Some school districts moving to LPNs to save money

[Bec1164]

My RN friend (past co-worker) left the hospital and went to work for a nearby school district as a school nurse 3 years ago. She emailed me recently and asked if I would be interested in doing school nursing because they had been informed that due to district and statewide educational budget cuts, they would now be using mostly LPNs to save money. (I expect to interview in June.) Some districts already use LPNs for a larger portion of their staff.

I would like to know what some current school nurses think about school nursing as a career, what the salary range is particularly for any LPNs currently in school nursing, what are your likes and dislikes, job duties, and how do you get paid (I understand you can opt for year round or just school year pay). Do they base salary on years of experience? If they pay 500 dollars a week, is that $500 a week for 36 weeks=salary offer--- which would be $18000/yr? Or is it $500 x52 weeks= salary offer--- $26,000 year? (which you can either take as 52 weeks pay or 36 weeks pay?) I am just trying to get an idea of what to expect when I interview for the job, and a salary offer is presented. I currently make $18 an hour and only work m-f 32 hours a week in an chart review/case managment position. I would love the opportunity to work a school year schedule and be able to have summers off, where I could work if I wanted to or not.

I appreciate any information and tips you have!:)

[TheCommuter, BSN, RN]

School nursing is a seemingly good career because school districts tend to offer excellent fringe benefits such as good health insurance and retirement plans. The hours are conducive to family and social life. The working conditions permit more autonomy than bedside nursing in a facility. The only problem for me would be the extremely low pay and the fact that my clients would be children and/or adolescents (the pediatric population is not my favorite bunch).

[mydee]

Thank you for your posting. I am going to start a LPN program next fall. I allways wonder why schools only hired RN for school nursing. It gives me hope at finding a job!

[xoemmylouox, ASN, RN]

Most schools don't even have a nurse there anymore. I know one nurse who now splits her time between 2 schools in one week.. So every week she is at school A - 3 days a week and school - B only 2. Sadly schools are being forced to cut everywhere, teachers, nursing, and specialty programs.. It's a sad state of affairs if you ask me..