarding different situations: "frequent fliers" etc

Questions on my comfortability doing in-services to staff

Protocol for certain situations: ie head injuries, stomach aches, etc

Questions on my assessment abilities and confidence in doing that

How I would log visits to the office, etc

Keep in mind, my school does not have a set method of doing things and its up to me to reorganize and rebuild their school nurse position- so some of these questions were more of "opinion" answers

[JudithL_in_NH]

Hi

I was School Nurse in UK for 5 years and after moving to US 2 years ago, i now have my first S/N interview next week for a High School. Any advice welcome on what i may be asked.

I interviewed for a HS position at the same time I was offered my current (elementary) position. The principal was very interested in how I would handle an assessment for substance abuse (drugs/alcohol) and the care/advice I'd give to pregnant teens/kids wanting referral for birth control.

The oddest question was "Will you do anything I tell you to do?" I replied that I would comply with his requests provided they didn't violate professional ethics, standards of care, or my nurse practice act and state pharmacy laws. I was not offered the job and later found out the current nurse was leaving after one year on the job because the principal frequently asked her to violate all of the above (give meds without MD order, alter documentation, etc.).

For me, this points out one of the primary problems of working for a non-medical boss--they often don't "get" that we answer to a higher power and are at risk of losing our licenses if we don't follow our NPA. They are accustomed to telling staff what to do and having them comply. A parent will want to drop off an expired inhaler, with no MD order, and have three siblings "share" it--and the principal doesn't understand why a nurse can't do that just 'cause he's the boss and he said to.

I'm glad I ended up where I did, as I think elementary is a better fit for me.

[lynnfc]

Thank you both, this has given me food for thought before interview tomorrow.