school nurse substitute

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Hello everyone!

I have been trying to get into school nursing and finally landed a position as a school nurse substitute! The pay is is less than half of what I made previously....but its worth it because of the great hours, great experience (I am currently trying to get into a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner program and I need pediatric experience. I tried to get a job in peds offices and childrens hospitals but they all required experience), and its a foot in the door for a perm position. They told me I would be needed alot. I just have a few questions for all you school nurses please...

~What are some good books that would help someone brand new to school nursing?

~What are some of the biggest challenges you all face?

~Do most of you have peds experience?

~Have any of you gone on to become Pediatric nurse practitioners?

Thank you all so much!!!:nurse:

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Books:

Selekman's School Nurse Textbook http://www.nasn.org

I like the Lexi Comp Pediatric Drug Dosage book

AAP Guide to Infectious Diseases in Schools or the AAP Red Book.

I did have Peds experience, did not get the PNP, but great move with the health care reform. consider FNP also

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Yeah!! Somebody replied! Thanks so much..I will check out that book. What role does a PNP have in the school setting? I searched this forum and could not find any info.

Thanks again :yeah:

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Oh, btw..what type of peds experience did you have before school nursing? I have only worked with adults (and newborns in L&D). I have two small children so I am not totally in the dark when it comes to kids...lol! I am still pretty nervous! Thanks!

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The role of the PNP in school depends on the state or if there is a school based health clinic. Without a primary care school based health clinic, typically you would not be working within the full role of the PNP in the school.

The biggest difference of working with kids is the assessment skills needed. You cannot rely just on what the kids can tell you. I had quite a few years of NICU and acute medical and surgical peds experience at Children's hospitals prior to school nursing.

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Specializes in Pediatrics.

Thanks Martha~

When I was hired they told me that their school nurses came from various backgrounds, not just peds. I did try for 4-5 months to get an interview with a large childrens hospital here, but only wanted experienced peds nurses.

I will start a PNP program in the fall so that will definitely help!

I will have a one day 6 hour training day and then I am on my own, is this typical? They told me that there is always someone to call with questions and at each school there is a manual that has all the info I need..

Thanks!

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The National Association of School Nurses http://www.nasn.org ran a poll on what type of experience school nurses had prior. The results surprised me.

http://www.nasn.org/Default.aspx?tabid=613

I had more than 1 year full time experience in an acute pediatric setting prior to school nursing.

Yes (280) 45%

No (320) 52%

I had neither adult nor pediatric nursing experience prior to school nursing. (17) 3%

This week's poll can be responded to by going to the NASN home page: http://www.nasn.org top right hand side of the page.

The poll question:

Do you live within the geographic boundaries of the school district you serve?

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