school nursing as a new grad?

[veryvirgo]

hi everyone. im from socal los angeles area! I passed my NCLEX back in July and have applied to countless positions and new grad residencies, even snf and outpatient and haven't landed anything. I am not being picky. I don't have the option to move away, and student loans are already due. I have years of customer service but unfortunately I have no healthcare experience.. . as many know it is difficult to land a job as a new grad in socal. I am super depressed and rather desperate to just start anywhere at this point. I only have 4 more months before im not considered a new grad anymore.

I got a call to interview for a school nursing agency by the name of Ro Health. my question to all of you is, what are your thoughts on starting in school nursing as a new grad? also if anyone has worked for this agency before? my worries are that this isn't considered acute care and therefore once my new grad status expires, I won't have the minimum "acute care" experience to apply to regular RN positions. I KNOW this is not ideal, I would love to start in a hospital in ANY unit, but unfortunately this is the reality I'm in right now. any advice or thoughts would be appreciated, please no negativity.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Hi there,

Congrats on starting your new career. I will speak from 32 years of experience in school nursing. I think you should try and sub first to get an idea of what school nursing is.

• It is hard.
• You are (often) alone. You don't know what you don't know.
• Kids that medically complex are in every school.
  • Think G-Tubes,
  • Vents
  • Type 1 DM with carb counting and insulin calculations.
  • Seizure disorders
• Some nurses have made the successful transition to school nursing as a new grad, but I would say it is the exception, not the rule. It will depend on your states hiring rules as well.
• There are agencies that provide 1:1 services but I am not familiar witht heir requirements, some may train  you on the vent care etc.

Good Luck and keep us posted

[Lpn to RN]

I agree with NutmeggeRN, BSN, subbing is a great way to see if school nursing is the right fit for you.

Personally, I believe you should have at least one year's experience before going into school nursing. Either pediatrics or even med-surg. Even urgent care background would be good, as some days I feel like a glorified urgent care. LOL!