Advice for ICU nurse to get into school nursing.

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Specializes in School Nursing.
I never really thought about school nurses, it seems really fun. I love children and everyone in my family was suprise when I decided to be a nurse, b/e they think I would be a wonderful teacher. I was wondering if u have to have a BSN for school nursing?Do they accept NP? Do u make about the same salary as a nurse in the hospital? It seem like a great job. Working with children, setting up educational sessions, reporting child abuse and making an impact on a childs life.

Hi Foxyhill21 !

I have been a school nurse for 14 years and I love it. You will not regret being a school nurse ! I earn $ 30 K per year which is actually 192 days per year. The pay is not bad for the area of the north east I am in. It's true that there is a lot of paper work in school nursing,and you do deal with a lot of people, but it's that way wherever you are a nurse. The kids are my biggest reward though. Each day is a new adventure and sometimes my daily agenda goes out the window....so remember to be FLEXIBLE !! :rotfl:

You will love it I'm sure ! Oh and by the way, I am an LPN ! Yes, my school system does hire LPN's too. It's great ! Good Luck to you and God Bless !

LPN 90

crich

13 Posts

I never really thought about school nurses, it seems really fun. I love children and everyone in my family was suprise when I decided to be a nurse, b/e they think I would be a wonderful teacher. I was wondering if u have to have a BSN for school nursing?Do they accept NP? Do u make about the same salary as a nurse in the hospital? It seem like a great job. Working with children, setting up educational sessions, reporting child abuse and making an impact on a childs life.

Hi foxyhill,

In TN the official title School Nurse goes to RNs, but LPNs are hired as nurses in our systems and do a wonderful job. Their care must be directed by a RN or physician. That is the law, however they do have a lot of autonomy. By NP are you referring to a practical nurse or Nurse Practicioner? I assume LPN. What state are you in? In TN, salary varies a lot. Of course our cost of living is lower than some other states. I was hired as the only school nurse in my system. If you are the only l, you have to be RN, unless your system has a contract with someone like the health dept. Then as an LPN you would work under their guidelines. My school system wanted a nurse with a bachelors degree, because I make the same as the teachers scale. They begin about 29 k with no experience. Of course this is only for 7 hr, 200 days of work. But I also have a health report that I have to do after school is out to turn into the state. When I took dollar for hours worked, I found that my salary is pretty comparable to hospital salaries. Not prn pay of course. But understand that not all school nurse RNs are hired on teacher's salary and may make less in TN. This year they added another position for an LPN, due to increase in number of procedures. Are you currently in LPN or RN school, or are you out of school?

foxyhill21

429 Posts

Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

I was referring to a Nurse practicioner and I live in Tx. Thanks for the information

Hi foxyhill,

In TN the official title School Nurse goes to RNs, but LPNs are hired as nurses in our systems and do a wonderful job. Their care must be directed by a RN or physician. That is the law, however they do have a lot of autonomy. By NP are you referring to a practical nurse or Nurse Practicioner? I assume LPN. What state are you in? In TN, salary varies a lot. Of course our cost of living is lower than some other states. I was hired as the only school nurse in my system. If you are the only l, you have to be RN, unless your system has a contract with someone like the health dept. Then as an LPN you would work under their guidelines. My school system wanted a nurse with a bachelors degree, because I make the same as the teachers scale. They begin about 29 k with no experience. Of course this is only for 7 hr, 200 days of work. But I also have a health report that I have to do after school is out to turn into the state. When I took dollar for hours worked, I found that my salary is pretty comparable to hospital salaries. Not prn pay of course. But understand that not all school nurse RNs are hired on teacher's salary and may make less in TN. This year they added another position for an LPN, due to increase in number of procedures. Are you currently in LPN or RN school, or are you out of school?

foxyhill21

429 Posts

Specializes in trauma ICU,TNCC, NRP, PALS, ACLS.

THanks for the information

Hi foxyhill,

In TN the official title School Nurse goes to RNs, but LPNs are hired as nurses in our systems and do a wonderful job. Their care must be directed by a RN or physician. That is the law, however they do have a lot of autonomy. By NP are you referring to a practical nurse or Nurse Practicioner? I assume LPN. What state are you in? In TN, salary varies a lot. Of course our cost of living is lower than some other states. I was hired as the only school nurse in my system. If you are the only l, you have to be RN, unless your system has a contract with someone like the health dept. Then as an LPN you would work under their guidelines. My school system wanted a nurse with a bachelors degree, because I make the same as the teachers scale. They begin about 29 k with no experience. Of course this is only for 7 hr, 200 days of work. But I also have a health report that I have to do after school is out to turn into the state. When I took dollar for hours worked, I found that my salary is pretty comparable to hospital salaries. Not prn pay of course. But understand that not all school nurse RNs are hired on teacher's salary and may make less in TN. This year they added another position for an LPN, due to increase in number of procedures. Are you currently in LPN or RN school, or are you out of school?

crich

13 Posts

I was referring to a Nurse practicioner and I live in Tx. Thanks for the information

Hi foxyhill 21

In TN there is a program called Comprehensive School Health. There were 10 pilot systems that wrote and received grants. One of them is the county system in which I live. Unfortunately the city system that I work in did not receive this benefit. One of the schools in that system is located about 20 miles out. The school health manager used some of this money to set up a clinic for students and staff. This was staffed with a nurse and NP. Salaray was paid from this grant. During the time of the grant, the manager worked with local MDs and HMOs to get a number to file for payment by TN care. This is similar to medicaid in other states. They did get this number approved for the school system and the NP and nurse is funded by the system via small payments from families and TN care. They are self-sufficient and the NP goes to different schools on different days. It is a God send for many of these students who would otherwise not get healthcare when needed, because their parents can't afford it. I wish my system had this. So there are possible options out there. Some systems may pay straight out.

Have a great week.

NE_Chris

13 Posts

Specializes in Home Care.
I never really thought about school nurses, it seems really fun. I love children and everyone in my family was suprise when I decided to be a nurse, b/e they think I would be a wonderful teacher. I was wondering if u have to have a BSN for school nursing?Do they accept NP? Do u make about the same salary as a nurse in the hospital? It seem like a great job. Working with children, setting up educational sessions, reporting child abuse and making an impact on a childs life.

NPs are used a lot by colleges in my area, because they can give prescriptions. And at a college they also need more coverage and week-end hours. The good part about that is if you (or any family member) want to take courses they are usually reduced or at no cost. NPs are also used by school-based health clinics, which are often seperate from the school nurse's office. The role of the school nurse team leader is usually a MSN or a NP. Of course a NP can always be a school nurse, but the postion of school nurse team leader or NP in a school based health clinic or NP at a college infirmary does pay more. This is usually less than what you could earn at a hospital, but there are different perks that may make this worthwhile.

carla jean

3 Posts

Hi

I am an experienced critical care nurse with skills in all aspects of the ICU.

My loving boyfriend is a school teacher and gets w/e, holidays, and summers off. How dreamy is that for someone that hasn't had christmas off since 1999! ..ME..

It would be nice to have the same schedule so we can plan trips and spend quality time together without the burnout of the ICU wailing at your brain! And to do some different type of nursing. I do have peds experience.

What would the right steps be to apply? What type of job is it? Lots of paper push, or being with the kids who are sick or think they are sick.

I would love to be back on a day job and become "normal" again.

anyway.. any hints, tips, suggestions, reason's not to, or reasons to go for it.. etc. etc. would be so much appreciated!

thank you school nurses! :thankya:

Laura.

laura, you will never regret going into school nursing!! alot of it is what you make it but i have sone it for 5 yrs and love it. i've been a nurse for 26 yrs. you will find all your hosp. exsperience will be a blessing.

nurse carla

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