School Nurse Job Pros/Cons

[JG1977]

Hello School Nurses!!

I am trying to decide if I should make the jump to a school RN position. I have already interviewed. Currently work in a specialty clinic.

Pros/cons? Any thoughts from those that are school RNs would be much appreciated. Plus, if you know if there is a significant pay difference in being certified school RN? Also, are you on the same pension plan as the teachers? Thank you in advance!

[kidzcare]

I echo what everyone has said.

Pros: schedule, summer off, pension, home by 3:30.

Cons: pay (though I will make more once I'm certified, though it will still be less than a full time nursing position pretty much anywhere else), unappreciated

[Krks]

May have an opportunity for school nurse at a charter school...I'm a new RN BSN, worked over 10 years as lpn..worked in education 12 years teaching.,.at my age, over 50, this would be a good fit....pay is not bad...cons for me would be paying pet care over 400$ a month?...any thoughts on it being my first RN position?

[beachynurse, ASN, BSN]

I've been a nurse for 35 years, and a school nurse for the last 15. I have a lot of varied experience that I found to be very helpful in school nursing. I would never reccomend this job to a new grad, or to someone with no med surg experience.

Pros: holidays, weekends, summers off. No nights or evenings. Kids are awesome! If you are able to work independently with minimal or no supervision this can be a great job.

Cons: Being the only medical professional in a building can be a little daunting, especially if you are supervised by a non-,medical administrator. You really need to have experience with good assessment and critical thinking skills, because in an emergency, you are it, the only decision maker. Difficult parents. Teachers and administrators thinking they are nurses. Must be able to work independently.

[Krks]

Thank you for your advice!