Questions about becoming a school nurse.

[RachH]

I just started my BSN program and I'm thinking about what I want to do when I graduate. I keep saying I want to be a CRNA, but in my heart I feel like it's just because they are paid so well. Do I really want to do that for the next 40 years of my life?

I keep coming back to how wonderful it sounds to be a school nurse. I used to work in an elementary school and loved it. I also love the idea of having summers off to travel or work as a camp nurse (I had an amazing time being a camp counselor when I was younger.) And then, when my husband and I are ready for children, the schedule would be perfect.

But, I've struggled to put myself through school. I will have loans to repay, and if I want to have children, I need to know that I will be financially secure. So here are my questions, for all of you wonderful school nurses out there:

- Once I get my BSN, I know that I need to get one year of hospital experience, just to keep my options open along the line. What experience do you think would give me the best chance of being hired as a school nurse in a few years? Pediatric ICU? I used to work as a critical care CNA, and I really enjoy it, but I can't see myself doing it forever.

- The local school district has job listings for school nurses, and the salary range is $45,000 to $73,000. Besides experience as a school nurse (which I won't have,) what can I do to up my salary? Is it beneficial to be a NP (and if so, which kind) or to pursue another kind of graduate degree?

- Just from what I read on this forum, I know that nurses are either paid terribly or they are similar to the teachers. In my district, they have the same as the teachers. How common is this? If my husband got a job in another city/state one day, how likely is it that I'd be back to eating ramen?

- Is there anything else that you think I should know about becoming/being a school nurse?

Thanks in advance for you answers!

[Flare, ASN, BSN]

so here are my questions, for all of you wonderful school nurses out there:

- once i get my bsn, i know that i need to get one year of hospital experience, just to keep my options open along the line. what experience do you think would give me the best chance of being hired as a school nurse in a few years? pediatric icu? i used to work as a critical care cna, and i really enjoy it, but i can't see myself doing it forever. peds may be helpful, but the important thing is that you work in an area thet will hone your critical thinking skills. remember, a school nurse typically works alone and needs to be comfortable making judgements and decisions independently. i worked in ortho/ trauma.

- the local school district has job listings for school nurses, and the salary range is $45,000 to $73,000. besides experience as a school nurse (which i won't have,) what can i do to up my salary? is it beneficial to be a np (and if so, which kind) or to pursue another kind of graduate degree? a masters will up your salary by a bit, but being a np won't necessarily provide any true beneift. in fact, i tend to think school nursing would waste an np's talents.

- just from what i read on this forum, i know that nurses are either paid terribly or they are similar to the teachers. in my district, they have the same as the teachers. how common is this? if my husband got a job in another city/state one day, how likely is it that i'd be back to eating ramen? it really depends on the region, union involvement and things like that.

- is there anything else that you think i should know about becoming/being a school nurse? peruse this forum. we have a lot of really good threads that can give you a lot of insight!

thanks in advance for you answers!

you're welcome!!

[Allie911]

I started out working pediatrics, but I really wish I would've had some ER experience. Knowing first aid and triage skills would be beneficial. I think working a few years in any hospital setting is sufficient though. While working in the hospital you can try to get a job as a school nurse substitute, then you could get a feel for if it is really something you enjoy and it would look great on a resume. I also teach the CNA class at the high school, it ups the pay a little. It might be something you can look into, as long as you have CNA experience and work as an RN you could add teaching to your job description.

[bergren]

Whatever you do, pick something you think you are going to love. The first year as a new grad is a tough one, steep learning curve. Pick a hospital with a good reputation and know for strong support and leadership for nurses.

Several of us on this forum started in NICU. With the increases in NICU grads coming to school and 10 - 25% of kids who are medically fragile and require ICU level skills, with chronic illnesses and disabilities in school, it was a good background for my school nurse jobs.